Beneath your feet lies a story etched in stone: the Zuschauertribüne am Flughafen München-Riem Stone. This grandstand stands as a silent witness to Munich’s aviation history. It is a relic from a time when the sky was the limit.
The Zuschauertribüne am Flughafen München-Riem Stone is located on the west side of the former Munich-Riem Airport. It is a slightly arched grandstand. Today, it stretches around 525 meters long.
Imagine this area bustling with activity. Spectators gathered here to witness flight days. Ernst Sagebiel designed this structure between 1937 and 1939. The Zuschauertribüne am Flughafen München-Riem Stone is accessed through 16 portals and staircases. It stands approximately 4 meters high. Facing east toward the former taxiway, the grandstand is about 25 meters wide. It is stepped with five steps leading up to ground level.
Originally, the Zuschauertribüne am Flughafen München-Riem Stone almost reached the Wappenhalle. However, the eastern part was later demolished. This was to make way for a parking garage. It was part of bridging work for the 1972 Olympics.
At the western end of the Zuschauertribüne am Flughafen München-Riem Stone, there was a final building. It was the Scheibebau. During World War II, this building housed the final assembly of the Me262. Later, in the 50s and 60s, Fouga Magisters were assembled here. It then became a warehouse.
In the further course of the Zuschauertribüne am Flughafen München-Riem Stone, there was a mushroom cultivation. There was also a vacuum chamber. A shooting range was in the last part. Below the grandstand, there was a bunker system.
The last time the Zuschauertribüne am Flughafen München-Riem Stone served as an airport visitor terrace was on August 10, 1983. The Concorde visited Riem. Part of the Zuschauertribüne am Flughafen München-Riem Stone was delimited with wire mesh for the onlookers.
Like the tower and the coat of arms hall, the Zuschauertribüne am Flughafen München-Riem Stone and the front building were placed under monument protection in 1995.
The front building, the former ticket office, is a 600 square meter building. It was partially renovated for the BUGA 2005 for around 1.5 million euros. Until mid-2014, it could be rented for events. Since mid-2014, it has not been planned to use it as an event location. This is due to newly created living space nearby. Negotiations were last held in January 2016 about possible uses. Social purposes could be a future option.
The Munich-Riem Airport closed on May 16, 1992. The new Munich Airport commenced operations the next day. The area has been redeveloped into Messestadt Riem. This includes housing projects, a shopping mall, recreational areas, and the Neue Messe München.
The Zuschauertribüne am Flughafen München-Riem Stone remains as a reminder of the past. It is a testament to Munich’s aviation history.