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SKYSCRAPER

Berlin skyscraper too heavy for Alexanderplatz

A bid to build Germany's tallest apartment block in central Berlin is in jeopardy amid fears the skyscraper will be so heavy it will crush the U-Bahn tunnel beneath it.

Published: 7 May 2014 17:13 CEST
Berlin skyscraper too heavy for Alexanderplatz
A model of Frank Gehry's skyscraper at Alexanderplatz. Photo: DPA

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The 150-metre high tower block is to be built so close to the U5, an important metro line for the eastern districts of Berlin, that it could damage the train tunnel, the Berliner Zeitung reported on Wednesday.

The U5 line runs in an arc around the area and the ground could sink once construction work starts, allowing groundwater to enter into the tunnel.

Berlin's Transport Authority (BVG) now wants to clarify if trains could still run during the construction period, while Berlin's Senate has put the plans on ice.

The project's American investors, Hines Property Group, has now commissioned a survey to assess the risks surrounding the building of the skyscraper which was designed by US architect Frank Gehry.

Whether the project will now go ahead in its original form remains to be seen. The response from the investors so far has been restrained, but they are confident that the problems for the €250-million project can be resolved in the not too distant future.

“We're heading in the right direction and are confident that a decision will be made soon,” Hines said.

SEE ALSO: Germany's tallest hotel planned for Berlin 

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YOUTUBE

New video emerges of YouTube brawl at Berlin’s Alexanderplatz

A new video has emerged of a mass brawl instigated by social media influencers which shocked onlookers in Berlin’s central Alexanderplatz.

Published: 8 April 2019 10:44 CEST
New video emerges of YouTube brawl at Berlin's Alexanderplatz
Image: DPA

The confrontation, which happened on March 21st, was organized by two rival YouTube influencers, who implored their supporters to attend.

The new footage shows the two influencers confronting one another, before one of the influencers – Berlin's Bahar Al Amood – slaps the other. Their entourages intervene, before a widespread brawl ensues. 

Al Amood can be heard saying: “You know, you insulted your family, you know, there's no fun in the family, Habibi, it's all about honour.”

As reported in the Berliner Zeitung, the confrontation came after months of online sparring between the two and their fans. Stuttgart-based ThatsBekir, who has over 260,000 subscribers on Youtube, had called for a meeting. 

Al Amood, who has over 13,000 subscribers had warned ThatsBekir not to come to Berlin, but the latter came anyway.

As reported by The Local, more than 100 police officers were called upon to break up the brawl between around 400 supporters of the two YouTube personalities. 

WATCH: YouTube rivals organize mass brawl in Berlin's Alexanderplatz

Knives were confiscated and several arrests were made. As the police attempted to stop the brawl, some of the fighting moved underground to the U-Bahn station where the rival groups hurled stones at each other. 

Police have since criticized the rappers, blaming them for escalating the conflict. 

The two influencers hit back, blaming police for escalating the conflict. 

 

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