Berlin Marzahn-Hellersdorf: development and life in the district
After the fall of the Wall, Marzahn-Hellersdorf was long regarded as a place people preferred to steer clear of. But a variety of measures, such as the construction of new district centers and the creation of many green spaces, have been counteracting this image for several years. At the latest with the Gardens of the World, which opened in 2017 for the International Garden Exhibition (IGA), an oasis was created between slabs and single-family homes, which has greatly increased the quality of life in Marzahn-Hellersdorf and attracts more and more people here. What else the Stadttiel has to offer, we will show you in the following chapters.
Real estate market in Berlin Marzahn-Hellersdorf
The area has been experiencing a revival for several years and is extremely popular, especially with students. Its facades no longer look as drab and gray as they did in GDR times. Adorned with colorful artwork, they are a reflection of the colorful and multicultural life in Marzahn-Hellersdorf. After all, the cult buildings not only attract students to the eastern edge of the capital, but Marzahn-Hellersdorf is also becoming increasingly popular with families and newcomers from Germany and abroad. This, together with the increased settlement of companies, ensures that purchasing power is rising continuously and that a thoroughly positive change is taking place.
Existing buildings
Average rental prices
8
EUR / m²
+7.68%
Average purchase prices
3,689
EUR / m²
+23.28%
Rental offers
387
-18.67%
Purchase offers
73
+2.09%
New builds
Average rental prices
10.77
EUR / m²
+7.31%
Average purchase prices
5,111
EUR / m²
+11.17%
Rental offers
102
+7.09%
Purchase offers
37
-4.52%
Average rental prices
8
EUR / m²
+7.68%
Average purchase prices
3,689
EUR / m²
+23.28%
Rental offers
387
-18.67%
Purchase offers
73
+2.09%
Marzahn-Hellersdorf: Real estate supply and development
Above all, the pronounced stock of family homes contributes to the attractiveness of Marzahn-Hellersdorf as a place to live. Despite several new construction projects, however, demand far exceeds supply. Rental apartments are also rather scarce, especially due to the low privatization rate of prefabricated buildings after the fall of the Wall. However, although the market for multifamily housing is smaller than in other districts, a positive price dynamic has been emerging for several years. In particular, the newly created district centers and green spaces are encouraging the emergence of new construction projects.
Offer of properties for rent and sale in Marzahn-Hellersdorf
How are property prices developing in Marzahn-Hellersdorf?
The market for condominiums has been small to date, but has been expanding for several years. The high level of interest in single-family homes means that prices for property are also rising steadily in Marzahn-Hellersdorf. The steadily increasing popularity suggests that this trend will continue.
Purchase price (m²) in Marzahn-Hellersdorf
Existing building
Average purchase prices
3,689
EUR / m²
+23.28%
New builds
Average purchase prices
5,111
EUR / m²
+11.17%
Average purchase price Marzahn-Hellersdorf
Current rental prices and development
Since only a small proportion of existing apartments were privatized after the fall of the Wall, the market for apartment buildings and rental apartments in Marzahn-Hellersdorf is smaller than in other parts of the capital. Despite an overall increase in rents in recent years, these prices are still well below the Berlin average. The structural change that is taking place suggests that prices will continue to rise in the coming years.
Average rental prices in Marzahn-Hellersdorf
Existing building
Average purchase prices
3,689
EUR / m²
+23.28%
New builds
Average purchase prices
5,111
EUR / m²
+11.17%
The population of the district
About 274,000 people live in Marzahn-Hellersdorf, and the population can be described as homogeneous. However, this fact has been changing in recent years. Because of the comparatively cheap housing, the many green spaces and the good location, more and more young people, families and also international visitors are attracted to the district. This means that Marzahn-Hellerdorf, just like many other Berlin districts, is at the beginning of an exciting development and, accordingly, a demographic change will take place.
Migration in Marzahn-Hellersdorf
Moves in
Persons
+4.78 %
Moves out
Persons
+8.82 %
In the year 2021, development compared to the previous year
Living in Berlin Marzahn-Hellersdorf
One can say about many Berlin districts that they are contrasting, and this statement would be absolutely justified. But probably in no other district is this interplay of big city and country idyll as stark as in Marzahn-Hellersdorf. You can see this most clearly from a bird's eye view when you let your gaze wander over Germany's largest prefabricated housing estate and then, almost right next to it, discover the medieval and pretty village center of Alt-Marzahn with its windmill.
The prefabricated housing estate in Marzahn was built in the 1970s, when the housing shortage was so high that a lot of living space had to be made available quickly. At that time, the high-rise apartments were luxurious and the idea was that the doctor lived here next to the saleswoman. In the early days of the settlement this was also the case, but the composition of the tenants changed in the following years and Marzahn got its not-so-good reputation.
