Future of the "Viva la Bernie" artists' courtyard secured
After years of dispute over the future of the "Viva la Bernie" artists' and craftsmen's farm in Hamburg's Altona district, the owners and tenants have reached an amicable solution. The two private owners are offering to buy the property from the Johann Daniel Lawaetz Foundation for 8.5 million euros so that it can give the courtyard to its users on a long-term leasehold basis. This was announced by the negotiating partners in Hamburg on Monday. The artists' community will have to raise part of the money itself through private loans at favorable interest rates, donors and patrons.
"I am delighted that the owners and tenants have worked together over many years to preserve this important location, which has an impact beyond the borders of Hamburg," said Hamburg's transport senator Anjes Tjarks (Greens). The Künstler- und Handwerkerhof is an important place for meeting, living, exchanging ideas and creativity. "We are pleased that we have reached this compromise," said Ralf Gauger, spokesman for the artists' association. "However, we still have a long way to go."
Berlin-based investors Christoph Reschke and Alexander Möll acquired the site in 2017. Around 110 craftspeople and artists live and work on the farm, including members of the hip-hop group Fettes Brot. They feared that they would be evicted from the site in the long term due to rent increases and therefore wanted to take over the courtyard themselves.
The new owners, Reschke and Möll, envisioned transforming the courtyard into a bustling scene for real estate development. However, the strong sentiment among the artists and tenants led to constructive negotiations, allowing for the preservation of the courtyard as a thriving space for artists and craftsmen.
Source: www.dpa.com
