Until well into the 21st century, the district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg in Berlin It is still clear to see that it was originally laid out as a working-class neighborhood. But a lot has changed in the last 20 years. Today, the district is primarily known for its trendy art scene and the Real estate in Kreuzberg are more popular than ever.
Find out how real estate prices have developed in recent years and what you need to look out for when searching for a suitable investment property or rental apartment in Kreuzberg in this detailed guide to buying, selling and renting residential property in Berlin Kreuzberg.
The location of the Kreuzberg district in Berlin
Purchase price trends for real estate in Kreuzberg
Purchase prices for real estate in the Kreuzberg district have risen significantly in recent years. This trend can be observed throughout Berlin and the Real estate in Kreuzberg are no exception. Here you can find out how high the prices for different types of property are and how much they have risen in recent months:
What does a condominium in Kreuzberg cost?
In the third quarter of 2022 costs a condominium in Berlin Kreuzberg on average 5,914 €/m2. Compared to the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 3.2 percentage points can be observed. If the price increase is analyzed over a 12-month period, an increase of 12.3% can be observed. The most expensive property changed hands for a purchase price of €10,420/m 2 the owner, while the cheapest offer for €5,291/m2 was sold.
The Kreuzberg district, with its average purchase price of €5,914/m2 cheaper than Berlin-Mitte (€6,940/m2), but significantly more expensive than Neukölln (€5,031/m2). A Apartment in Berlin Kreuzberg sold extremely quickly due to high demand.
How much does a house in Kreuzberg cost?
Who in buy a house in Berlin Kreuzberg must act within a short space of time. The district is one of the most densely populated parts of the city. There are many condominiums, but houses are rare. The average purchase price for a house in Berlin Kreuzberg in the third quarter of 2022 is €5,724/m 2 and therefore slightly below the average purchase price for rental apartments. However, it should be noted that the houses are usually significantly larger than the condominiums, which increases the purchase price of a property. The average The price per square meter for a house in Berlin Kreuzberg is below the value for Prenzlauer Berg (6,479 €/m2) and significantly higher than the price for houses in Neukölln (€4,154/m2).
An analysis of the price trend shows that the increase compared to the second quarter of 2022 is 1.6%. Looking at the last 12 months, a price increase of 12.3% is recognized.
The rental housing market in Kreuzberg
A significant price increase was observed for rental apartments throughout Berlin. How the Rent of a property in Berlin Kreuzberg and how prices have developed in recent months can be found here:
How high is the rent for an apartment in Kreuzberg?
Who in Berlin Kreuzberg a rent a property If you want to live in an apartment, you have to expect prices that are above the average for the whole of Berlin. The prices per square meter are in the third quarter of 2022 with an average of € 12.93/m2. With this price, Kreuzberg is above the Berlin average of €10.42/m 2. This represents an increase of 3.6% compared to the third quarter of 2021. An analysis of rental price trends between the third quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2022 shows an overall increase of 19%. In the past quarter, the most expensive property in Berlin Kreuzberg was sold at a price of €24.45/m 2 rented out. The cheapest apartment was rented at a price per square meter of € 11.64/m 2 can be rented.
Even if the prices are high, rent many young people in Berlin Kreuzberg a property. They appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and the proximity to the city center.
How high is the rent for a house in Kreuzberg?
The average rental price for houses in Kreuzberg was €16.55/m in the third quarter of 20222. Single-family homes are in short supply in this part of the German capital. It is therefore no wonder that properties are sold within a very short space of time when they come onto the market. The most expensive property was sold in the third quarter of 2022 at a price per square meter of €24.44/m 2 rented, while the cheapest house was rented at a price of € 13.29/m2 changed tenants.
