- I haven't read anything yet. What's going on here?
The Creative Work Community OberSchöneweide (KAOS) must vacate its current location at Wilhelminenhofstraße 92 in 2025. But we want to stay! That’s why we’re buying Wilhelminenhofstraße 93 together!
We want to buy 5,000m² of land by the Spree River, directly across from the current KAOS building that has existed for 11 years. The new property includes three buildings with a total of 3,600m² of usable space.
To achieve this, we are founding the cooperative „Kunst- und Gewerbehof KAOS eG (i.Gr.)“ with the goal of permanently removing the site from the speculative real estate market and making it available for creative small businesses and a cultural enterprise.
For this, we need your financial support in the form of subordinated loans.
- I am looking for space for my business, for my art, or my company. Do you still have room?
Yes!
If the purchase of Wilhelminenhofstraße 93 goes through, we will need to more than double our current memberships (currently around 120 members). For this, new spaces will be made available at Wilhelminenhofstraße 93. However, it is currently difficult to provide any firm details on when this will happen, the price per square meter, what sizes of spaces will be available, or other similar questions.
Nevertheless, feel free to apply and briefly introduce yourself and your needs to Linda at raumbedarf@kaos.berlin. We will then add you to our waiting list.
In the meantime, we need your financial support to make this project possible and appreciate every cooperative share and loan.
- What are the advantages of investing membership in the cooperative?
As an investing member of the cooperative, you become part of our extended KAOS cosmos and will receive many essential pieces of information firsthand. A lot happens here, both internally and externally. From playful activities like shared boat trips to numerous public events such as concerts, readings, and much more.
As a member of the community, you also get discounts at our infamous KAOS parties.
You are welcome to try things out with us! We offer professional infrastructure for many activities, which we are happy to provide (sometimes for a fee) for good causes.
Additionally, you will receive an annual return of 1% on your shares. Of course, this isn’t a get-rich investment, but it’s still something!
- What obligations come with investing membership in the cooperative?
You must obtain at least one share in the cooperative, which amounts to €100, plus a one-time processing fee of €30 for administrative costs and contracts. After that, no further mandatory costs will be incurred!
There are also no other obligations. No mandatory work assignments, no required attendance at meetings, or anything like that!
Of course, we would still be happy for your help if you ever want to contribute voluntarily.
- Am I liable with assets beyond my cooperative shares?
No. A so-called obligation to make additional contributions is explicitly excluded in our bylaws. This means that, in the event of the cooperative’s insolvency, no further claims will be made against you. Only your shares in the cooperative and possibly the repayment of your loan would then be at risk.
Thanks to the annual audits by experts from the Cooperative Audit Association – we are registered with the largest German audit association, Genoverband e.V. – our cooperative is very well supported, which significantly reduces the risk of financial difficulties.
Overall, the insolvency rate for cooperatives in Germany is just 0.1 percent.
- What is the difference between investing members and regular members of the cooperative?
Investing members are silent partners in the cooperative. They are invited to general assemblies but do not have voting rights. They are kept informed about developments and events within the cooperative, becoming part of the support circle and an extended part of the community.
Regular members are full members of the cooperative with all voting rights. Everyone who uses space with us on a long-term basis must become a member of the cooperative and a shareholder.
The type of membership can be adjusted in either direction if your usage changes.
- Who is the philanthropist?
Our supporter prefers not to be named. He likes to operate in the background.
- How much does Wilhelminenhofstraße 93 cost?
We estimate the total financial requirement, including the purchase price and renovation costs, to be 12 million euros. The purchase is planned for October 2024.
A philanthropist is supporting us with a significant sum in the millions to strengthen the nonprofit use of the property. We will take out an additional million in loans. For this, we need at least 500,000 euros in equity and your help!
The owner of the property is a multinational real estate speculator. His plans to turn the property into a soulless office complex will fail if you help us buy the property.
- What is the condition of the buildings at Wilhelminenhofstraße 93?
