Warner Music last week opened its new "creative hub" in Berlin. It is housed in a late nineteenth century building called the Schicklerhaus and boasts - the official blurb declares - "an interior performance space, four rooftop terraces and collaboration rooms featuring the latest technology, including Dolby Atmos immersive sound".
The major's German HQ will remain in Hamburg, where it has also revamped its offices. However, it says, the new base in Berlin - which will be used by both the Warner labels and the Warner Chappell publishing company - not only reaffirms its "commitment to discovering and supporting local artists, songwriters and other creative professionals in Germany" but also "the importance of Berlin as a business location, cultural capital, and one of the Europe’s most vibrant cultural, creative and technological capitals".
Says Warner big boss Robert Kyncl: “This beautifully restored building, at the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant cities, is a symbol of Warner Music Group’s commitment to super-serve our artists and songwriters. Along with our revitalised offices in Hamburg, these facilities will help our teams in Germany to keep developing our collaborative, innovative approach to music".
Doreen Schimk and Fabian Drebes, Co-Presidents at Warner Music Central Europe, add: "We see this new space, alongside our revitalised Hamburg headquarters, as sign of our commitment to local players in the creative and cultural scene, and to the importance of Berlin as a European metropolis and a location for the music industry".
Meanwhile, Lars Karlsson and Natascha Augustin from Warner Chappell state: “Our songwriters from around the world are drawn to Berlin as a vibrant, exciting city at the crossroads of Europe whose atmosphere fuels their creativity. Now we have a world-class hub where we can host them when they’re in town".