Following extensive renovations, the modernized Konnex commercial building will be unveiled to the business world and the public at a pre-opening on Thursday, 26 September 2024. According to a press release, the complex includes offices, furnished apartments, conference rooms and a wide range of restaurants. The event is intended to herald a new era for modern working. Dr. Stephan Sigrist, founder of the think tank W.I.R.E., has been announced as a speaker. He will talk about the future of the world of work in an era characterized by artificial intelligence.
In addition to office and work space, 42,000 square meters of space will be available for services and offerings such as restaurants, stores for everyday needs, fitness, childcare and coworking. The energy concept meets high environmental standards. Photovoltaic systems and the CO2-neutral energy supply from Regionalwerk Baden support the climate targets.
The first tenants have moved into the premises: online retailer Apfelkiste, IT service provider Aveniq, mechanical engineering group Liebherr, energy management expert Schneider Electric, coworking provider Office Lab and co-living serviced apartment provider Citi Pop. An industry mix that underlines “the attractiveness of the flexible space and modern facilities”. Other companies will further enrich the Konnex environment, it is said.
On behalf of the co-ownership, SPGI Zurich has rented additional space in the Baden connection . The Zurich company Office LAB will move into a total area of over 2800 square meters from January 2024, according to a press release . Then the provider of coworking offices will also take over the entire conference and event management for the Konnex building complex in the center of Baden.
Office LAB has been using 800 square meters in connection with sub-letting since August of this year. The Zurich company offers office solutions for individuals and companies. These receive access to the coworking spaces in the form of day passes or fixed team offices. So far, Office LAB operates six locations. With the new location, the company is strengthening its already established presence in Baden.
The Konnex building complex at Brown Boveri Strasse 7 is currently being completely renovated. A “city within a city” offer will be available there by mid-2023. A total of around 35,000 square meters of space will be rented for this purpose.
The Konnex building at Brown-Boveri-Strasse 7 in Baden caused a sensation after its completion in 1995: the owners let the former showpiece of energy-saving construction cost around 150 million francs. Theo Hotz, who has since died, was responsible for the building, which at the time had 2,100 jobs.
In 2015, the US company General Electric took over the energy division of Alstom Power and thus also the employees in Konnex. But at the beginning of 2020, the company announced its large-scale withdrawal from Switzerland. After the last employees moved out, the 42,500 square meter building has been vacant since March 31, 2021.
But this is about to change: Under the patronage of Brandenberger + Ruosch AG (B + R), a new use as a multi-tenant building was developed on behalf of the owners. B + R is responsible for the project initiation through to marketing and commissioning vis-à-vis the owners. Theo Hotz Partner AG was again engaged as general planner.
Although the building was designed for flexible use when it was built, some adjustments are required: “We are planning rental space from 550 square meters. These must be made individually accessible. In future, it should be possible to bill the ancillary costs individually for each area, ”explains Thomas Andermatt from B + R. From July 1st, the first tenants can move in for temporary use. For future long-term tenants, July 1, 2022 is the key date. Upon request, the project organization offers the planning and implementation of the individual tenant fit-out.
A bird's eye view of the Konnex building.
More attractive and livelier thanks to mix-use Externally, too, the Konnex needs to be refreshed: “The building envelope is being renovated and the surrounding area is being redesigned. We replace the flat roofs and equip them with photovoltaic systems. In addition, the sun protection must be improved, ”says Andermatt. The building is already connected to the district heating of the city of Baden; now district cooling is added. Andermatt: "This is how we can further increase energy efficiency."
In a direct comparison to the development status of the ABB site in Zurich-Oerlikon, the site in Baden is currently lagging significantly, adds Andermatt. And: “In Oerlikon we have an attractive area with a strong combination of different types of living, work, schools, as well as catering and leisure options. The area in Baden is attractive – but today it lacks life outside of working hours, ”he is convinced. Konnex wants to make its contribution to a more attractive area design: "On the ground floor we are planning various catering units and service facilities such as a day-care center, shopping facilities and an outpatient clinic," Andermatt reveals.
The project development takes place in close consultation with the city of Baden. In the future, the ABB site is to include a mix of commercial living, working and service offerings. The Konnex will keep the main focus in the area of office use, but make it as attractive as possible. "We are planning various green zones inside and outside the building." The first lease negotiations are already underway. For Andermatt it is clear: "The new Konnex and the entire ABB site in Baden will in future be at least as attractive as the one in Zurich-Oerlikon."
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