Lichtenberg is located in the east of the German capital and has been appearing more and more frequently on the radar in recent years. Students, families and creative artists in particular are drawn to this district, where different architectural styles come together. In Lichtenberg, everyday interaction between residents is the top priority. If you want to party, you will find trendy clubs and discos in nearby Rummelsburg. Friedrichshain, with its chic cafés and distinctive neighborhoods, is also very close by.
In this article, you will find out why Lichtenberg is becoming increasingly popular, where you can find affordable housing and how this pretty district is divided up. We look at the individual areas of the district and analyze the real estate market for both rental properties and condominiums.
The location of the district of Lichtenberg in Berlin
Buying or selling property in Lichtenberg
The changes in Berlin and the surrounding area are impossible to ignore. Until a few decades ago, numerous districts of the German capital were under the radar. They were run-down and considered typical working-class neighborhoods.
However, Berlin has changed significantly in recent years. The city has become the European center for creativity, artists and start-ups. Numerous new companies have been established and more and more well-heeled people are moving to Berlin. It cannot be denied that the German capital has been facing a dilemma for some years now: living space is becoming increasingly scarce. Real estate prices are rising, both for properties for sale and for rental properties. But despite the high prices, Berlin remains a very good market for investors. Lichtenberg is no exception. The district has a very special flair and combines the city’s most popular features. Residents greatly appreciate the residential area. In Lichtenberg, beautiful old buildings meet high-quality, luxurious new-build projects. Just how popular the district is also becomes clear when you look at the prices. We explain what you need to be prepared for as a seller or buyer, what prices you can expect on the real estate market and how to find the right property.
Purchase price trends for real estate in Lichtenberg
Berlin is experiencing a real estate boom. There is no end in sight, as prices have been rising steadily for several years now. This can be observed in the Price index. In the past 12 months, prices have risen by 15 percent, which is 3 percentage points above the average increase in Berlin. Overall, however, prices are slightly below average in a direct comparison with Berlin as a whole. The price in the fourth quarter of 2022 is € 4,261/m2 for condominiums and € 5,093 €/m2 for houses.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the cheapest apartment in Lichtenberg was offered at a price of €3,440/m2, while the most expensive apartment was to be sold at a price of €8,867/m2.
Find out below how prices differ for properties for sale and for rent and what trends can be observed
What does a condominium in Lichtenberg cost?
The average prices for real estate in Berlin-Lichtenberg cannot be stated precisely. There is no government data to rely on at this point. We therefore have to rely on information from various real estate platforms.
One of our most important sources mentions an average purchase price of € 4,550/m2 for the third quarter of 2022. platform calculates an average price of € 4,261/m2 for condominiums in the fourth quarter of 2022.
This results in an expected value of between €4,200/m2 and €4,600/m2. Prices vary greatly, which is why we advise you to always analyze and price specific properties at this point. In addition, the prices of existing apartments differ significantly from new builds. New-build properties are generally much more expensive than renovated old apartments. The materials used are of a high quality and costly renovation or refurbishment work is to be expected much later in the case of a new-build apartment.
How much does a house in Lichtenberg cost?
The average house prices in Lichtenberg are higher than the purchase prices for apartments. In most cases, these are beautiful and exclusive old buildings with ornate facades that set them apart from other residential buildings and rental complexes. If you want to buy a house in Lichtenberg, you must have very good contacts and an excellent real estate agent. These properties are rare and it sometimes takes time to find the right house.
The average purchase prices in Q4 2022 are in a range between 3,751 €/m2 and € 8,434/m2.
As with apartments, it is essential to analyze and evaluate each property individually.
The rental price trend in Lichtenberg
The high demand for real estate is also having an impact on rental prices in Berlin-Lichtenberg. An increase in prices can be observed for both houses and apartments. The average increase in Berlin-Lichtenberg is 9 percent. This is considerable, but is still well below the average rent increase at Berlin level, which is 21 percent. The following was observed for these Analysis a period of 12 months.
How high is the rent for an apartment in Lichtenberg?
As with the purchase prices, there is no official information on the average price of rents in the Berlin-Lichtenberg district. We therefore refer at this point to reliable sources. The most expensive property was let in the third quarter of 2022 in Rüdigerstrasse for a price of € 19.10/m2. The cheapest offer was in Albert-Hößler-Strasse and was let for €5.30/m2.
