Tresor Berlin: 35 Years of Techno History in a Power Plant
· re:union Radio editorial · 3 min read
Founded in 1991 in a department store vault, since 2007 in a Berlin-Mitte power plant: the eventful history of Tresor Berlin on its 35th anniversary.
Tresor Berlin is one of the most famous techno clubs in the world and will turn 35 in 2026. The club's history is closely intertwined with post-reunification Berlin – from an actual vault to the disused power plant on Köpenicker Straße.
At a glance
- Opened in 1991 at Leipziger Straße 126, in the 1926-built vault of the former Wertheim department store
- In September 1991, Dimitri Hegemann founded the in-house label Tresor Records
- After the last party on April 16, 2005, followed the period of “Tresor in Exile” at Maria am Ostbahnhof and SO36
- Since May 25, 2007, the club has resided in the disused southern wing of the Berlin-Mitte power plant on Köpenicker Straße
The Name Comes from an Actual Vault
In early 1991, Achim Kohlberger, one of the masterminds behind the West Berlin acid house club Ufo, along with a promoter of the Tekknozid parties, was looking for a location for a techno club. They found it in the 1926-built vault of the former Wertheim department store at Leipziger Straße 126, near Leipziger Platz. The club's name is still derived from this discovery.
Detroit Meets Berlin
Among the most important resident DJs were Tanith, Surgeon, Jonzon, and Mitja Prinz. DJs and live acts from Detroit played at Tresor particularly often, including Jeff Mills, Juan Atkins, Blake Baxter, Robert Hood, and Kevin Saunderson – the club thus became a European platform for the international techno movement. In September 1991, co-founder Dimitri Hegemann also launched the eponymous record label Tresor Records, which musically solidified the connection between Berlin and Detroit.
Move to the Power Plant
The area near Potsdamer Platz had been cleared during GDR times near the Wall and became attractive for development again after reunification – the operators therefore only received short-term contracts from the beginning. The last party at the old location took place on April 16, 2005. From July 2005, Tresor parties ran under the motto “Tresor in Exile” in the premises of Maria am Ostbahnhof and SO36, until the club opened its new premises on May 25, 2007, in the disused southern wing of the Berlin-Mitte power plant on Köpenicker Straße. Some of the original lockers from the old Wertheim department store were taken along and installed in the lower event room of the new location.
“On May 25, 2007, the club opened its new premises in the disused southern wing of the Berlin-Mitte power plant on Köpenicker Straße.”
Queer Audience Since 2017
Since 2017, Tresor has regularly hosted parties by the queer collective Herrensauna, which have opened up a younger, queer audience to the club. Thus, the institution has reinvented itself repeatedly over three decades, without abandoning the raw, industrial character of the location, which has been a trademark of the club since its move in 2007.
If you're looking into the technical tools for your own performance, you'll find the basic equipment in our beginner's setup guide, and practical tips for clean transitions in your set in the article on EQ mixing.
FAQ
Where is Tresor Berlin located today?
Since May 25, 2007, in the disused southern wing of the Berlin-Mitte power plant on Köpenicker Straße, after two years in exile at Maria am Ostbahnhof and SO36.
Where does the name Tresor come from?
From its original location in 1991: the 1926-built vault of the former Wertheim department store at Leipziger Straße 126.
Source: Wikipedia
