Berlin-Pankow's Historic Yard Transforms into Vibrant New Neighborhood
A historic transformation is underway in Berlin-Pankow. The former largest one-sided freight and marshalling yard in Germany, once serving as a delivery point for goods and food to the capital's population, is now set to become a vibrant new neighborhood. The plan includes up to 2,500 apartments, a primary school, two kindergartens, a shopping street, offices, and a city park.
The site, between Pankow and Heinersdorf stations, was once a bustling hub with a daily capacity of 3,800 wagons in 1917. After its closure in 1997 and the demolition of its old buildings, only the distinctive round and ring-shaped locomotive sheds remained. Now, entrepreneur Kurt Krieger, who bought the 250,000 square meter site in 2009, is pushing for the start of construction, with an estimated completion time of at least ten years.
The project has faced delays due to bureaucracy. In March 2025, the current Senator for Urban Development, Christian Gaebler (SPD), and Pankow district councilor Cornelius Bechtler (Alliance 90/The Greens) signed a joint development contract. The complete renovation of the round locomotive shed has been achieved, but its future purpose is still under discussion. During the DDR era, prefabricated panel elements for the building program were delivered from Pankow to the yard.
The project has sparked controversy, particularly regarding the population of the common toad on the site. Neighboring allotment colonies are being considered for resettlement to accommodate the project.
The transformation of the former railway goods yard in Berlin-Pankow is a significant urban development project. With up to 2,500 apartments and various amenities, it aims to create a new, vibrant neighborhood. The project's future, however, is closely tied to the resolution of environmental concerns and the final plans for the historic locomotive sheds.
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