The average rental price for apartments in Lichtenberg in the fourth quarter of 2022 at € 10.32/m2, which corresponds to a price increase of 4% compared to the third quarter of 2021. The largest price increase took place between 2020 and 2022. Overall, a price increase of 17% can be observed from the fourth quarter of 2018 to the third quarter of 2022. The most expensive properties were rented for a price of €19.50/m2 in Q4 2022, while the cheapest offers had a rental price of €9.01/m2. The prices refer to the basic rent of a property.
How high is the rent for a house in Lichtenberg?
The rents for houses in the Berlin-Lichtenberg district are at € 14.83/m2 in Q4 2022. This corresponds to a price increase of 10% within the last 12 months.
In the fourth quarter of the year 2022 the cheapest rental properties in Lichtenberg were in the €13.38/m2 price segment, while the most expensive properties were rented at a price of €21.26/m2.
The districts and localities of the district of Lichtenberg
Until a few years ago, the district of Berlin-Lichtenberg, which is located in the east of the German capital, was considered a dingy part of Berlin. But a lot has changed in recent times. More new buildings are being constructed and living space for young families is being created. The district borders Pankow to the northwest, Brandenburg to the north, Marzahn-Hellersdorf to the east, Treptow-Köpenick to the south and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg to the west. Residents appreciate its proximity to the city center. The district is extremely well connected to the public transport network and is therefore very central. At the same time, there are quiet residential areas where young families feel at home and where children can grow up undisturbed.
The district of Berlin-Lichtenberg is made up of a total of 10 districts:
- Wartenberg
- Falkenberg
- Malchow
- New Hohenschönhausen
- Alt-Hohenschönhausen
- Fennpfuhl
- Lichtenberg
- Rummelsburg
- Friedrichsfelde
- Karlshorst
You can now find out what distinguishes each of these districts and what special features you need to consider when looking for accommodation:
Lichtenberg district
The district of Lichtenberg in the center of the district of the same name surrounds the former village center. As you stroll around, you will come across old buildings from the Wilhelminian era. There is no mistaking the ornate façades and it is clear what magnificent buildings were erected in Berlin around 1920. On Roedeliusplatz, the former village center of Alt-Lichtenberg, stands the St. Antonius & St. Shenouda Church, which was previously known as a religious church.
The huge complex of the Ministry for State Security from the GDR era cannot be overlooked. Today, the district’s tax office is located here. The Parkaue, Lichtenberg’s city park, is located to the west of Möllendorffstraße.
Those looking for shopping opportunities will find what they are looking for in the Möllendorffpassagen or the Ringcenter II and III. Overall, the development in Lichtenberg is very mixed. Between the old buildings from the 1920s are new multi-storey buildings. In the south of the district, south of Frankfurter Allee, there are mainly prefabricated buildings from the 1970s. The longest residential building in Berlin at the time is located here, measuring 350 meters in total.
The district of Fennpfuhl
The Fennpfuhl district is green and colorful at the same time. One of the most striking buildings in the district is the Gustavo high-rise on Franz-Jacob-Straße. The façade is part of a renovated prefabricated high-rise building and is one of Fennpfuhl’s landmarks.
The Anton-Saefkow-Platz is particularly central. Numerous prefabricated houses were built here in the 1970s under the GDR regime. One could speak of a large housing estate with Anton-Saefkow-Platz at its center. However, there are not only residential buildings here, but also a department store, an indoor swimming pool, a sports hall and numerous stores.
Another highlight of this district is Anton-Saefkow-Park. The Fennpfuhl and Fennpfuhlpark are located right next to it. The Pfuhl is a small body of water that is only one and a half meters deep. An artificial water circuit ensures that the pond does not fill up with mud and that the water remains clean. The residents of the district enjoy the green space, which covers almost ten hectares. The park is filled with old and young trees, there are also small meadow areas for picnics and sculptures by various artists. But that’s not all. The Fennpfuhl district has several green spaces and an allotment garden. The latter is located in the very north of the district. The garden area borders the Sportforum, which is the center for competitive sports in Berlin, as well as the Volkspark Prenzlauer Berg.
