die developer Projektentwicklung GmbH announces a significant letting success for the “NEW HEART on the block” project at Kennedydamm in Düsseldorf: Uniper will occupy the future, approximately 120-metre-high office tower within the district as an anchor tenant. From 2030, the building is planned to house Uniper’s new Düsseldorf corporate headquarters. This will enable the consolidation of approximately 2,900 employees, currently distributed across two locations in Medienhafen, in one central place.
The agreement includes the long-term lease of approximately 36,500 square metres of office space, spread over 31 floors. Around 1,800 workplaces are planned there. The lease agreement was initially concluded for a period of 15 years. This letting, which takes place even before the planned start of construction, secures one of Düsseldorf’s largest employers as the main tenant for the project.
Stefan H. Mühling, Managing Director and founder of die developer, commented on the significance of this transaction for the Düsseldorf office market and emphasised the quality of Kennedydamm as a business location. He also highlighted Uniper’s confidence in the project development. Lord Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller commented that “NEW HEART on the block” will create a new landmark at one of the city’s important gateways, combining work, living, and public amenities, thus pursuing a holistic planning approach. Uniper’s decision is a strong signal and a clear commitment to Düsseldorf as a business location.
The development of “NEW HEART on the block” began in 2022 and is the result of an architectural competition conducted jointly with the state capital Düsseldorf, which included a multi-stage public participation process. The design was further developed in collaboration with architectural firms UNS and HPP Architekten. The existing building on Hans-Böckler-Straße is currently being deconstructed, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2027.
The district is designed to combine office space with residential use and publicly accessible amenities. In addition to the central office high-rise, a residential tower and a pavilion with communal areas, gastronomy, and local retail will be built. A green district square is intended to complement the ensemble and create a connection to the surrounding neighbourhood. The project aims for LEED Platinum certification, with photovoltaic systems in the facade and large-scale retention areas being part of the sustainability concept.
For Uniper, the new development offers the opportunity to integrate specific technical, digital, and security-relevant requirements of the energy company into the building design from the outset. As an operator of critical energy infrastructure, Uniper consolidates central operational functions at its Düsseldorf location. Furthermore, a flexible working environment will be created that supports hybrid work as well as various forms of collaboration and concentrated work.
A comprehensive strategy and selection process, accompanied by Cushman & Wakefield and pro m², led to the decision for “NEW HEART on the block”. Hogan Lovells Cadwalader advised Uniper legally, while McDermott Will & Schulte supported die developer on legal matters. Stefan H. Mühling emphasised that Uniper’s tenancy demonstrates the persuasive power of high-quality office developments, consistently tailored to corporate requirements, even in a demanding market environment. The realisation of the project in a challenging market environment is based on the long-standing partnership with ZECH Real Estate AG.
