Handover of EDGE East Side to PIMCO Prime Real Estate

Project developer Edge has successfully handed over EDGE East Side Berlin to PIMCO Prime Real Estate. The approximately 140 metre high office building with innovative and open architecture was erected on Warschauer Brücke. This makes it the tallest completed multi-storey building in the German capital for the time being and the first high-rise in Berlin to be designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in collaboration with Aukett & Heese. It has a total of 37 floors, covering a total area of approx. 80,500 m2, with a usable area of approx. 65,000 m2. Amazon will set up its Berlin headquarters in the building and employ more than 3,400 people.

State-of-the-art architecture meets sustainable innovations and user well-being

The innovative and open architecture of EDGE East Side combines contemporary urban demands with glass to create airy spaces that energise and invite people in. EDGE's commitment to user-centred and environmentally conscious design is confirmed by both the highest pre-certification from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) Platinum and the targeted WELL v2 Gold certification from the International WELL Building Institute.

During the four-year construction period, the Edge team coordinated over 250 companies and successfully overcame various challenges. At the beginning of the construction work, for example, it was crucial to limit the impact of the office tower's load - approximately 100,000 tonnes on completion - on the foundations of the Warsaw Bridge. To prevent the bridge from sinking and being damaged, Edge compacted the ground beneath the Warsaw Bridge foundations using invasive cement suspension and temporarily raised the bridge. During the construction of the 32nd and 33rd floors, low-carbon concrete was used for the first time in Germany, which is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% compared to the use of conventional concrete. This successful implementation can raise the decarbonisation of the construction industry to a level previously thought impossible if applied on a large scale.

Edge CEO: Successful handover of Berlin's new landmark

Coen van Oostrom, founder and CEO of Edge, said: "We received planning permission just four years ago and today, as agreed, we can hand over this uniquely designed building in Berlin. The fact that this has been possible despite the market upheavals of recent years and numerous technical challenges is thanks to the excellent cooperation between planning, execution, tenants and owners. I would like to thank everyone involved for mastering this extremely challenging project. Through innovative architecture that communicates with the traditional architecture of the surrounding area, we have created a new landmark in and for Berlin that we can be proud of."

In 2019, PIMCO Prime Real Estate agreed a forward deal with Edge to acquire the building through a joint venture between several Allianz Group companies and Universal-Investment, acting on behalf of several German pension funds, each represented by Bayerische Versorgungskammer (BVK).

Annette Kröger, CEO Europe, PIMCO Prime Real Estate, commented: "We are delighted to acquire EDGE East Side Berlin on behalf of our clients. This latest addition to our global office portfolio is an example of our ability to identify and develop smart, sustainable and market-leading properties with trusted partners that attract first-class tenants and create value for our investors. We are convinced that the demand for such first-class workplaces will continue."

Norman Fackelmann, Head of Real Estate at Bayerische Versorgungskammer, said: "The EDGE East Side Berlin project was a complete success thanks to the excellent cooperation of all joint venture partners. We are delighted that this striking office tower in Berlin was completed on schedule. The full occupancy of EDGE East Side Berlin shows that tenants are still looking for sustainable, flexible office space. We are proud to have such a sustainable property in our portfolio."

Edge would like to thank all partners who have contributed to this extensive project, in particular PIMCO Prime Real Estate, Amazon, Bjarke Ingels Group, Züblin, Aukett + Heese, ZWP ingenieur-ag, Werner Sobek, schlaich bergermann partner, Wenzel+Wenzel, Teuber+Viel GmbH, GuD Geotechni und Dynamik Consult GmbH, hhpberlin Ingenieure für Brandschutz GmbH, Jappsen Ingenieure GmbH, zech ruth blasius, WISAG, STRABAG Property and Facility Services Unternehmensgruppe (STRABAG PFS), grbv Ingenieure im Bauwesen GmbH & Co. KG and many other participating companies.


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(Source: STÖBE. Die Agentur für Kommunikation GmbH, 01|23|2024 | "Edge hands over Berlin's newest landmark EDGE East Side to PIMCO Prime Real Estate")