As an architectural landmark of post-war modernism and an important premiere venue, Kino International has been a central site of national and international film culture for decades. Since 1992, it has been part of Berlin-based Yorck Cinema Group and has since been continuously operated with great commitment in keeping with its history.

Following a comprehensive, heritage-listed general refurbishment, the iconic Kino International in Berlin reopened its doors in late February 2026. It now presents itself as an architectural work of art in which preserved historic design, craftsmanship and contemporary technology merge to create a place that brings together architecture, design and urban life, from the cinema auditorium to the venue’s legendary Panorama Bar.

© Daniel Horn

Located on monumental Karl-Marx-Allee, one of the most significant urban boulevards of European post-war modernism in former East Berlin, Kino International was built between 1961 and 1963 to designs by architect Josef Kaiser.

Since its opening in 1963, Kino International has been far more than a film theater. As the premiere cinema of the GDR (the former East Germany), a social meeting place and a stage of public life, it shaped the cultural identity of Karl-Marx-Allee for decades. The building now reconnects with this tradition. as an open venue for film, encounter and urban public life.

Beyond the auditorium, the building unfolds as a spatial experience: Foyer, staircase hall and the legendary Panorama Bar form an ensemble that connects cinema, city and society. With its view over Karl-Marx-Allee, Panorama Bar returns as a central meeting place for filmmakers, creatives and the city’s public, once again making Kino International a vibrant lifestyle destination.

© Daniel Horn

Since its opening, Kino International has hosted numerous premieres and festivals and has long been an established venue of Berlin International Film Festival.

From the beginning it stood for a strong architectural ambition, as Kaiser conceived the building not only as a classic premiere cinema, but also a cultural center with diverse functions, including the cinema auditorium, generous foyers, rooms for club meetings and a library that formed part of the original concept. The clear formal language, expansive spatial sequences, and deliberate staging of material and light continue to make the building a key work of its era.

For the heritage-compliant basic refurbishment, the building was completely closed for the first time in its history. Planning was undertaken by Berlin-based Dickmann Richter Architekten. Their approach operates in the field of tension between preservation and contemporary addition, developed in close coordination with the heritage authorities.

© Daniel Horn

“We succeeded in carefully guiding Kino International into the present, said Daniel Dickmann, architect. “It looks as it once did, yet in every respect it has been reimagined. All technical systems within the building were renewed or modernized to meet contemporary standards. Extensive interventions, from basement to roof, enabled the integration of modern ventilation, heating and electrical systems, as well as new sanitary and rainwater installations. At the same time, heritage-listed wall and ceiling surfaces were open, technically upgraded and subsequently restored true to the original.”

The roof structure was also refurbished with new skylights, a renewed roof waterproofing system, zinc sheet cladding and heritage-sensitive integration of building services components.

A particular focus of the refurbishment lay on the acoustic quality of the building. More than 10,000 square feet of new acoustic insulation in the cinema auditorium and Panorama Bar, together with the precise integration of technology behind the historic wall coverings, provide a significantly enhanced sound experience.

By reducing the number of seats to 506, the row spacing was increased, noticeably enhancing comfort for the audience.

More than 4 miles of wooden slats were individually dismantled, refurbished and reinstalled. The historic concrete terrazzo flooring, natural stone surfaces and striking gold ceiling in the entrance area were also carefully restored.

Special attention was given to the legendary silver premiere curtain. With more than 40 million sequins, it is one of the most iconic design elements in European cinema history. It was meticulously restored true to the original and newly staged, as a glittering prelude to every film screening.

The new heating and ventilation technology now reduces the building’s energy demand by around 70 percent.