We are working with various experts and surveyors to assess the condition of the existing buildings and to develop our concrete usage plans. Among them is Frieder Rock, an experienced project manager who has already helped purchase several properties cooperatively in Berlin. Additionally, we are collaborating with architects, fire safety engineers, structural engineers, building technicians, and more.
The structural condition of the buildings is generally good. The roofs are intact, the walls are thick, and the ground is free of contaminants. However, most of the technical infrastructure is no longer in place. Electricity, water, heating, and internet need to be newly installed. Windows, doors, and floors also need to be partially replaced.
- What will happen to the current location at Wilhelminenhofstraße 92?
We have to give up the current location. The owner of Wilhelminenhofstraße 92 is not providing us with a long-term perspective, planning security, or support to undertake the urgently needed renovation work. Continuing operations under these conditions is not an option.
Depending on who takes over the halls after us, the existing installations may need to be removed, and the halls handed over „broom-clean.“
- Why should I help?
The Creative Work Community OberSchöneweide (KAOS) is a unique interdisciplinary workspace and cultural site that embodies creativity, solidarity, and collaboration. For over 11 years, KAOS has energized and enriched the neighborhood with a dynamic workspace for 120 creatives from various trades, fields, and artists.
Without your help, KAOS will soon disappear, becoming part of the ongoing, gradual exodus of art and creative spaces from Berlin. Only together can we preserve the typical Berlin mix of craftsmanship, art, and culture and protect our vibrant, creative neighborhood.
The current owner of the site is a multinational real estate speculator. His plans to turn the site into a soulless office complex will fail if you help us purchase the property.
- How can I help?
Become part of the KAOS cooperative and help us with a loan!
Step 1: You become a co-owner and investing member of our cooperative.
optionally,
Step 2: Once you are an investing member of the cooperative, we can accept a loan from you. It starts at 1,000 euros! We offer two options: 1% interest with a 5-year term, or 2% interest with a 10-year term. The guaranteed terms provide us with the necessary planning security for the development of the property.
With this link, you can go directly to the form we use to create your contracts: www.kaosberlin.de/kaos93/en/#form.
- Where can I find the bylaws of Kunst- und Gewerbehof KAOS eG?
You can find the bylaws here as a PDF:
https://kaos.berlin/satzung (PDF)
The cooperative was founded on May 29, 2024, and is currently being thoroughly reviewed by our cooperative audit association, Genoverband e.V. It is still in the founding phase (iGr).
We have the unique opportunity to permanently secure the Creative Work Community OberSchöneweide (KAOS).
Die Kunst- und Gewerbehof KAOS eG (in formation) aims to purchase the property at Wilhelminenhofstraße 93.
This can only happen with financial support, and we need your help to make it a reality.
Come by and see for yourself! We will publicly present the KAOS 93 project, introduce ways to help, and answer your questions! Additionally, we can explore the new building together to get an on-site impression.
Information Events:
20 September at 18:00 (EN)
27 September at 18:00 (DE)
Both events at KAOS in Wilhelminenhofstr. 92 in 12459 Berlin.
29 September at 11:30 – Online DE (please register!)
6 October at 13:00 – Online EN (please register!)
You already know KAOS and want to give us a loan?
For the preservation of the Creative Work Community OberSchöneweide (KAOS)
KAOS is a unique interdisciplinary workspace and cultural site for creativity, solidarity, and collaboration.
For over 11 years, the Creative Work Community OberSchöneweide (KAOS) has revitalized and enriched the neighborhood with a vibrant workspace for 130 artists and creatives from various trades and fields.
The regular art and cultural events organized by the nonprofit KAOS e.V. have a significant impact on the neighborhood. They enrich the community through concerts, exhibitions, improv theater, workshops, readings, markets, and the co-organization of neighborhood and street festivals, a cargo bike rental service, as well as events focused on political education.
Together, we are purchasing Wilhelminenhofstraße 93
Our current location at Wilhelminenhofstraße 92 must be vacated in 2025. That’s why we are purchasing Wilhelminenhofstraße 93 together!
