2Architectural Model of the Historic Building

1966In 1959, Axel Springer deliberately chose a site in Berlin’s old newspaper district for the laying of the foundation stone. Before 1933, the area had stood for creativity, successful journalism and numerous publishers that supported the democracy of the Weimar Republic. Axel Springer wanted to revive that spirit in its original place. When the foundation stone was laid on May 25, 1959, the city was already divided, but the Wall had not yet been built. On October 6, 1966, the Golden High-Rise was inaugurated. The clinking chains of the guard dogs patrolling the death strip could be heard in the newsrooms.