Bochum: Tech companies move to O-WERK | CAMPUS
Bochum. The O-WERK | CAMPUS, a key pillar of neighborhood development at MARK 51°7, is filling up: Following Viactiv health insurance, two young tech companies are now moving into the new development by Landmarken AG.
The two university spin-offs VMRay and Physec will move into the first construction phase of the new campus.
Ideenschmiede (think tank) is the name of this first new building section of the O-WERK | CAMPUS, consisting of three buildings, developed by Landmarken on MARK 51;7, where the Opel plant in Bochum used to stand. While the first two buildings will be almost entirely occupied by Viactiv, VMRay and Physec, two cyber security specialists founded in Bochum, are renting large spaces in the third building. "The two young tech companies are the ideal target group for our campus," says Landmarken project developer Constanze Justus. "They represent the innovative spirit of the district that we are establishing there."
VMRay is renting a total of approximately 2,710 square meters of space, spread over three upper floors and including a roof terrace with a view of the neighborhood. The second former start-up from Ruhr University, Physec GmbH, is moving into approximately 930 square meters on the second floor of Ideenschmiede 3. "We are on a rapid growth course and were looking for a new location that could support our further expansion," explains Dr. Carsten Willems, CEO and co-founder of VMRay. "Mark 51°7 met all our requirements – not only do we benefit from the proximity to university institutes and the synergy effects within Bochum's strong cybersecurity community, we are also enthusiastic about the modern office space with its flexible design options. We have come to know Landmarken as a strong and reliable partner." Dr. Heiko Koepke is also convinced of the district's development: "Mark 51°7 is the ideal location for our technology-driven company," says the founder and managing director of Physec. "Bochum has established itself as an innovative location for cutting-edge research and produces the most start-ups in cyber security in Germany. We want to take the next steps in our development here and are convinced that we have identified the right environment for a successful future."
Anchor point of the technology-oriented science and start-up district
The foundation stone was laid in October 2020, and tenants are scheduled to move in at the end of 2022. The O-WERK is already almost complete. The former Opel administration building is the anchor point of the technology-oriented science and start-up quarter. Following the online retailer babymarkt.de, the Ruhr University Bochum has also already moved in"The transformation of MARK 51°7 has long been a matter close to our hearts, and it's great to see that it's working," says Landmarken CEO Jens Kreiterling. "This is where forward-looking working environments are being created in an innovation park where other innovative players can settle. We are delighted with the great interest in this location, which we are absolutely convinced of." O-WERK | CAMPUS will offer up to 80,000 square meters of modern work and research space. Around 14,000 of these have already been occupied in O-WERK, and of the 23,500 square meters currently under construction, approximately 17,400 have been leased.
A complementary mix of amenities, daycare facilities, and green spaces for relaxation creates a neighborhood atmosphere around a central square that will connect the historic buildings with the new ones. An energy concept has been developed for the entire site, which has good public transport connections and a high-performance fiber optic network, that uses geothermal energy from the old coal mines to generate heat. Landmarken is aiming for the recognized LEED Gold certificate for exceptional sustainability for its O-WERK | CAMPUS with smart building technology and a renewable energy concept.
In total, the three companies are creating around 1,000 jobs in the think tank. Together with those in the O-Werk, this already makes around 1,600 in the Landmarken projects at the former industrial site. Further construction phases of the O-WERK | CAMPUS have long been in the planning stage. The second phase on the northern side of the O-WERK envisages up to three building components, which are to be completed successively from the end of 2023. In a third construction phase, for which Landmarken AG has acquired an additional 16,000 m² of space, two further buildings could be constructed. Two parking garages are also part of the campus concept.