The district of Rummelsburg
Probably the most popular residential area in Rummelsburg is located on Lake Rummelsburg. This is where the Rummelsburg water town is located, which is made up of luxury apartments. Many of them have a view of the water and a doorman. There are also studio houses and terraced houses. To the north of the main road are smaller housing estates. The houses date from the 1920s and 1930s. In addition to multi-storey buildings, there are also owner-occupied housing estates here.
The Nöldnerplatz S-Bahn station is located at the park in Weitlingkiez and connects the district with Berlin city center and Ostkreuz. Weitlingkiez is best known for its complex school building from the 1930s. It was designed by Max Taut and is complemented by a skating rink and a playground. In addition to quiet apartment blocks, a sports stadium and schools, there are numerous residential complexes by renowned architects that are now listed buildings.
The Kaskelkiez, also known as Victoriastadt, is located in the north-west of Rummelsburg. This is a residential area from the Wilhelminian era. Numerous original houses, with workshops and sheds in their backyards, have been preserved. The stucco façades of the buildings in Pfarrstraße enchant the entire district. After reunification, the residential area was renovated in line with the requirements of monument protection and today attracts many people who want to get to know Berlin from its original side.
The district of Falkenberg
Falkenberg is best known for its old village center, its animal shelter and its beautiful nature. This is where old meets new, because while films have already been shot in Europe’s most modern animal shelter, the only remaining village cottage in the German capital is located in the former village center. The Falkenberg Rieselfelder nature reserve was an agricultural area until a few decades ago. Today, special breeds of horses and cattle graze peacefully in the tall grass here. Visitors to the nature reserve can observe quails, greylag geese, lapwings, newts, toads and frogs in the wild. The former village center with its farm workers’ houses and clay cottage is located on Gehrensee. Right next to it are detached houses, the owner-occupied housing estate in the Falkenberger Auen and a housing estate from the 1930s. The public park Gutspark Falkenberg was once bought by the mother of the Humboldt brothers and belonged to the family until well into the 20th century. After many years of neglect, the baroque estate park was recently reconstructed and is now a popular excursion destination on the outskirts of Berlin.
Overall, the district of Falkenberg is known for its tranquillity and beautiful nature. The district is located on the northern edge of Berlin and borders Brandenburg.
The district of Karlshorst
Karlshorst is known for its trotting track as well as its villas. The district was therefore often referred to as the Dahlem of East Berlin in the past. Today, more and more people are moving to this beautiful district. This is not surprising, as there are housing estates from the 1920s and 1930s, Wilhelminian-style villas, owner-occupied areas and large apartment buildings. In recent years, most of the properties have been renovated and refurbished so that they now shine in new splendor.
The district is divided into north and south by the S-Bahn S3 line. To the north of the S-Bahn line, there are mainly villas and detached houses from the Wilhelminian era. In the south, on the other hand, new construction projects dominate, such as the Carlsgarten at the Karlshorst harness racing track. In the Waldsiedlung Wuhlheide, around Hegemeisterweg, there is a terraced housing estate from the 1920s, which is now a listed building. The detached houses and apartment buildings have gardens and stables where small animals can be kept. The brightly colored houses are particularly striking. While the facades of the houses are painted wine red, light gray or ochre, the stores and doors in blue and green provide a great contrast. The streets are narrow and lined with trees.
The district of Alt-Hohenschönhausen
This district is made up of a wide variety of properties. There are villas by the lake, as well as housing estates and prefabricated buildings. The villas mainly date from the Wilhelminian era, while the prefabricated buildings were added in the 1970s. It was a huge housing project with over 8,000 apartments, in which space was created for around 25,000 people.
The prefabricated buildings stand in stark contrast to the original village center and Hohenschönhausen Castle. Although it was planned to skilfully integrate the romantic village into the growing city, this project could not really be implemented harmoniously. The busy main road is difficult to reconcile with the Tabor church and the preserved manor houses.
The villa district, which used to be known as the Wannsee of the north, is located on Orankesee. The first houses were built here in the 1890s. Today, the lake is mainly lined with semi-detached and terraced houses that exude a high degree of luxury.
The Märkisches Viertel is one of the best-known parts of Art-Hohenschönhausen. Strausberger Platz is centrally located. The tenements, which date from the early 20th century, are grouped around this square. Numerous buildings, such as the Bauhaus-style Gertrudenhof, which was built in 1933, are now listed buildings and have been extensively renovated.
