A walk through the east of Leipzig

Eisenbahnstraße in Leipzig, which has since been renamed Ernst-Thälmann-Straße, has existed since 1837 and is considered an important connecting road in the east of the city. It has a length of almost 2.5 kilometers, is located in the Leipzig district of Volkmarsdorf and borders on the districts of Reudnitz, Neustadt, Neuschönefeld and Sellerhausen. At the time of its foundation, it formed part of the first German long-distance railroad line and ran from Leipzig to Dresden. In 1879, however, the track was moved a few hundred meters further north, where it still lies today.

During the GDR era, the street was renamed Ernst-Thälmann-Straße, as it was mainly home to members of the working class. After reunification, it was mainly immigrants who settled in the district in the east of Leipzig. The street had a negative reputation due to its high crime rate and, thanks to the low rents, it was mainly students and artists who moved there. However, after the Gründerzeit buildings, which had been unused for decades, were renovated, the street’s quality of life showed a clear upward trend. More and more stores opened in Eisenbahnstraße, the district became increasingly popular and the multicultural character of the neighborhood creates a very special atmosphere.

A stroll along Eisenbahnstraße is a trip to foreign lands, as the district is a melting pot of cultures. From the popular kebab to Syrian bridal fashions and oriental hookahs to Polish sausages and Vietnamese specialties, culinary and other specialties from all over the world can be found here. Many small Arabic and Asian supermarkets also testify to the enormous cultural diversity in this well-known street in the east of Leipzig, and the regular flea market in Eisenbahnstraße is also very popular with visitors and locals alike.

The street in the east of Leipzig has a turbulent and eventful history. After reunification, many houses stood empty here. After these were refurbished and renovated in recent years, young students and families increasingly moved here and more and more cafés, stores, bars and restaurants opened in Eisenbahnstraße in Leipzig, the district flourished more and more. There are now rumors that the area could compete with the trendy district of Plagwitz. In general, the street has been completely renovated and social projects have sprung up.

This urban renewal is having an effect, as the east of Leipzig has seen a greater increase in population in recent years than any other district in the city. The district also has the use of funding from federal and state programs such as “Socially Integrative City” and EU funding for integrated urban development to thank for this. This development is far from complete – a fact that opens up attractive opportunities for investors. Due to the positive yield forecasts, buying an apartment in Leipzig’s Eisenbahnstrasse is a sensible investment.