Elstal, District of Wustermark, Germany.
Elstal is a residential district within the municipality of Wustermark, situated north of Potsdam and west of Berlin. The area houses the Designer Outlet Berlin within the DEMEX business park and contains various neighborhoods linked to its railway heritage.
The settlement developed between 1906 and 1909 following the construction of the Wustermark railway yard, which prompted housing developments for railway workers. A complex built for the 1936 Olympics later housed Soviet military forces until 1992.
The neighborhood maintains a visible connection to its railway roots through preserved structures, including a water tower that has become an informal symbol of the area. These remnants shape how residents and visitors experience the place today.
The area is most easily reached by car or public transport, with regular connections between Potsdam and Berlin. The outlet mall and surrounding residential neighborhoods are relatively flat and simple to explore on foot.
The site was home to the 1936 Olympic Village, originally built as a training facility for competing athletes. This sporting heritage often goes unnoticed by visitors despite its significance in shaping the area.
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