Wasserturm Ostkreuz

The Ostkreuz Water Tower is a striking landmark in Berlin's Friedrichshain district, standing just south of the Ostkreuz station. It was built between 1909 and 1912 to designs by the architect Karl Cornelius and originally supplied water to the many steam locomotives that ran on the rail lines crossing here. The structure consists of a round shaft faced with glazed purple clinker brick. Atop it sits a cylindrical, pressure-resistant water tank with a capacity of 400 cubic meters, fully integrated into the roof. The deeply drawn-down roof and the slate-clad polygonal cap show clear Art Nouveau influences. At 50 meters (164 feet) tall, the tower is visible from far away and is considered a defining landmark of the area around the station.

Today the water tower is a listed historic monument and no longer serves its original technical purpose. In February 2015, Deutsche Bahn sold the structure. The new owner, who also owns the Postbahnhof at Ostbahnhof, plans a mixed use for the tower. The concept calls for opening the space to cultural events and dining, with both private and public uses envisioned. A detailed plan for its use is due to be developed by the end of 2024, one that balances the historic fabric with modern requirements.

For visitors to the station district, the water tower offers an impressive visual anchor. It is directly tied to the history of the rail hub, which served as an important transfer point for decades and most recently underwent a comprehensive reconstruction. While the station itself has been modernized and adapted to the needs of today's local and regional traffic, the water tower remains a witness to the early industrial era of Berlin's railways. Its architectural character, shaped by the combination of clinker facing and Art Nouveau elements, makes it a popular photo subject and a symbolic place that links the industrial past with plans for a cultural future.