Modern and sustainable: Vattenfall moves into its new German headquarters “EDGE Suedkreuz Berlin”

Vattenfall and the project developer EDGE are making modern and sustainable working environments a reality: The new Vattenfall Germany headquarters were ceremonially handed over on August 22, 2022 at Berlin’s Südkreuz, in the presence of Klara Geywitz, Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Building, among others. Around 3,500 m3 of certified timber were used in the modern timber hybrid construction, which reduces the CO2 emissions of the components made with it by up to approx. 80 percent compared to conventional components made of reinforced concrete. By mid-September, around 1,600 Vattenfall employees will move into their offices in the new Germany headquarters. For the first time, employees from originally five Berlin locations will be united. The owner of the pioneering office ensemble EDGE Suedkreuz Berlin is the Düsseldorf-based private equity investor COLCAP.

Ms. Anna Borg, President and CEO of Vattenfall, and Coen van Oostrom, founder and CEO of the project developer EDGE, welcomed Federal Minister Klara Geywitz, Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building, Andreas Geisel, Senator for Urban Development, Building and Housing Berlin and State Secretary Michael Biel of the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises.

Andreas Geisel, Senator for Urban Development, Building and Housing, Berlin, said: “For several years now, a new, very productive and innovative city district with a mixture of commercial, residential and mobility areas has been growing around the Südkreuz train station. A location where new ideas are born and implemented. With EDGE Suedkreuz, a building ensemble that sets standards is about to be used. A piece of the future has once again been built in Berlin. I wish every success to all those who will be working and staying in this building.”

State Secretary Michael Biel, Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises: “Berlin is one of the most dynamic economic regions at the heart of Europe.  Our economy is growing while our energy consumption has been falling for years. Berlin is the front-runner in energy productivity in a nationwide comparison. The transformation of the economy and the energy transition play an important role, which we are consistently advancing together. An example of how specific implementation can succeed is shown by Vattenfall. The company is Berlin’s most important energy service provider and one of the leading electricity producers in Europe. The new Germany headquarters shows how climate protection and work organization are breaking new ground together.” By moving into a joint headquarters, Vattenfall is reducing the office space it previously used, optimizing its own energy consumption and conserving resources. EDGE Suedkreuz is operated in an energy balance-optimized manner and has modern digital equipment and an e-mobility charging infrastructure for fleet vehicles and e-bikes. Vattenfall Energy Solutions GmbH takes over the heating and cooling supply, among other things by means of a combined heat and power plant – also for the smaller neighboring building. By using biomethane, it retains a CO2 neutral footprint.

Anna Borg, President and CEO of Vattenfall says: “We at Vattenfall have set ourselves the goal of being able to live without fossil fuels within one generation. This includes not only decarbonizing our own operations, but also leading by example by focusing on everything and everyone along the value chain. Our suppliers, customers and partners. This sustainable wood hybrid building is a prime example! In this building we find and experience what we need for our continued path to a fossil-free future: New perspectives, being curious and open, different ways of thinking and an atmosphere of collaboration. All this is also reflected in the impressive architecture.”

Christian Barthélémy, Senior Vice President, Head of Human Resources at Vattenfall, states: “It’s a first: For the first time in the more than 130-year history of Vattenfall, we are moving together with all our colleagues from the central functions at one location in Berlin. It will be a space for ideas and a meeting place for the energy and heat transition in Berlin and Germany in inspiring surroundings. In the immediate vicinity of like-minded people who, like us, are working on a sustainable future here at Berlin’s Südkreuz.” With the move, Vattenfall is also starting a new work culture. The activity-based work areas meet the highest ergonomic standards. All employees can look for a suitable work area depending on their activity: For example, a focus workplace for concentrated work, various meeting rooms, solo or duo boxes for telephone calls or video conferences. But also various possibilities for informal communication. Working in the atrium, on the roof terraces or in the Skylounge is also possible without any problems.

Coen van Oostrom, founder and CEO of EDGE, summarizes the special feature of the project: “Progress, combined with the goals of climate protection and comprehensive sustainability, is an essential part of the DNA of EDGE. It is therefore no coincidence that we decided a few years ago in the EDGE Suedkreuz project to take a certain risk with a wood hybrid construction, a technology that was hardly known at the time. We wanted to show what is already possible today. We are very happy to be able to prove that now with EDGE Suedkreuz. Therefore, on behalf of the entire EDGE team, I would like to thank all partners for the successful implementation. I wish Vattenfall and its employees a lot of fun and exciting discoveries when they move in, and that they see new opportunities in the changes. I am convinced that if we approach the current challenges with a positive attitude, we will also be able to master them.”

Your Press Contact:
Dr. Christian Jekat | Press Officer
Phone: +49 (0)151 57255347
Email: christian.jekat(at)vattenfall.de

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