Have you ever walked through a neighborhood named after a region far away? Welcome to the Westfälisches Viertel in Berlin. This charming residential area in Moabit is a hidden gem. Its name comes from the streets named after cities in North Rhine-Westphalia. Think Essen Dortmund and many more.
The Westfälisches Viertel has a fascinating history. Before it became a residential area it housed a significant ironworks belonging to the Borsig company. From 1849 to 1898 Borsig produced forges iron bars and boiler plate. They did this to become independent of British iron suppliers. The ironworks moved to Tegel in 1898. Borsig then concentrated on locomotive construction in Moabit. The factory even had its own railway connection.
The streets of the Westfälisches Viertel appeared later. The Neu-Bellevue-Actiengesellschaft developed the former Borsig factory grounds. They parceled out the land starting in 1902. The street names were decided upon in 1904. They honored cities in the then “Rhineland-Westphalian industrial area” around the Ruhr region. The Borsig villa and its park a design by Peter Joseph Lenné were only integrated into the development in 1911.
The Westfälisches Viertel was planned as an upscale residential area similar to the Hansaviertel. Building lots were sold to individual builders. By the start of World War I most of the area was built up with five-story apartment buildings except for the eastern part of Essener Strasse. The Westfälisches Viertel includes typical rental buildings and cooperative housing. Essener Park is the last remaining part of the Borsig factory grounds park.
Until April 1945 the Borsigsteg bridge connected Dortmunder Strasse in Moabit with Flensburger Strasse in the Hansaviertel. Today the Westfälisches Viertel is a quiet residential area. It is characterized by its peaceful atmosphere and numerous green spaces. It’s a place to escape the hustle and bustle of Berlin. It is well connected by public transport. The U-Bahn Turmstraße station is a major hub. The area offers a peaceful retreat for residents and visitors alike. It’s a place where history and modern living blend seamlessly. This makes the Westfälisches Viertel a truly special place in Berlin.