This 5,000m² plot along the Spree River, directly across from the KAOS Creative Work Community (which has existed for 11 years), includes three buildings with a total of 3,600m² of usable space.
The previous tenants, crafts businesses, and art studios were displaced a few years ago by the current owner, and since then, the buildings have been vacant. Vandalism and a fire have made extensive renovations necessary. We aim for sustainable continued use of the existing structures. The building structure will be preserved and strengthened where needed.
To achieve this, we are founding the cooperative Kunst- und Gewerbehof KAOS eG i.Gr. Its goal is to permanently remove the site from the speculative real estate market and place it under democratic control.
KAOS remains as it is, just bigger and forever in Oberschöneweide
The art and craft courtyard KAOS at Wilhelminenhofstraße 93 aims to secure affordable, interdisciplinary workspaces in the long term, cultivate a peaceful community, and regularly offer low-threshold cultural formats for the people in the neighborhood.
In addition to the existing non-profit organizations from the KAOS cosmos, such as KAOS e.V., more non-profit associations and companies are expected to settle there.
Furthermore, KAOS is intended to become a long-term home for many individual businesses in all imaginable trades, including art, craft, and design. We want to grow from the current 130 members to a diverse mix of up to 300 creative professionals..
Even more opportunities for the neighborhood
In addition to the cultural and educational events, you can also hang out at the planned café, rent modernly equipped workshop and conference rooms, participate in yoga, Pilates, and similar activities, use the repair café, and rent our event space by the Spree for private events.
€12 million total investment sum
We estimate the total financial requirement, including the purchase price and renovation costs, to be 12 million euros. The purchase is planned for October 2024.
A philanthropist is supporting us with a significant amount in the millions to strengthen the non-profit use of the site.
We will take out an additional loan in the millions.
For this, we need at least 500,000€ in equity and your help!
Become part of the KAOS cooperative and help us with a loan
Only together can we preserve the unique Berlin mix of craft, art, and culture, and protect our vibrant, creative neighborhood.
The current owner of the site is a multinational real estate speculator. His plans to turn the area into a soulless office complex will fail if you help us transform the site into KAOS.
Step 1: Become a member and purchase shares!
You become a co-owner and investing member of our cooperative. It costs €100 for a cooperative share plus a €30 processing fee. You’ll get the €100 back if you leave the cooperative, and you’ll earn 1% interest on your shares.
As an investing member, you support the cooperative’s idea without renting space or having voting rights. You are invited to our general meetings and can get involved if you wish.
You can also purchase additional shares in the cooperative. Buy as many as you like; we appreciate every contribution, big or small. You can cancel your shares with a one-year notice period.
Important to know!
Cooperative shares are not a risk-free investment but rather an entrepreneurial participation. They are not protected against total loss. In the event that the cooperative faces financial difficulties, its creditors take priority over you. Additionally, any potential loss will be proportionally deducted from your shares when they are paid out.
Step 2: You can help us even more with a loan!
Once you become an investing member of the cooperative, we can legally accept a loan from you. That’s how the law is structured.
Starting at €1,000, you can provide a loan. The guaranteed terms offer us the planning security needed for the development of the property. We offer two options:
1% interest with a 5-year term
2% interest with a 10-year term
Important to know!
Your loan is a so-called subordinated loan. If the cooperative faces financial difficulties, your loan will be repaid last.
To reduce your risk, you make a binding commitment to the loan, but the transfer only becomes due once the purchase contract is signed. By then, a bank, the cooperative auditing association, and other professionals will have reviewed our financial and business plans. However, there remains a residual risk! If things go badly, you could lose your money.
▼ Yes, I want to help KAOS!
Let’s seize this historic opportunity together
It is absolutely unique that a philanthropist is supporting us with millions. It is absolutely unique that the property directly across the street is up for sale. Now we just need a little more money to make the impossible possible.
Let’s seize this future! Become part of history!
Any more questions?
Feel free to send us a message at volker@kaos.berlin, and you’ll get the help you need!
You can find our bylaws at: kaos.berlin/satzung
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