Completing the transformation

You can make your mark on German history. Read below about the impact of making a donation. Thank you.

Donate now

From State Council Building to a completed #1 Business school in Germany

Of the many factors that make ESMT Berlin a unique and prized location for education, our campus is among the most special. The building that once housed the East German State Council is a masterpiece of postwar architecture.

For too long, some of the most important areas of the former Staatsratsgebäude have remained hidden away, unseen. We are delighted to say that is about to change.

We are now developing the yet untouched part of the building, Wing A, to complete the vision of a world-class business school.

Completing the modernization of the building will allow us to bring together students, faculty, staff, guests from around the world, and from all walks of life to participate in future efforts to improve business and society.

The history of Germany and Europe is intrinsically connected with this incredible building; we would like to involve as many of our friends and alumni as possible, in this once-in-a-generation restoration project.

millions marks

Building's estimated costs when it was constructed

150

Firms and craft artists

Worked on the building's unique functional interiors

17,600

Square meters

Is the building’s total floor space

17,000

Porcelain plates

Were manufactured for the entrance foyer and other areas by Meissen porcelain

state-of-the-art renovated rooms

Will be available once the transformation project is completed

Partner with us to complete the transformation

ESMT would like to offer you the special opportunity to leave your mark on a unique piece of European history, by supporting our vision with a donation.

Click here to give online

Completing the renovation of a central-Berlin landmark is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Work on this project will begin in 2023 and can only be achieved in full with the support of those who share our excitement and ambition.

Your donation, of any amount, will be an invaluable part of shaping the success of this unique project.

If you would like to support the project, please click the link to the left to make a gift via our online donation form.

Recognizing your Support

The generosity of all donors will be recognized on our website. If you are interested in making an outstandingly impactful donation, we will be delighted to thank you for your generosity by naming you, according to the level of your gift, in one of our newly created rooms.

Reunification Benefactors – donations of €1,000,000 and above
Principal Supporters – donations of €250,000 and above
Leadership Supporters – donations of €50,000 and above
Initiation Supporters – donations of €10,000 and above

Additionally, we will be delighted to offer our most generous supporters an opportunity to name an entire room within our campus, commensurate with the level of their support.

If any of these unique opportunities is of interest to you, please reach out to us for a conversation. We will be delighted to hear from you.

The former State Council Chamber

From past to future and all that is in between

A multi-purpose teaching and events space will sit at the heart of a newly-refurbished wing. he room will preserve the architecture and aesthetic of the building’s history while providing a modern backdrop for education

Architekturbüro PN-Planung GmbH

historical image of the former Sitzungsaal

Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-F0331-0021-001 / Kohls, Ulrich / CC-BY-SA 3.0

Our vision of preservation and renewal : a large, high-end function room

The former State Council Chamber - Sitzungssaal der Staatsrats

Vision for the Sitzungssaal der Staatsrats

Former use

One of the most politically significant spaces in the building's portfolio of spaces. The heart of the political business for the East German Government. From this room, the German Democratic Republic was governed by its leaders, including Erich Honecker.

Our vision

Supporting meaning and promoting freedom of expression in every way possible.

In this space diverse opinions will meet, better futures will be envisioned, and the latest in economic, business, and political discourse conducted

The aluminum relief by Fritz Kühn remains in pristine condition and represents the political goals of GDR: peace, productive agriculture, and industrial progress. Peace and progress will continue to be reflected in the room’s use and shape.

Future use

A multi-purpose teaching and events space will sit at the heart of a newly-refurbished wing. In the future, ESMT will use it to promote free expression and interactive, inclusive exchange, rather than supporting a particular position from the head of the table. The room will preserve the architecture and aesthetic of the building’s history while providing a modern backdrop for education and collaboration.

The former Screening Room

From past to future and all that is in between

Visual representation of the future use of the former Kinosaal. The room will include 2 new auditoria

Architekturbüro PN-Planung GmbH

the Screening Room was the place “where films were checked for political content before they were authorized for public showing in cinemas across the country”.

Vision for the Kinosaal : two brand new auditoria to seat 150 people

The former Screening Room - Kinosaal

Vision for the Kinosaal

Former use

In its historical usage, the Screening Room was the place “where films were checked for political content before they were authorized for public showing in cinemas across the country”.

Our vision

Participating in technological progress and transferring it to the next generations via education.

The room will preserve the architecture and aesthetic of the building’s history while providing a modern backdrop for education and collaboration. The renovation will juxtapose the old and the new; true to the building's origins and yet suitable for its new role. It will preserve a sense of historical legacy, while creating a state-of-the-art teaching and meeting spaces for the future of the Berlin and Europe.

Future use

In the future, this space will strive for a similar technical and aesthetic symbiosis, but on the contrary, serve an opposite purpose. Instead of censorship and authorization, this space will be shaped and filled by the exchange of knowledge in the most cosmopolitan, honest, inclusive, and exploratory way.