The History of the Berlin Westhafen

The Westhafen Event & Convention Center (WECC) has a remarkable past. Where vibrant meetings and lively celebrations take place today. Henry Ford once produced his famous Model T “Tin Lizzy” here. Here’s an overview of what happened over the past approximately 125 years.

Around 1900 - The History of Westhafen Begins to Unfold

The Westhafen played a crucial role in the development of Berlin’s industrial landscape, serving as a hub for inland shipping since the 1920s. The history of Westhafen dates back to the turn of the century. In 1895, the merchants of Berlin urged the city’s government to construct two large ports in the west and east of the city to manage the flourishing transportation of goods.

1900 to 1923: Planning and Construction Phase

Initial designs for the construction of the Berlin Westhafen were already proposed around 1900. However, due to disputes with the Royal Prussian State Railway and the outbreak of World War I, construction works were delayed. As a result, the Berlin Westhafen only commenced operations in 1923 under the management of the BEHALA (Berliner Hafen- und Lagerhaus AG). The port facility comprised two harbor basins, three warehouses, grain silos, customs warehouses, administrative buildings, and a casino with a dining hall.

1924 to 1943 – Expansion and Economic Utilization

From 1924 onwards, the Berlin Westhafen was expanded with a third harbor basin and additional storage buildings, becoming temporarily the second-largest inland port in Germany. Its excellent connections to road, rail, and water networks made the port area attractive to large companies. Three years after its opening, automotive pioneer Henry Ford rented a building to assemble vehicles from imported parts. In Warehouse 1 – now the WECC – the legendary Model T “Tin Lizzy” was assembled. 64 cars were produced daily in the hall before production was completely transferred to Cologne in 1931.

1945 to 1990 – Destruction and Reconstruction

During the Second World War, around 60 percent of the port area was destroyed. It took 5 years to repair the damage and for the Berlin Westhafen to be accessible again by trains, trucks, and ships. Although the warehouses served as a reserve for the Senate in 1948 and 1949, the Berlin Westhafen gradually lost its significance.

1990 to Present – From Industrial Warehouse to Modern Event Location

After reunification, it took time for the warehouses and administrative buildings to be revitalized. Thanks to extensive restoration measures, the port area is now Berlin’s largest goods handling center. Moreover, the Berlin Westhafen has become a popular venue for events. In the listed Warehouse 1 of the WECC, you can celebrate in a historically rich ambiance – amidst unique architecture and with a spectacular view of the Spree River.

The Westhafen Event & Convention Center was founded in May 2015 by Thorsten Schermall – CEO of the 40SECONDS GROUP – and has since become one of Berlin’s most extraordinary event locations. With two large halls, eight state-of-the-art workshop rooms, and a spacious outdoor area including its own ship dock, the WECC offers 2,800 m² of space for up to 1,700 people. This provides excellent conditions for successful major events such as the Cinema for Peace Gala, the G7 International Expert Conference 2022, and the Ampel Talks of the German Federal Government.

2023 – 100 Years of Westhafen:

The Grand Birthday Celebration On September 3, 2023, a grand harbor festival took place to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Berlin Westhafen. At the WECC Westhafen Event & Convention Center, we are thrilled and proud to be part of this very special moment in Berlin’s history.

Event Location with Historical Flair: The WECC

Workshop Rooms

10 representative workshop rooms of different sizes that can be freely combined.

WORKSHOP ROOM COMBO

For larger workshops, the workshop room sizes can also be combined, providing up to 120 m² and 200 m². The rooms can therefore be extended to meet your needs. There are projector connection points on the end walls so that all guests are able to get a good view of the media content presented.

Surface area: 120 – 200 m²

Capacity
Row: 120 – 180 Max
Parliament: 100 – 130 Max
Banquet: entfällt
Reception: 150 – 250 Max

Room height: 4,50 m

WORKSHOP ROOM SMALL (2)

The smallest of the workshop rooms is still 100 % functional. Its clear, rational design provides space for intensive meetings. Modern connections, either with fibre optic cable or CAT cable, ensure the networking of the whole building. With almost 30m², you will find that this space is the best place to develop new ideas.

Surface area: 30 m²

Capacity
Row: 35 Max
Parliament: 16 Max
Banquet: entfällt
Reception: 45 Max

Room height: 4,50 m

WORKSHOP ROOM MEDIUM (5)

Guests will find high-tech systems across the 40 m² space. There are already connection points for projectors, laptops, screens and other modern devices in this room. This workshop leaves nothing to be desired.

Surface area: 40 m²

Capacity
Row: 45 Max
Parliament: 24 Max
Banquet: entfällt
Reception: 60 Max

Room height: 4,50 m

WORKSHOP ROOM LARGE (1)

The largest individual workshop room has a floor area of 60 square meters. Whether it’s sessions in a classic U-shape or theater-style seating, this room meets all the requirements for a modern workshop space.

Surface area: 60 m²

Capacity
Row: 65 Max
Parliament: 40 Max
Banquet: entfällt
Reception: 75 Max

Room height: 4,50 m

Conference and Meeting Rooms

Two spacious halls in modern industrial architecture for a maximum of 1,700 people.

SMALL HALL

The small hall is a venue in its own right. With a surface area of 420 m², independent events can be held here. Alternatively, you can use the small hall as an extension to the space upstairs.

Surface area: 416 m²

Capacity
Row: 500 Max
Parliament: 250 Max
Banquet: 350 Max
Reception: 500 Max

Room height: 12,40 m

Large Hall

The large hall offers an ideal space for big events. The heart of the venue is suitable for conferences, gala dinners, receptions and product presentations. Vehicles can also be brought into the large hall using a sophisticated crane system.

Surface area: 773 m²

Capacity
Row: 1000 Max
Parliament: 550 Max
Banquet: 560 Max
Reception: 1200 Max

Room height: 12,40 m