The capital’s landmarks oscillate between modernity and the past . Some continue to tell the story of our country to this day, others attempt to hide it behind a newly renovated facade, and still others have only recently been built. While we can see some of Berlin’s highlights from observation towers around the city from the best vantage points, others must be experienced from the inside to truly reveal their special charm. This includes the ICC Berlin, which remains one of the capital’s most futuristic buildings and, on the inside, almost feels like a relic from another era.
The building is located in Charlottenburg, right next to Messe Berlin and the Berlin Radio Tower. From downtown Berlin, it usually takes only about 15 to 20 minutes by S-Bahn. The International Congress Centrum opened in 1979 and was considered one of the most modern and technologically advanced convention centers in the world at the time. With its silver high-tech architecture, endless tubular structures, escalators, and neon lights , the building reminds many people more of a spaceship than a classic convention center.
Particularly iconic is the so-called “Electric Ghost” neon system in the huge foyer on Level 0. The red-and-blue neon lines were designed by light artists Frank Oehring and Helge Sypereck and originally served as a wayfinding system for visitors.
The concept almost resembled an artificial circulatory system for the building. The blue neon lines guided visitors to the right side of the vast foyer, while the red lines marked the path to the left. This created a luminous wayfinding system through the monumental hall. It was precisely this combination of functionality, light art, and futuristic design that made the ICC Berlin so revolutionary at the time.
Especially at night, the ICC, with its long axes of light and metallic structures, looks almost like a real space station. The interior of the building, however, is even more spectacular. It features miles of futuristic corridors, metallic ceilings, mirrored surfaces, huge escalators, and original lighting systems from the 1970s. Many visitors say the ICC feels like a vision of the future from a bygone era.
Technically, the ICC was far ahead of its time. At its opening, it featured modern simultaneous translation systems, automated systems, complex lighting technology, and a massive technical infrastructure. For decades, it hosted international conferences, political events, trade fairs, and cultural events.
The so-called “Electric Ghost” feeling inside has become particularly well-known. This refers to the ghostly atmosphere created by the old neon and lighting systems when parts of the building are illuminated again. Then the ICC almost seems like a machine still alive from a bygone vision of the future. A special highlight is therefore the “49h ICC” event. During this event, the normally closed building is reopened for 49 hours. Visitors can then experience the iconic halls, futuristic corridors, light installations, and old guidance systems . The event is now considered a cult event in Berlin’s architecture and art scene. It is expected to take place again in 2026, though official confirmation is still pending.
