“I am glad that with Mercato Metropolitano, we have been able to partner with a young, innovative company to develop a stylish, urban and sustainable community market concept that fits in perfectly with the Berlin culture and way of life. Mercato Metropolitano shows the direction it will take,” says Karl L. Wambach, Executive Vice President Europe of Brookfield Properties.
“We are in contact with numerous other potential tenants. Despite the Coronavirus, we are convinced that social life will gradually return to normal, and that Potsdamer Platz will once again become a Berlin experience,” said Wambach. The goal of Brookfield Properties at Potsdamer Platz is to create a lively and contemporary urban space where Berlin tourists, theatre goers, office workers and Berliners feel equally comfortable.
Sustainable, artisan food and socially inclusive activities
On two levels Mercato Metropolitano will offer freshly prepared, traceable and artisan food from the best local and international operators. In all MM locations, community engagement and business incubation programs, as well as environmental and social activities, are central to the working of the community markets, with a particular focus on inclusivity.
Andrea Rasca, Founder and Chief Executive Dreamer of Mercato Metropolitano, explains the concept, which is new in Germany: “Such offers are part of our philosophy and will be central to our Berlin market. We want to break down barriers, bring people together and support communities. The opportunity to bring this philosophy to Berlin is truly important to us, considering the exceptional cultural diversity, rich history and innovational spirit of the city”.
Rasca founded his company in 2015 as part of a pilot project at the World Expo in Milan. In 2016, Mercato Metropolitano opened their first sustainable community market in London. “We only use recyclable and compostable materials, without single-use plastics at all our locations. Our ultimate goal is to lead a waste, plastic and chemical-free economy, by offering to the community of citizens the best possible bio-variety of sustainable food which will satisfy their taste buds as well as enhance our own and Earth’s health”, Rasca adds.
Shopping center with international flair
Jonathan Doughty, Director Foodservice, Leisure and Placemaking at shopping center operator ECE, is also looking forward to Mercato Metropolitano’s arrival at Potsdamer Platz: “We want to turn the place into a culinary hotspot for all of Berlin. With Mercato Metropolitano as our partner, we are one step closer to this goal, and we are very excited that we were able to sign Mercato Metropolitano with their first location in Germany. They are modern, innovative, and will be the heart of Potsdamer Platz”. ECE is responsible for the management, leasing and refurbishment works of the Potsdamer Platz Arkaden in partnership with Brookfield Properties.
As part of the complete repositioning of the Arkaden, a shopping center with international high street flair is to be created, which will house around 90 shops and flagship stores of well-known brands from the technology, sports & entertainment, science & beauty, mobility & leisure and gastronomy sectors. The existing upper-floor shopping street will be completely removed and replaced by impressive twostorey facades in order to offer tenants new presentation and space options. The community market of Mercato Metropolitano is the heart of this new concept.
