Bierpinsel

The Bierpinsel is a 47-metre-high tower on Schloßstraße in Steglitz, Berlin. Built in 1976, it has a striking futuristic design that blends pop art with functional architecture. The building was designed by architects Ralf Schüler and Ursulina Schüler-Witte during a period when construction faced funding challenges and budget overruns. Originally, the exterior featured red cladding around the top section, though this has since changed. Its nickname, ‘Bierpinsel’—meaning ‘beer brush’—comes from the brush-like appearance of its steel girders and its original purpose as a restaurant. The name was later adopted officially by the operating company. The tower was an extension of the Joachim Tiburtius Bridge and was constructed from concrete, plastic cladding and paint. In 2007, it was sold to a new owner who renamed the business Schlossturm GmbH, before being acquired by the Immoma group in 2021. The building has been a protected structure since 2017, recognising its architectural significance. In 2010, the exterior was transformed by the Turmkunst project, where prominent graffiti artists painted large murals over several weeks. These artworks turned the tower into an open-air gallery, drawing attention to its cultural role beyond dining. Visitors find a tower that stands out sharply against Berlin’s skyline, its unusual shape making it a local landmark. Inside, the building once housed a restaurant, though its current use reflects broader changes in the area. The surrounding Schloßstraße area offers shops and cafes, giving the Bierpinsel a central place in Steglitz’s daily life. The graffiti murals remain visible on the exterior, adding a layer of modern art to the structure. The tower’s protected status ensures its preservation, even as plans for refurbishment develop. Its history as both an architectural experiment and a cultural space continues to shape how it is seen today.