In the meantime, however, the district has continued to develop and is undergoing a transformation. The people of Marzahn themselves swear by their district, because here they have the absolute big city feeling, but also a lot of recreation. You just have to get involved and get to know the surroundings, then you will realize how green and varied Marzahn is. You can hike here for miles or explore by bike and take this opportunity to visit, for example, the largest Chinese garden in Europe. You don't think so? You can learn more about it under „Sights“ and in the other chapters that follow.
The district of Marzahn-Hellersdorf is located in the very east of Berlin, bordering Lichtenberg to the west, Köpenick to the south and the state of Brandenburg to the east. The district is divided as follows: Marzahn district includes the districts of Marzahn and Biesdorf. The Hellersdorf district includes the districts of Hellersdorf, Kaulsdorf and Mahlsdorf.
Marzahn and Hellersdorf are known for their incredible number of high-rise buildings, in all other districts you can expect a more village-like character with many single-family houses and lots of greenery. By the way, the prefabricated buildings in Marzahn and Hellersdorf are in demand among people who prefer new construction rather than old buildings, and at a price that is still affordable. It is also important to note that some of the prefabricated buildings have been deconstructed and, with increased green spaces, a different overall image has, and continues, to emerge.
Marzahn-Hellersdorf is highly attractive as a business location because a great deal of importance is attached here to a well-connected variety of industries. Together with the neighboring district of Lichtenberg to the west, Marzahn shares the largest commercial area in Berlin, where several well-known employers are already represented. There are various commercial areas throughout Marzahn, including, for example, "Marzahn Impuls", which has developed into a trend-setting commercial location, especially in recent years, where thousands of new jobs have been created.
World". Here you can immerse yourself in garden art from different countries in the ten international themed gardens and nine other garden areas. The Chinese garden is particularly popular. It is the largest of its kind in Europe. In the middle of it all is an impressive tea house where you can learn about the Far Eastern tea ceremony.
And while you're in the gardens of the world, you can take a cable car to the Wolkenhain viewing platform at the top of Kienberg Mountain. From here you have a 50 kilometer wide view over Berlin and its surroundings.
If you are one of the sporty people, then you should not miss this highlight: The Wuhletalwächter, a large concrete climbing tower with a height of over 17 meters and a base area of 100 square meters, is located in the middle of Marzahn and invites you to challenging climbing and bouldering adventures.
In Marzahn-Hellerdorf there are not as many restaurants, bars and cafes as in some other districts. Nevertheless, you can discover a few insider tips here and we would like to introduce you to three of them. If you're in the mood for something other than the usual Italian or home-style cooking, try the Gémeskut Csárda inn in Mahlsdorf. Here you can expect Hungarian cuisine with hearty meat dishes and delicious wines. Our next tip will make the hearts of steak lovers beat faster: Steakhaus Marzahn serves quality meat from Black Angus cattle from the USA, for example, or the finest Wagyu meat from Australia. Our last tip takes you to the restaurant "Zur S-Bahn," which is located across from the Kaulsdorf S-Bahn station and also lives up to its name inside. Here you can see, among other things, old carriage doors and benches from the 20s.
However, if you are looking for real nightlife with clubs and bars, then you can also get to Friedrichshain or Prenzlauer Berg quite quickly. It only takes about 20 minutes by car to get there.
Shopping in Marzahn-Hellersdorf
A popular shopping hotspot in Marzahn is the shopping center "Eastgate". The architecturally extraordinarily designed huge building offers 150 stores with a wide range of products on two levels. There are other shopping centers in Marzahn, where you can store to your heart's content at major retail brands. The most famous shopping street in the district is Marzahner Promenade with many stores and other shopping centers.
In contrast to the large shopping malls, we would like to introduce you to another small institution and that is the weekly market at Helene-Weigel-Platz. For many years it has been offering its visitors culinary delicacies and is also a meeting place for small conversations among neighbors. Thus, a visit to the weekly market has become a bodily ritual for many Marzahn residents.
The infrastructure in Marzahn-Hellersdorf is very well developed and corresponds to what one would expect from a metropolitan district. Schools, doctors, stores for daily needs - everything can be found here. Even in the quieter parts of town, such as Kaulsdorf or Mahlsdorf, there are several supermarkets and discount stores, for example, as well as a good selection of school types.
The local and long-distance public transportation in Marzahn-Hellersdorf is very well developed. There are numerous streetcar lines and buses, as well as S-Bahn lines. With all means of transportation, you can travel quickly within the district and also reach other Berlin districts very easily. And due to the good road network, motorists are also happy about fast journeys within and outside Berlin.
What does Milieuschutz mean? And does it exist in Marzahn-Hellersdorf? Milieuschutz means that a certain type of development and also a certain social composition may not be changed and are thus to be protected. In this way, a displacement of, for example, normal earners by too high rents in luxury properties can be counteracted. In Marzahn-Hellersdorf, there are currently no areas under this protection, but due to the trend towards housing privatization in Marzahn as well, the corresponding development in this district is being monitored by politicians.
