The Wrangelkiez is a residential area in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg. Until the administrative reform in 2001, Kreuzberg was an independent district of Berlin. The reform resulted in a merger with the neighboring district of Friedrichshain to form the district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. The Wrangelkiez is located in the south of Kreuzberg and offers a special residential flair. There are predominantly old buildings and virtually no detached houses. The proximity to the Spree, Görlitzer Park and the Landwehr Canal offers a wide range of recreational opportunities. You can rent or buy an apartment in the neighborhood. If you are the owner of a property in Wrangelkiez and decide to sell, in many cases you will see quick success.
Interesting facts about the Wrangelkiez
The district of Kreuzberg is centrally located in the city of Berlin. At the time of division, the district was located in the border area and thus on the outermost edge of West Berlin. A left-wing scene of squatters and dropouts established itself here in the 1980s and 1990s. Wrangelkiez is located on the eastern edge of the former postal delivery district Südost 36 (SO36) and bordered East Berlin on three sides. Today you can cycle along the former border on the Wall Trail or take a walk. Most of the old buildings date from the Gründerzeit and were not destroyed in the war. Many apartments have high ceilings and spacious rooms, which are extremely popular with many residents. The squatter scene has been gone for years. Kreuzberg, and with it the Wrangelkiez, has developed into a neighborhood for artists and freelancers. The proximity to the water, the many restaurants and the multicultural scene are very popular with residents and visitors alike.
What is the real estate situation in the Wrangelkiez?
Around 11,300 people live in the Wrangelkiez, spread across almost 7,100 households. The average household size is 1.6 people. According to a report by the Berlin-Brandenburg Office for Statistics, 5,724 apartmentsare counted in the Wrangelkiez (as at 31.12.2021). As the neighborhood has become much more important as a residential area in the last 10 years, there is currently a shortfall of just under 1,400 apartments. Demand is therefore significantly greater than supply. As a result, rents have risen in the Kiez, but also in the entire Kreuzberg district. If you want to rent or buy an apartment in the district, patience may be required. When rental apartments become available, there are usually a lot of applicants. You therefore need a bit of luck to get an apartment. The situation is advantageous for sellers, as there are also many people interested in buying apartments.
It should also be noted that the Wrangelkiez is very densely populated. The number of inhabitants is quite high compared to the size of the area. This is not least due to the dense development and the fact that there are virtually no vacancies in the neighborhood.
The purchase price trend for real estate in Wrangelkiez
The price development for the purchase of condominiums has been rising significantly for several years. The price increase for the Wrangelkiez was particularly strong in the years between 2018 and 2022, during which time the average purchase price for a condominium rose by 42%. In the fourth quarter of 2022, it stood at €5,243/m² (the values given refer to Wrangelstrasse 10 and are used here as an example). In a direct comparison, the average purchase price for Berlin as a whole was €4,320/m². These figures clearly show that the Wrangelkiez and Kreuzberg as a district are extremely popular. The high demand for living space is causing prices to rise.
This also applies to the houses for sale in Wrangelkiez. Here, the price increase is even more pronounced, rising by 50 percent between the fourth quarter of 2018 and the fourth quarter of 2022. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the average purchase price was €7,244/m² (the figures given relate to Wrangelstrasse 10 and are used here as an example). This is well above the average for Berlin as a whole of € 5,061/m².
How much does a condominium in the Wrangelkiez cost?
It is not possible to give a universal answer to the question of prices. When selling a condominium, demand determines the price. If there are many potential buyers, the seller can choose the one with the highest bid. This results in flexible prices, which depend not least on the location, size and renovation status of the apartment. There are apartments that are cheaper to buy and those that are significantly more expensive. It is therefore very difficult to make a statement for the entire neighborhood. It is therefore important for you to know that our figures are only approximate.
After years of sustained growth in purchase prices, there was stagnation for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2022. It is not yet possible to say whether this is just a temporary event or an indication of an imminent trend reversal. In any case, the situation on the real estate market remains tense. In this respect, it is advisable to keep a close eye on price trends in the Wrangelkiez if you are interested in buying or selling a condominium.
How much does a house in Wrangelkiez cost?
The development with apartment buildings from the Wilhelminian era is very dense. When buying such a property, you should bear in mind that the apartments are generally rented out and you have to take over the tenancy agreements. Tenants can only be terminated for personal use unless the tenant’s behavior gives cause for termination, which cannot normally be assumed. The purchase of a rental property generates ongoing income for the owner as a result of the rental payments. If you can prove that you or your family need the property for your own use, it is possible to use the apartment after the tenancy has been successfully terminated.
Prices higher than when buying a condominium
Property prices in Wrangelkiez are higher when buying a house than when buying a condominium. If we take Wrangelstrasse 10 as an example, the price per square meter in the fourth quarter of 2022 was €7,244/m². However, it is difficult to give an exact figure for the entire neighborhood. Demand is very high and is driving prices up, especially as the apartments in Wrangelkiez are almost exclusively rented out. We can therefore only offer you a sample value here. A close observation of the price development over a certain period of time will give you a better feel for the assessment of specific offers.
The rental price trend for real estate in the Wrangelkiez
Not only when buying an apartment or a house, but also in terms of rental prices a significant increase has been observed in the Wrangelkiez in recent years. Over the 4-year period, i.e. between the fourth quarter of 2018 and the fourth quarter of 2022, rents rose by 18%*.
As with purchase prices, prices for house rentals are also on a clear upward trend. Here, the price increase over the 4-year period amounted to 37 percent*. These figures confirm once again that the Wrangelkiez is a very popular residential area.
*The refers to Wrangelstrasse 10 and is used here as an example.
How high is the net rent for an apartment in Wrangelkiez?
