Potential Transformation of GDR Border Tower into a Tourist Destination
By Thorsten Pauly, with a dash of insight
Once patrolling Europe's most lethal frontier, it's now on the market and creating a stir - a vintage East German border watchtower in Cumlosen, Brandenburg, went under the hammer in Berlin on Friday, fetching a whopping 156,000 euros!
And the interest in this Cold War relic was anything but frigid. "It was a veritable bidding battle," confirmed Katja Heringhausen of German Real Estate Auctions AG to the German Press Agency. The structure sprang up in the late 70's - a rugged, utilitarian block of concrete, born to secure the border and keep unwanted traffic at bay.
The coveted tower was a hot commodity in the catalog, attracting 65 bidders. The opening offer was a mere 5,000 euros. Heringhausen: "I'd wager we've never seen such a massive demand." The sale was officially sealed on Friday, giving the buyer a two-month window to settle the amount.
As reported by media outlets, business tycoon Lutz Lange is now the new owner of the ex-border tower. The CEO of the Old Oil Mill in Wittenberge, Brandenburg, and the famed Elbe Resort, harbors plans to transform the tower into a tourist magnet, shedding light on Germany's partition and border conundrums.
The Fresh Face of History
The property sprawls across 3,683 square meters, with 180 square meters of usable space in the tower. Typical of GDR security facilities, the building is functional, robust, and lacking in refinement. The ground floor accommodates a tile-clad hallway, a bathroom, a technical room, and access to the annex. A concrete staircase leads down to the basement, while the upper floors housed the guard's living quarters, each with its distinct purpose. The third floor served as the watch post.
The annex: a one-story, rectangular building, boasting windows and once used as office space, is linked to the tower. Graffiti, neglect, and the elements have left their mark on the property.
The new steward of the East German tower will need nimble fingers and a knack for renovations and historical preservation!
The new owner's vision goes beyond a mere renovation. The tower will be tastefully restored to honor its historical significance, featuring structural repairs, safety improvements, and careful preservation of its original features. Exhibits about the history of the East German border, the division of Germany, and the Cold War era will be housed within. An observation platform will offer panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape, and interpretive signage and guided tours will provide valuable context.
Lutz Lange aims to create an immersive, educational experience that acknowledges the complex history of German division while delighting tourists interested in Cold War history and cultural heritage in the Brandenburg region. This unique tourist attraction promises to wisdom, wonder, and a nod to the past — right smack in the middle of the here and now.
The new owner plans to renovate and restore the East German border tower, transforming it into a tourist attraction that showcases the history of the Cold War and German division, offering an immersive, educational experience for visitors. As part of this lifestyle transformation, the tower will undergo structural repairs, safety improvements, and careful preservation of its original features, including the addition of exhibits about the history of the East German border and the Cold War era.
The revitalized tower will also feature an observation platform and guided tours, attracting travelers with an interest in Cold War history and cultural heritage in the Brandenburg region, providing a fresh perspective that bridges the gap between the past and the present.
