To the left stands the Berliner Ensemble theater, in front Schiffbauerdamm and the Spree River. Within this expansive, open space the building—stretching with a width of approximately 55 and depth of 82 meters—occupies a solitary, arresting position. On this very site stood the Grosses Schauspielhaus designed by Hans Poelzig and headed by Max Reinhardt, which remained standing until the late eighties, when it was demolished. Due to the doubled four-wing layout of the structure with two internal courtyards and the staggering of the top four of ten floors above ground level, the building bears a certain similarity in shape and volume to Hamburg’s so-called Kontorhäuser, early 20th century office buildings. However, the solid, block-like appearance of these forerunners is altered through façades that are more akin to an airy, light, and even crystalline architecture.

The main façade is divided into three parts: a broader central section and two narrower side sections. The vertical windows, each divided into separate fields by 3 to 6 printed glass panels, are horizontally framed by a light-colored aluminum. Just under half of the 33,000 sqm of gross floor area is dedicated to 95 apartments, the interiors of which have been designed by designer Philippe Starck. A hotel with 300 rooms occupies another third of the floor area. The rest of the space is reserved for offices and shops.