With regard to the average net cold rent, it is difficult, to make a generally valid statement for the entire Wrangelkiez. We therefore refer here to Wrangelstrasse 10 as an example, where the average net rent in the fourth quarter of 2022 was €11.57/m². This is above the current average for Berlin as a whole of €10.48/m². As with property purchase prices, it is advisable to observe the development of rents in the Wrangelkiez over a longer period of time in order to be able to realistically assess offers.
How high is the net rent for a house in Wrangelkiez?
Not only the prices for buying a house in the Wrangelkiez, but also the rental prices for houses are somewhat higher than for an apartment. On average, the net cold rent was in the fourth quarter of 2022 at 18,11 €/m². The stated value relates to Wrangelstrasse 10 and is used here as an example.
The infrastructure in the Wrangelkiez
The infrastructure in Wrangelkiez shows many positive developments, which is one of the reasons why the prices for renting and buying apartments and houses remain at a consistently high level. You don’t necessarily need a car, as you can easily reach the center of Berlin as well as the outer districts and surrounding areas by public transport. There are green spaces, restaurants, good medical care as well as schools, daycare centers and shopping facilities. This means you can live well in the neighborhood without having to travel long distances.
Transport links
Transport links to the capital’s city centers are provided by bus lines 165 and 265 and by streetcar. Schlesisches Tor subway station is close to the neighborhood and is served by lines U1 and U3.
The traffic situation in Wrangelkiez
Although car use in Wrangelkiez is lower than in other Berlin neighborhoods, many residents find the traffic noise and associated emissions annoying or even a nuisance. There are around 169 cars per 1,000 inhabitants. Around 25 percent of residents use their cars regularly. Due to the tight development with multi-storey buildings, the emissions are perceived as more disturbing than would be the case in the open countryside. Residents have therefore been calling for a low-car or even car-free neighborhood for several years. Although nothing has been decided yet, the idea of a district free of motorized private transport has already attracted the attention of the Berlin Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection.
Demographic situation
The largest age group in Wrangelkiez is the 18 to 45-year-olds, followed by the 45 to 65-year-olds. Around half of the residents have a migration background. Slightly more than 30 percent of residents receive social assistance or other forms of support for living expenses.
Party shares
The Wrangelkiez belongs to the Electoral district 83 Berlin Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg – Prenzlauer-Berg-Ost. In the federal election on September 26, 2021, the Greens became the strongest party with 36.7% of the second votes, followed by the SPD with 19.2 percent and DIE LINKE with 18.1 percent. The CDU won 7.0% of the vote and the FDP 6.3%. The small parties received a comparatively high share of the vote with a total of 8.5 percent. Canan Bayram from the Greens won the direct mandate, with 37.9% of the first votes, well ahead of her competitors from the other parties.
Doctors and pharmacies
Medical care in the Wrangelkiez is really good. The same applies to the number of pharmacies. There is a wide selection of general practitioners, as well as dentists and alternative practitioners. Specialists are also represented in the neighborhood. Medical care in the neighborhood can therefore be described as outstanding.
Schools and daycare centers
Children and young people can go to school directly in the neighborhood. There is an elementary school and a secondary school, both of which are also open to children and young people from other neighborhoods. There is also a large number of daycare centers with different orientations. These include church daycare centers and those that promote bilingual education. The title of “family-friendly neighborhood” also results from the fact that there are child, youth and family centers. These take care of children and young people of all ages. Parents can get advice and help there at any time.
Shopping facilities
If you want to shop in the Wrangelkiez, you don’t have to travel far. Supermarkets, drugstores and bakeries are located directly in the neighborhood. You can also buy unusual fashion or visit one of the increasingly rare music stores.
Art and culture
Art and culture have always been very important in the SO36 district. This has not changed to this day. There are galleries, various clubs and a theater. More recently, artists and freelancers have once again settled in the district. There is a lively exchange of ideas and you can find interesting inspiration here if you are interested in art and culture.
Gastronomy
A very extensive range of restaurants awaits you directly in the neighborhood. There is a large number of cafés and restaurants. Oriental cuisine is the most popular. This means that you can enjoy a wide variety of food just around the corner.
Our Wrangelkiez tips
The Wrangelkiez is not only a great place to live, but also offers a wide variety of leisure activities. We’ll tell you which routes you can take to discover the neighborhood.
Tip 1: Neighborhood walk SO36
Take a long walk in the SO36 district, which is closely associated with the former postal delivery district due to its special history. You will discover the architecture of the Wilhelminian era, green parks, but also many different people and thus a part of Berlin that has a special fascination.
Tip 2: Going out in Wrangelstraße
In Wrangelstraße you can go out to eat, visit bars and clubs or meet up in one of the cultural venues. The street is considered by many to be the center of the Wrangelkiez.
Tip 3: The Schlesisches Tor elevated station
The U1 subway line runs in the Wrangelkiez area as an elevated line. The construction has become famous far beyond the borders of Berlin thanks to its depiction in a movie. Discover the elevated railroad on a walk beneath the line or take a ride through the center of Berlin.
Tip 4: Discover street art
Are you interested in street art? Then there is a lot for you to discover in Wrangelkiez. You can not only view the art on a walk or bike tour, but also get in touch with the artists directly.
Our conclusion on the popular Wrangelkiez in the Kreuzberg district
The Wrangelkiez is a neighborhood in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg, located on the former border with East Berlin, which has been given a special character by its lively past. Today it is a popular residential area, which is reflected in the rising cost of renting and buying apartments. The neighborhood is optimally developed and offers many opportunities for local recreation and leisure activities. It also has excellent connections to the city center and other districts of Berlin. This makes the Wrangelkiez very attractive as a residential area.