Residential areas and popular neighborhoods in the Kreuzberg district
Berlin Kreuzberg is located in the center of the German capital and is popular with many people due to its diverse characteristics. An administrative reform was carried out in Berlin in 2011. The districts and neighborhoods were reassigned. As a result, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg were merged into one district. The district borders Berlin-Mitte to the west. To the southwest is the Tempelhof-Schöneberg district, to the southeast Neukölln and to the east Treptow-Köpenick. Hardly any other district in Berlin is so centrally located and yet still embodies the barrier between East and West Berlin, which has been slowly but steadily being overcome since the 1990s.
The residential location in Kreuzberg is mainly classified as basic to medium. However, this is not reflected in the prices, as these are offset by the excellent location. The housing market is changing rapidly in Kreuzberg. However, this dynamic is being counteracted by restrictive housing policy. There are numerous areas in the district that are classified as milieu protection areas. As a result, the neighborhoods in Berlin Kreuzberg and how they differ from each other historically can be found here:
Residential areas in Kreuzberg
The district Berlin Kreuzberg can be divided into several quarters can be categorized. The terms Kreuzberg 61 and Kreuzberg 36 are used particularly frequently in this context. The neighborhoods differ greatly from one another both in terms of their architecture and their residential feel. The reasons for these differences and how they affect everyday life in Kreuzberg are explained in more detail here.
Kreuzberg 61 (SW61)
South of the Landwehr Canal is the quiet, middle-class Kreuzberg district. The cityscape is characterized by old residential buildings, many of which date back to the Wilhelminian era and have since been extensively renovated. The standard of living is high, which is reflected in the prices of the properties. Kreuzberg 61 in Berlin was also well preserved during the war and shines in its former glory today. The residents appreciate the excellent location and the peace and quiet not far from the city center.
Special places in the SW61 district include Chamissoplatz, the Marheineke market hall, Viktoriaquartier and the Landwehr Canal.
Kreuzberg 36 (SO36)
The SO36 quarter is located in the north-east of the district. Berlin Kreuzberg 36 is known for its simple old buildings and office blocks. The district was badly damaged during the Second World War and was slowly rebuilt over the course of the 1970s. As a result, there are numerous buildings that date from this period and are classified as social housing. Until the 1980s, Kreuzberg 36 was considered the center of the squatter scene and alternative movement. Today, the district is known for its multiculturalism.
Another thing that shaped the district was the Berlin Wall, which surrounded the neighborhood on three sides until it fell in 1989. From a historical perspective, Kreuzberg 36 has a lot to offer its residents. Significant places include Mariannenplatz, Wassertorplatz, the Kottbusser Tor in Berlin Kreuzberg and the Wrangelkiez.
The northwest of Kreuzberg
The area around the newspaper district, Askanischer Platz and Mehringerplatz is classified as north-west Kreuzberg. This Berlin Kreuzberg district is known for the Jewish Museum, the Martin-Gropius-Bau and Checkpoint Charlie. The latter is one of Berlin’s most important attractions. Both German tourists and visitors from abroad flock to the point every day, which was a military checkpoint during the division of Germany. Today there are hardly any original buildings left here. The watchtowers and barriers have long since been replaced by replicas. The frosty atmosphere of the Cold War can still be felt here today.
The listed Mossehaus is the origin of the area around Südliche Friedrichstraße, which is now known as the newspaper district. The groundbreaking building was designed by the world-famous Erich Mendelsohn, who created the Mossehaus between 1921 and 1923. His architectural office, which had a total of 40 employees, was virtually overwhelmed with commissions.
Popular neighborhoods in Kreuzberg
Berlin Kreuzberg is generally known as a good neighborhood known. Artists, musicians and other freelancers in particular are drawn to the district in the center of Berlin. But which neighbourhoods are particularly popular with residents and visitors and what makes them stand out?
The Bergmannkiez
The Bergmannkiez in Berlin Kreuzberg is very interesting in many respects. It is located in the south of the district and is bordered by the cemeteries on Bergmannstraße, Gneisenaustraße, Fidicinistraße and Mehringdamm. The neighborhood was named after Bergmannstraße, which was originally named after Marie Luise Bergmann. She was a large landowner who owned most of the properties in this area of the city for a long time.
