A real magnet for modern business and science: O-WERK | Campus is the hottest spot for transformation in the Ruhr region. The core idea behind the development of our innovation campus at MARK 51°7, the former Opel factory site, has always been the concept of a neighborhood. And now, more than ever, this idea is being brought to life—with Bochum's first urban village.
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This landmark development also showcases the full strength of the corporate family. On the barrier-free ground floor of Ideenschmiede 3, diagonally opposite O-WERK— the former Opel administration building with the start-up center of the Ruhr University Bochum, co-working spaces, networking platforms, and FabLabs was the first building block of the campus development— the Urban Village offers meeting rooms,
Co-working spaces, and smaller, flexible office spaces for rent.
The heart of the development is the service point for all current and future tenants on campus. In the cool, high-quality 650 m² space, a community manager focuses on the well-being of the people who work there, bringing the neighborhood together. As the contact person for all users, she organizes events, activities, and sports programs. Whether it's cleaning services, car washes, IT consulting, or financial advice—all bookable via app—or yoga, EMS training, and beer tasting: nothing should be lacking in the innovation quarter.
The newest member of the family – in Bochum as well as in all Urban Villages: Willy, the food vending machine. The smart snack machine not only offers a colorful selection of treats and healthy bowls for lunch, but also the option to use a QR code to get in touch and submit your own snack requests for the future. This creates an offering that is perfectly tailored to users
Progress at O-WERK | Campus
Meanwhile, the development of the O-WERK | Campus continues to progress. Following the smart three-part think tank with a total gross floor area of 23,500 m², a photovoltaic system, and two spectacular roof terraces, the next completion will be the BrainFactory, the first Spirit Office in the Ruhr area, in the summer (pages 30–31). The already completed parking garage 1, with its mobile and digital payment terminals, offers completely paperless and cashless parking as well as a simple, web-based management system for office tenants.
Around 1,700 workplaces have already been established in the O-WERK and the Ideenschmiede, with more than 400 additional spaces available in the Brain Factory. Ultimately, more people will work at the O-WERK | Campus of Landmarken alone, which is only part of MARK 51°7, than worked at the entire car factory at the time. Further planning is already underway – and it's going to be even smarter: at the end of the year, the building application for components 5 and 6 of the campus will be submitted.
The building application for components 5 and 6 of the campus will be submitted at the end of the year
In order to build sustainably, various systems are currently being examined, including plans for a wood-hybrid construction. The BrainLabs, consisting of two buildings, will be designed in such a way that a new, separate neighborhood square will be created in their center. In addition to offices and laboratories, the BrainLabs can also be used for complementary purposes that add to the diversity of the campus and make everyday life easier for the people in the neighborhood: Restaurants, a gym, small shops, medical practices, creative workshops, showrooms, service or workshop areas are all possible.
Depending on the leasing situation—intensive discussions are currently underway with interested companies—the first building could be completed as early as the first half of 2026, with the second following shortly thereafter.
A particularly nice feature: a campus garden with a barefoot path, climbing wall, yoga lawn, berry bushes, and insect hotel will be created in front of the O-WERK this year. A bicycle repair station and a fitness container complete the neighborhood management's offerings.
