At Südkreuz Berlin, Vestre has delivered a “co-waiting space” on the platform, while in Cottbus Hauptbahnhof, the entire waiting hall over two floors and the forecourts have now been upgraded with Vestre furniture. The latter station has undergone a comprehensive transformation in recent years and, in September 2021, Cottbus Hauptbahnhof was voted Station of the Year by the German Transport Alliance (Verkehrsbündnis Allianz). The most recent refurbishment, which began in 2020, focused on creating an even better experience at the station, with new interconnecting tunnels, heated waiting halls and more space for restaurants and shops.

Sustainable, regional and innovative

Cottbus Hauptbahnhof is located just south of Cottbus city center and welcomes almost 15,000 travelers and visitors every day, the majority of whom are commuters and students. The new concept deals with the topic of “quality of stay/waiting”, and efforts have therefore been made to develop solutions that are sustainable and regional, while at the same time meeting the needs of time-sensitive commuters in innovative ways.

“The main station building was erected in 1978 as a terminal. In the 1990s, additional shops were incorporated, which fundamentally altered the structure. Advertising systems in particular led to the creation of a restless atmosphere. The aim of the ongoing refurbishment that began in 2020 was to create a harmonious image and emphasize a stronger connection to the region, and to improve the quality of the stay with new and innovative seating furniture,” says Markus Baumeister, Project Manager for Product Concepts and Strategic Station Development at Deutsche Bahn.