Most of the residential buildings date from a bygone era. They were built at the end of the 19th century and extensively renovated at the end of the 20th century. Some of the streets are cobbled and the historic gas lanterns are admired by visitors and residents alike. The residents of the neighborhood have taken it upon themselves to decorate their balconies on the stucco facades and plant pretty plants. At the weekend, you can stroll through one of the weekly markets and flea markets in Bergmannkiez. Friends meet in cafés and catch up on the latest events of the past week. In this district of Kreuzberg, you can buy culinary specialties and other groceries in the huge Marheineke market hall. Chamissoplatz is also home to an organic market that attracts numerous visitors every week.
The Graefekiez
Who knows the neighborhoods in Berlin Kreuzberg If you want to get to know the Graefekiez, you can’t miss it. Tourists love the district for its typical Berlin charm. Residents appreciate the colorful life, which is characterized by art, music and multiculturalism.
The Graefekiez is located between the Hasenheide, the Urbank hospital, the Landwehrkanal and Kottbusser Damm. The area was developed in the 1860s and most of the original buildings date back to the late 19th century. The historic buildings have since been completely renovated and adapted to today’s living standards. What remains are the high, stucco-decorated ceilings, wooden floors and pretty balconies that blend in with the façades. The Graefekiez was named after Graefestraße, which in turn took its name from the ophthalmologist Albrecht von Graefe. The infrastructure in this part of Berlin is characterized by its diversity. There are workshops, offices, small stores and doctors’ surgeries, as well as weekly markets, schools, nurseries and playgrounds. The perfect environment for young families who want to live in Berlin’s city center. The Graefekiez makes it clear why Berlin Kreuzberg such a popular neighborhood is.
The Wrangelkiez
The Wrangelkiez also stands out with its bright colors and alternative scene. For a long time, the Kiez was a rather simple residential area in the center of the German capital. However, the development that this district has undergone in recent years cannot be overlooked. Most of the buildings date back to the Wilhelminian era. The residents have created small gardens in the backyards. Overall, it is striking how green this Neighborhood in Berlin Kreuzberg is. You can find out why so many people are drawn to the Wrangelkiez and how the real estate market is developing in this part of Kreuzberg in our detailed article about Real estate in the Wrangelkiez read more.
The milieu protection areas in Kreuzberg at a glance
Berlin Kreuzberg is, like other districts in Berlin, largely subject to milieu protection. Over 50 percent of the district is defined as milieu protection areas. These are divided into six areas and have a significant influence on the development of the cityscape.
- Graefestraße
- Luisenstadt
- Bergmannstrasse-North
- Hornstrasse
- Chamissoplatz
- Kreuzberg-North
In our detailed magazine article on this interesting topic, you can find out how milieu protection affects properties in a district and what buyers, sellers and tenants in so-called milieu protection areas need to look out for.
Conclusion
Kreuzberg is located in the south-east of Berlin’s city center and was merged with Friedrichshain to form one district during the 2011 reform. Until a few decades ago, the district was shaped by the alternative movement, which is still reflected in the attitude to life that this district conveys today. Young families are drawn to Kreuzberg because the district has everything children need to grow up, from kindergartens to schools, doctors and parks. At the same time, parents can meet up with friends in one of the many bars and reflect on the past week.
The popularity of the district can also be seen in the real estate market. Prices have risen significantly in recent years. Apartments and houses are on average above the purchase price for Berlin as a whole. The rental apartments have been extensively renovated and refurbished in recent years, so that the buildings, many of which date back to the Wilhelminian era, now shine in their former glory.
In the In the second part of our series on the real estate market in Kreuzberg, we look at the attitude to life that this district conveys to its residents. How Kreuzbergers vote, how many doctors and schools are available to them and how they spend their free time are just some of the many questions we answer in this context.
