Named after Friedrich von Motz [de], a Prussian Finance Minister, the first, northerly section was laid out around 1870.

[4] That section, to the north of Nollendorfplatz has been renamed twice, in 1934 to Mackensenstraße, at which time the street numbering was changed and again in 1996 to Else Lasker-Schüler Straße.

[5][4] British-American author Christopher Isherwood lived around the corner from Motzstraße on Nollendorfstraße, where he was inspired by the area's diversity to write several of his best-selling novels.

The section of Motzstraße around Viktoria-Luise-Platz, restored after wartime damage, is an upscale neighbourhood filled with Wilhelmine architecture.

Many notable personalities and famous figures have made their homes in the area, such as Rudolf Steiner and Else Lasker-Schüler.