This transformation of the space is unique: where sofas, beds, and living room furnishings were once displayed across a vast area, new, attractive office and collaboration spaces are now being created for a modern health insurance company.
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The furniture store Trösser had occupied the bottom two floors of the three-story retail building next to our AlphaSpace Aachen. Its move out in August 2025—which was initially regrettable—turned out to be a great opportunity: the former retail building is being transformed into an attractive, vibrant mixed-use property that perfectly complements the Nord district.
Here's what's planned
While McFIT has extended its long-term lease on the upper floors and will be carrying out extensive renovations on the gym starting this summer, remodeling work has been underway on the ground floor and first floor since the start of the year. Two modern retail spaces are being created downstairs: Louis Motorcycle Apparel and Equipment is confirmed to move into the larger space. A prospective tenant for the smaller space has also already been found. To accommodate the move-in of the health insurance provider BIG direkt gesund in mid-2027, optimal working conditions are being created on the first floor, also covering approximately 2,000 square meters.
“With the move to Quartier Nord, we are consciously investing in BIG’s future. The location offers ideal conditions for BIG to continue growing as a modern employer,” says Markus Bäumer, Deputy Chairman of the Board at BIG direkt gesund. In addition to the excellent location in Aachen, sustainability factors were also decisive. The new spaces will be modernized to the standards of a new building and will enable significant CO² savings compared to the previous location in Aachen-Rothe Erde
How the new offices are being built
But how do you turn a furniture store into cool offices? The completely closed facade on the first floor is being opened up to the outside with the installation of large windows, allowing plenty of natural light to flood into the rooms in the future. “Inside, we’re creating beautiful room-within-a-room solutions with lots of glass,” says Landmarken project manager Daniel Gilles. In the central zone, meeting rooms, so-called “think tanks” for focused work, kitchen and communal areas, as well as a customer center are being created. The employees’ offices are arranged around this core. The entire space is fully air-conditioned.
“The conversion of the former furniture store into a modern office and customer center demonstrates the immense potential of the intelligent transformation of existing properties,” says Jan Oelze, managing partner of pro m², whose firm was responsible for the design.
The signed lease agreement has a term of ten years. This sends a strong signal about the location and the successful transformation of the neighborhood.
3 Questions for - Jan Hilgier, Head of Leasing in Aachen
Jan, converting a retail space into an office environment is anything but standard practice in the industry. How did that come about?
After the furniture store moved out, we were faced with the challenge of finding a suitable new use for this 4,000-square-meter space. It’s in a great location, but it also has large open areas and little natural light.
That's where the architects at pro m² came in?
Yes, we had previously worked closely with Jan Oelze and his team. His client, BIG direkt gesund, was looking for a new location that combined sustainability, attractive working conditions, and cost-effectiveness. pro m² ultimately demonstrated the project’s economic, planning, and technical feasibility.
And the result?
We are creating a space for BIG that meets all requirements. The renovation is not only more cost-effective than new construction, but also more sustainable thanks to significantly improved energy efficiency in the existing building. With the fitness center upstairs and retail space on the ground floor, we will ultimately have a forward-thinking, mixed-use property that will remain functional for years to come.
