“Why Otisstraße?” someone once asked. The answer lies beneath our feet and above our heads. Otisstraße, a street in Berlin-Tegel and Reinickendorf, is more than just asphalt and buildings. It’s a story of transformation, a tale of renaming, and a celebration of local industry.
This street shares its name with the U-Bahn station. The station we know as Otisstraße was not always called that. Originally, it was named Seidelstraße. However, its entrance was actually closer to Otisstraße. This anomaly was corrected in 2004.
The renaming honored the 150th anniversary of the local Otis Elevator Company. It was a fitting tribute to a company with deep roots in the area. The U6 line station we see today was constructed in 1958. The architect B. Grimmek designed it.
Initially, the station’s name included “Flugplatz Tegel”. This referred to Tegel Aerodrome. In 1961, it was changed to “Flughafen Tegel” to reflect the airport’s official name. However, this addition was removed in 1974.
Borsigwerke, Holzhauser Straße, Otisstraße, and Scharnweberstraße are stops on the U6 line. They were part of the 1958 extension. Due to the high water table, the track was raised. Passengers could view urban scenery from the train.
Before 1992, the U-Bahn station that serves Otisstraße caused confusion. The nearby S-Bahn station was also named Tegel. To avoid mix-ups, the U-Bahn station was renamed Alt-Tegel. This change helped people distinguish between the two stations.
The U6 line has a rich history. In the past, it was the C-line. During the Cold War, trains on this line passed through ghost stations. These stations were in East Berlin. The trains did not stop there. Armed border guards patrolled the platforms.
Today, Otisstraße and its U-Bahn station stand as testaments to Berlin’s ever-evolving story. They remind us of the city’s industrial heritage. They also highlight the importance of honoring local businesses and correcting historical anomalies. As you continue your journey, remember that even the names of streets and stations can tell fascinating tales. They are a reflection of the past, present, and future of this dynamic city.