About AchtBerlin

We create spaces that connect people, spark creativity, and enable experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Three Buildings, Six Floors, and One Cinema: AchtBerlin

AchtBerlin is a unique ensemble of buildings with state-of-the-art office and event spaces spanning over 8,000 square meters, spread across listed historic buildings and striking new constructions in Berlin Mitte. One highlight is what is arguably Germany's most beautiful private cinema, featuring Dolby Atmos for up to 70 guests.

Behind AchtBerlin are founders from culture and business who, with passion, created a professional home that unites iconic architecture with creative energy and a curated community. Inspire to create.

Over the Years

The story behind the creation of AchtBerlin, in key milestones.

Leerer Raum mit braunem Boden und Wänden, die teilweise in Grau und Braun gestrichen sind. Eine Wand zeigt ein diagonales, hellgraues Dreieck als Wandgestaltung. Oben an der Wand sind Fenster, die in einen angrenzenden Raum mit mehr Tageslicht blicken lassen.

2012

It all began in 2012 with a lease. The film distribution company DCM, founded by Dario Suter, Marc Schmidheiny, Christoph Daniel, and Joel Brandeis, moved into the third and fourth floors of the Quergebäude that spring. At the time, no one suspected that these two floors would one day become AchtBerlin. Back then, the building was mainly occupied by companies with short-term leases. For DCM, it was initially simply a new place to work. But it would soon become clear that this place had far more potential.

Vier Personen auf einem roten Teppich vor einer Wand mit den Logos 'QUARTETT', 'Wall' und 'dcm', zwei Männer in Anzügen und Krawatten, eine ältere Frau mit weißen Haaren in einem blumigen Kleid.

2013

In January 2013, Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut Quartet premiered. What began as a classic evening in the film industry would turn out to be a defining moment for the building's future. One of the building's former owners was in the audience, saw Dario Suter and Joel Brandeis on stage, and approached them afterward. It was only through this encounter that Dario and Marc learned the building was even for sale. Suddenly, an idea emerged that at first seemed almost impossible: buying a listed historic building, developing it over the long term, and turning it into a home. They had fallen in love with the building. From the founders' original wish to create a place they could stay, a vision emerged: if we have the chance, we never want to leave this building again. In October 2013, the building was finally purchased.

Historisches Gebäude mit sechsstöckiger Fassade, großen Fenstern, zwei Erkern und einem zentralen Torbogen mit der Nummer 8, durch den ein Hof mit beleuchtetem Baum sichtbar ist.

2015

Concrete planning for the building's future began in 2015. Together with architect Thomas Krüger, initial ideas were developed and architectural solutions found for the building's unique features. A central idea was the Atrium, which would later become a defining element of the entire development. Originally, the plan was to continue the existing concept with tenants. But at the same time, a dream that had accompanied DCM from the very beginning remained: their own cinema. Yet the vision went far beyond that. The founders wanted to create a vibrant place where work and encounter would come together – a home for the film industry and, at the same time, a meeting point for other creative and entrepreneurial fields. What had been an office building was to become a vibrant microcosm.

Baustelle eines mehrstöckigen Gebäudes mit Betonskelett und Stahlgerüst, ein gelber Baukran hebt eine orangefarbene Betonschütte, im Hintergrund eine alte Ziegelsteinmauer.

2018

The construction pit was excavated at the end of 2018. The vision became reality. After years full of ideas, conversations, and planning, the actual transformation of the building now began. The first visible steps turned the vision into a place that was slowly taking on its new form.

Baustelle vor einem alten, grauen Backsteingebäude mit großen Fenstern und Graffiti; im Vordergrund sind Holzstapel, Metallgitter und eine runde Holzverschalung sichtbar.

2019

In 2019, the building shell was celebrated – an important milestone on the way to AchtBerlin. The construction site was a visible sign that something new was taking shape here. The shell construction continued until 2020, after which interior fit-out began. Architecture increasingly gave way to atmosphere. A construction project became a place with character.

Schild an einer Steinmauer mit der Aufschrift 'DCM 8 BERLIN', darunter steht '1. OG LINKS' und 'FIRST FLOOR LEFT'.

2022

Even during the construction phase, “Acht” (eight) had already become a fixed term for the project. The explanation lies in the architecture itself: from a bird's-eye view, the building's courtyards resemble the figure eight. At the same time, the number 8 is considered a lucky number in Asian culture. That's how an architectural quirk gave rise to the name “AchtBerlin.”

2022, Beatrice Heinze joined as Head of Experience and Partnerships and, in this role and later as Director of Brand Business Development, played a key part in shaping the development of the brand and the experience around AchtBerlin.

Menschen in einem Veranstaltungsraum mit Betonwänden vor einer weißen Wand mit den Logos AchtBerlin und DMC, einige unterhalten sich, im Vordergrund unscharfe Gestalten und Glaswaren.

2023

In 2023, AchtBerlin opened to the public for the first time. With the first edition of "DCM Teatime," the Neubau was opened and, at the same time, the first event under the name “AchtBerlin” took place. What had once been DCM's home thus became a new place for many. DCM remained part of the building's story as its first tenant, while numerous new companies and people moved in. AchtBerlin began developing its own community.

Helles, modernes Büro mit pinkfarbenen modularen Sitzgelegenheiten, runden weißen Hockern, mehreren Tischen und großen Fenstern. Links sind Glastüren zu weiteren Arbeitsräumen und ein runder Holztisch mit einem Blumenstrauß in einer Vase.

2024

After a long wait, the Quergebäude was completed, and with the launch of the coworking area, another important building block was added. This meant AchtBerlin had definitively become more than just a classic office location. Alongside fixed offices, a flexible space emerged for people and companies who wanted to be part of the community – regardless of whether they needed their own office in the long term.

Außenansicht eines Cafés oder kleinen Geschäfts mit großen Fenstern und offenen gelben Türen, davor stehen zwei Holztische mit schwarzen Hockern und eine schwarze Tafel mit weißer Schrift auf dem Bürgersteig.

2025

With the reopening of the restaurant "Fleischerei" and the café “The Barn,” gastronomy moved in and brought even more life to the building's everyday activity. At the same time, the Vorderhaus was added, its development continuing through 2026. This meant AchtBerlin grew beyond its original role as a landlord: the spaces themselves became venues for experiences and events. Coworking and the number of tenants grew, while a vibrant community established itself at the same time. Today, AchtBerlin rests on three pillars: offices, coworking, and event spaces. In terms of content, three worlds come together especially strongly: storytelling, start-ups and start-up investors, and film. It's precisely this mix that gave rise to a community that makes AchtBerlin a place to work and a meeting point for the industry, while remaining open to new industries and ideas. From film to start-ups to AI: here, the most diverse people and companies find a shared home.

Leerer heller Raum mit schräger Decke, sichtbaren dunklen Holzbalken und drei großen halbrunden Fenstern mit Heizkörpern darunter, Sonnenlicht fällt auf den Boden.

2026

The year 2026 marks the completion of a vision that began more than a decade earlier with the leasing of two floors. With the completion of the Vorderhaus, the finished roof structure on the fifth floor, and the new elevator, the building's historic fabric is carried forward and combined with contemporary use. Parts of the building date back to 1912 – it is precisely this blend of history, architecture, and future that defines AchtBerlin. What was once a rental property has become a home.