One of the most famous grandstands in grand prix racing is being restored to former glory – but with a modern twist.

The stand which is adjacent to the old AVUS track – home to the German Grands Prix of 1926 and 1959 – has been left to decay in recent years, but has been saved from demolition by an Iran-born entrepreneur, Hamid Djadda, who will turn it into smart apartments for those who want some motor sport history with their mortgage.

Opened in 1921, AVUS – essentially two sides of the world’s first motorway, the A115, with links at either end – originally had a lap length of more than 12 miles and the steeply banked North Curve was for many years its distinguishing feature. It hosted speed-record attempts, as well as race events, but over time safety considerations led to it becoming both shorter and flatter. Its final meeting took place in 1998 and the grandstand subsequently fell into disrepair.

Djadda aims to retain the stand’s original structure and convert the space into a complex of offices and shops, with a café-event area that will be themed to commemorate the circuit’s history.

“It came about by chance. The first thing I saw when I drove into Berlin six years ago was the rotten, ugly stand. I got really angry that they would allow such a historical monument to decay,” said Djadda.

He bought the shell and spent two years obtaining planning permits. “The roof will be constructed exactly as it was. The remainder should be finished by 2021.” Which is, coincidentally, the venue’s centenary anniversary…

German motor sport promoter ADAC has plans to hold a demonstration event around the old circuit to coincide with both the grandstand’s reopening and the anniversary.