Part 6/8:
Despite its initial acclaim and its status as a cultural landmark, the ICC struggled to maintain its purpose in recent years. As event attendance dwindled, the building fell into neglect, ultimately closing its doors in 2014. Although it served various functions such as a refugee accommodation and a vaccination center during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a persistent call to revitalize this sleeping giant rather than demolish it.
Concerns about its fate loomed large over Berlin, with the public expressing a mix of devotion and outrage regarding proposals for its destruction. Recognizing its cultural significance, the city government initiated plans for its resurrection.