VGP, Opel and Stellantis Germany celebrated the topping-out ceremony for the “grEEn-campus” at VGP Park Rüsselsheim. This project encompasses the new global Opel headquarters as well as the new headquarters of Stellantis Germany. VGP, as a European owner, operator and developer of logistics and light industrial properties, is realising this development on a former Opel site along Mainzer Straße. With the topping-out ceremony, the shell construction of the central buildings is largely complete, and the project continues to progress according to schedule.
Attendees included Jan Van Geet, CEO of the VGP Group, Florian Huettl, CEO of Opel/Vauxhall and Managing Director Stellantis Germany, and Patrick Burghardt, Lord Mayor of the City of Rüsselsheim am Main. Following the successful completion of the shell construction, the interior fit-out will now begin in sections, starting with the eastern part of the building. The full completion of construction work is planned for the third quarter of 2027.
Scope and Use of the “grEEn-campus”
The “grEEn-campus” is being developed by VGP on a plot of land measuring approximately 114,000 square metres. The overall concept includes an administration building of about 23,000 square metres, a research and development building including a design centre of approximately 36,000 square metres, and a multi-storey car park of about 55,000 square metres. The new global Opel headquarters and the headquarters of Stellantis Germany will be located in the administration building, where modern workspaces for flexible working and team collaboration will be created. In the research and development building and the design centre, prototypes and the latest vehicle designs will be developed in the future.
Sustainable Building Concept and Energy Supply
At least a DGNB Gold certification, which distinguishes particularly sustainable buildings, is being sought for the entire campus. VGP is already employing resource-efficient methods during the construction phase. By using the Unidome void former system, approximately 735 cubic metres of concrete were saved. This led to a reduction in CO₂ emissions of about 155 tonnes, a decrease in the building's weight of around 1,850 tonnes, and the avoidance of over 100 concrete transports. Additionally, sustainable building materials are being used, which contribute to a comfortable indoor climate.
The campus's energy supply is based on a photovoltaic system integrated into a green roof. The green roof promotes biodiversity, improves the microclimate and supports the cooling of the buildings. The energy concept is complemented by a shallow geothermal system beneath the future multi-storey car park, which is one of the largest systems in Germany. This system absorbs heat from the ground and stores it to heat and cool the buildings year-round in conjunction with highly efficient heat pumps.
Jan Van Geet, CEO of the VGP Group, stated that with the “grEEn-campus”, a traditional industrial site is being sustainably developed and put to future-proof use. The topping-out ceremony marks an important milestone in creating space for research, innovation and modern working environments together with Opel, Stellantis Germany and the city of Rüsselsheim. Florian Huettl, CEO Opel/Vauxhall and Managing Director Stellantis Germany, explained that the “grEEn-campus” creates a modern and sustainable working environment that puts employees' needs at its core and offers space for collaboration, creativity and innovation. This investment is a strong signal for the future of the site and an important building block of the Germany Future Plan, which strengthens Rüsselsheim as a development and innovation centre.
Lord Mayor Patrick Burghardt emphasised that with the “grEEn-campus”, the transformation of the Opel site is becoming visible step by step. Such investments are an important signal for the Rüsselsheim site in a time of profound changes in the automotive industry. The campus is a strong commitment to the sustainable development of the city and demonstrates its potential for innovation, high-quality jobs and economic strength. City Councillor Simon Valerius also welcomed the development, as the “grEEn-campus” provides a crucial impetus for urban development and sets standards for an energetically and architecturally contemporary commercial development, while contributing to the qualitative enhancement of Rüsselsheim's western city entrance.
VGP acquired the approximately 700,000 square metre site on Mainzer Straße and Federal Highway 43 in autumn 2023. The three plots represent the company's largest brownfield project to date. In addition to the “grEEn-campus” for Opel and Stellantis Germany, VGP is developing further areas in VGP Park Rüsselsheim for industrial companies as well as small and medium-sized enterprises with high added value. The development of the site is taking place in close coordination with the city of Rüsselsheim and the relevant authorities. Exclusive negotiations are underway with potential users for several other areas.
