Gendarmenmarkt to Become Greener Over Time Despite No New Trees

Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt, reopened in March 2025 after a two-year renovation, will not receive additional trees or shrubs due to strict heritage conservation rules, according to the city's environmental administration. Critics have described the square as a 'stone desert' lacking greenery. During construction, three Japanese pagoda trees and three magnolias were planted. The pagoda trees, chosen for their heat and drought resistance, are expected to grow canopies 12 to 18 meters wide over 15 to 18 years. The square, covering about 19,000 square meters, has green areas mainly at its southern and northern ends near the French and German Cathedrals. Urban Development Senator Christian Gaebler (SPD) defended the design, stating the Gendarmenmarkt is a city square and event venue, not a park, but offers cooling zones at its edges. The renovation also included a five-kilometer underground utility network for events like the Christmas market and open-air concerts. The square dates to the 17th century and features the German and French Cathedrals and Karl Friedrich Schinkel's Konzerthaus.