Berlin
The biggest mural in the world…
Or: how the grim, decrepit district of Hellersdorf-Marzahn became “Europa Quarter”…

Hellersdorf-Marzahn is located on the outskirts of East Berlin. You guessed it: it’s a typical socialist housing area. More over, in a very bad state until …
Until the 1990’s first, when a shopping mall was built near the subway station as part of the neighbourhood's post-reunification makeover. Away with some of the high-rises surroundings!
The latest innovation foresees revamping 64,000 square meters of six residential blocks along the "Hellersdorf Promenade". A condensation of Europe since the facades will recreate the look of traditional houses in European cities from Amsterdam and Warsaw to London and Lisbon.

According to its organizers, it will be the "biggest mural in the world."

It’s the art collective "Cité de la Creation" which has been commissioned for this big-scale trompe-l’oeil. The artists cite Mexican tradition as an inspiration, saying they base their work on the sort of arte muralista developed by Diego Rivera. They describe urban renewal as their ultimate goal. You guessed it: community is their first priority.

Funding for "Europa Quarter" has been in place for several months. Austrian property giant Level One, which acquired the 100 high-rises, is willing to pour 15 million euros in their renovation - one-third will be spent on the facades.
Level One CEO Peter Brockhaus wants to set European-themed speciality stores and eateries, such as tapas bars in Madrid, pasta restaurants in Milan and smart boutiques in Paris…

Hey, that’s real Europe!