Velodrom (Berlin)

Velodrom

Location	Berlin, Germany
Owner	Unternehmensgruppe Gegenbauer
Operator	Velomax
Capacity	12,000 (concerts) 6,887 (tennis) 4,911 (press conference)
Construction
Built	1992–1997
Opened	1997
Construction cost	138,000,000 EUR
Architect	Dominique Perrault
Structural engineer	Ove Arup & Partners

The Velodrom (velodrome) is an indoor track cycling arena, in the Prenzlauer Berg, locality of Berlin, Germany. Holding up to 12,000 people, it was also Berlin's largest concert venue, until the opening of O2 World in 2008.

It is part of a larger complex, which includes a swimming pool as well, built in the course of the – unsuccessful – application of Berlin, for the 2000 Summer Olympics. This project is related to the German reunification and the wish of a city, Berlin, about to become the capital, to be nominated for the Olympic Games.

It replaced the former Werner-Seelenbinder-Halle, which was demolished in 1993.

It hosts, mainly, indoor sporting events, trade shows and concerts.

Architecture

The building was designed by French architect Dominique Perrault who won an international design competition in 1992 and was awarded the German Award of Architecture, second prize for the Velodrome and the Olympic Swimming pool [1]. The site chosen is at the intersection of urban elements and of different networks. In order to resolve the conjunction of these two systems, the buildings which house the velodrome and the Olympic Swimming Pool vanish from sight. The idea was to create an orchard of apple trees with two buildings set into the ground, one round and the other rectangular, covered with a wire gauze, which shimmer in the sunlight and appear to be stretches of water more than buildings.

The project includes

• a multi-use velodrome: cycling, athletics, tennis, equestrianism, sports education, concerts
• a swimming pool: 2 Olympic pools, Olympic diving platform, pools for diving training, handicapped, children
• multisport hall

The arena is famous for its steel roof construction – with a diameter of 142 meters, it has Europe's largest steel roof.

Notable events

In 1999, it hosted the UCI Track Cycling World Championships and has been the site of the annual Berlin Six-day racing since then.

In 2002 and 2008, Kylie Minogue performed her Fever Tour and KylieX2008 tours.

In 2014, the Velodrom has been the site of 32nd European Aquatics Championships.

See also

• Max-Schmeling-Halle

External links

• Media related to Velodrom (Berlin) at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by Vélodrome de Bordeaux Bordeaux

UCI Track Cycling World Championships Venue 1999

Succeeded by Manchester Velodrome Manchester