Ottensen starts on the western side of the Altona train station. In former times, Ottensen was an old farmer and handcrafter town. At the middle of the last century it developed to an important industrial location of North Germany. The traffic-favorable position promoted the development of Ottensen to the industrial town part. Besides the country houses and villas next to the Elbe originated thus a typical factory quarter and working- class area. Today many former factory buildings are used as lofts and freehold flats, also as office surfaces. The district radiates a cosy and friendly atmosphere, and the proximity of the Elbe is captivating. Almost every corner has a restaurant to offer, on the streets there is hustle and bustle come rain or shine. Situatied in the heart of Ottensens, the Ottenser Hauptstraße is especially animated. In summer you can sit on one of the terraces of the cafes or restaurants. With the construction of the shopping-centre Mercado and the utilisation of the old ship's propeller factory Zeisehallen as cultural institution, the district changed from an industrial site into a multicultural, trendy quarter, without losing its charm. Ottensen offers multifaceted motives - renovated old buildings border on new ones and give the district historical meaning, courtyards exhibit artful balkonies and playgrounds, and the traffic is calmed down in several streets.