The district of Neu-Hohenschönhausen
The cityscape of Neu-Hohenschönhausen is characterized by prefabricated buildings from the 1980s and large green spaces. Until a few decades ago, this part of the German capital was considered Berlin’s vegetable garden. And even today, the green spaces, such as the Malchower Auenpark and the Barnimer Parklandschaft, immediately catch the eye. There are allotment gardens around the district, which the residents of the metropolis are only too happy to use.
The Falkenberger Krugwiesen nature reserve is located in the south-east of the district. The Faule See lake is picturesque and forms the center of the green area, which covers around 42 hectares in total. Birds and other small animals live here.
The Falkenberger Chaussee and the S75 divide Neu-Hohenschönhausen into four districts. All areas of the district are characterized primarily by new prefabricated buildings that were built around 40 years ago and have since been renovated.
The district of Malchow
In Malchow, the original village character has been preserved to this day. In terms of population, the district is the smallest in the German capital. The flair is clearly disturbed by the B2, which runs through the middle of the district. Nevertheless, war damage and new buildings have done nothing to harm the pretty district. Lake Malchow, with its old trees, extensive green spaces and stately manor house, is a popular recreational area for Berlin residents.
Malchow still has a few manor houses dating back to the 19th century. Most of the buildings were constructed in the 1930s. There are numerous owner-occupied and rental apartments here.
The district of Wartenberg
The district has undergone significant changes in recent years, but has still managed to retain a small touch of its village charm. In addition to detached houses and apartment buildings, there are mainly farmhouses from long-forgotten times. In the south of the district, there is an old estate that has been extensively renovated. It is a listed building and is located near a pretty square lined with chestnut and redthorn trees. During the GDR era, the engineering school was located here. But the last 30 years have brought significant changes. The residential park is surprisingly quiet. There are semi-detached houses, terraced houses and detached houses here. The district is easy to reach by private vehicle, but is relatively cut off from public transport.
The district of Friedrichsfelde
Friedrichsfelde also still has an old village center, which is clearly visible. In addition to the inspector’s house, there is an old village church reminiscent of long-forgotten times. The boys’ school has been reconstructed and there are several farmhouses and tenements from the end of the 19th century.
But besides the village center, Friedrichsfelde has much more to offer. Friedrichsfelde Palace and the zoo are particularly popular. The latter is considered the largest landscape zoo in Europe and is home to more than 9,000 animals. The zoological garden is one of Berlin’s most popular excursion destinations. Friedrichsfelde Palace is located in the middle of the park. It was completed in 1685 and is now used as an event venue and museum.
In the north and south of the district, there are mainly prefabricated buildings. In the north, this is the residential area around Kowalkestraße, Charlottenstraße and Rosenfelder Ring. Six-storey and five-storey residential buildings can be found here. There are also numerous commercial areas and office buildings in the north of Friedrichsfelde. Overall, however, three quarters of the area consists of green spaces.
The first prefabricated buildings in Germany are located in the south of the district. They date back to the early 1920s and have since been renovated. Backyards and small parks have been added to make the entire district appear greener. The residential buildings, which are up to three storeys high, are all situated around small courtyards that are used communally.
The milieu protection areas in the district of Lichtenberg at a glance
Until a few decades ago, Lichtenberg was considered a simple working-class neighborhood. However, a lot has changed in recent times. Most of the old buildings with their magnificent façades have now been extensively renovated, causing their price to rise sharply. Berlin’s politicians want to counteract the changes in the social composition of neighborhoods and are therefore designating more and more neighborhoods and streets as milieu protection areas. The district of Berlin-Lichtenberg has the Neighborhood protection areas Fanningerstraße, Weitlingstraße and Kaskelkiez.
Summary
It cannot be denied that real estate prices throughout Berlin have risen sharply in recent years. The district of Berlin-Lichtenberg was at the bottom of the league for a long time, but has recently made a big leap forward. The district is becoming increasingly popular with residents and investors. A direct comparison of average prices shows that Lichtenberg is below the Berlin real estate average. The district will continue to expand in the coming years, with new housing estates being built.
Residents value the district highly as it is ideal for young families with children. Extensive green spaces, parks, the zoo and nature reserves invite you to explore.
If you would like to find out about the demographic situation of the district, whether there are enough educational institutions and doctors and what cultural and culinary program Berlin-Lichtenberg offers, you should definitely read the continue reading this article.
