Thursday, August 15
The end of Renate: One of Berlin’s best-loved clubs announces closure
There was a time when cheap rent and great nightlife were two things at which Berlin unquestionably excelled. With news like this, you have to wonder for how long the city can hold on to that reputation. Renate is closing down. The nightclub has been a staple of Berlin club culture since its opening in 2007, but it will shut its doors at the end of 2025 because the real estate investor who owns the property has decided not to renew the lease.
The statement put out by the Renate team was heavily critical of the predatory policies of real estate firm, The Padovicz Group. The company “…already controls a significant portion of Berlin’s real estate. In Friedrichshain alone, the company owns at least 200 buildings…. well-known clubs like Watergate are under Padovicz’s control, who in recent years has faced repeated criticism for steep rent increases, temporary leases, and unnecessary vacancies.”
This news comes at a perilous time for Berlin nightlife. Renate was already one of the clubs threatened by the planned extensions of the A100 motorway, and the entire industry appears to be struggling with rent increases and funding cuts. The Renate team are apparently still fighting to find a way to continue operating, either in a new form or at a different location. As they write in their statement, the organisation will “keep fighting” to build a place for “music, dance, and community” in Berlin.
