Europa-Center

The Europa-Center in Berlin's Charlottenburg district, a 22-story tower block 68 m/282ft high (103 m/340ft including the Mercedes star), was built in 1963-65 on the site of the former "Romanesque Cafe" to the design of K. H. Pepper, and became popularly known to Berliners as "Pepper's Manhattan."

Within this huge shopping center -- area 90,000 sq.m/108,000 sq.yd -- are some 100 shops, boutiques and restaurants (including Swiss specialties in the "Mövenpick" and Bavarian cooking in the "Alt-Nürnberg"; the "i-Punkt" restaurant and cafe dansant, with its observation platform providing a magnificent view of the city), the 5-star Hotel Palace, five first-run cinemas, a multi-vision show depicting Berlin's history, the world-famous Stachelschweine (Porcupines) cabaret, the "La vie en rose" revue theater, galleries, the 13 m/43 high "Water Clock" designed by the French professor Gitton, service industries, the Divisional Transport Office (third floor) and the Tourist Information Office (entrance in Budapester Strasse).

The globe-shaped fountain with bronze and granite figures, called "Wasserklops" (Meatball in Water) by the Berliners, has stood on Breitscheidplatz since 1983.