AlphaSpace Groundbreaking: Landmarken Builds First “Spirit Office” in Aachen
The foundation stone for the keystone has been laid: Amid perfect winter weather—with spring already tentatively peeking around the corner —the teams from project developer Landmarken and general contractor Goldbeck, together with representatives from the two tenants, celebrated the groundbreaking for AlphaSpace Aachen, the third Landmarken building to be constructed according to the Spirit Office concept, and at the same time the completion of the development of the Quartier Nord neighborhood, which has taken shape between Krefelder Straße and Gut-Dämme-Straße. Now things are moving quickly: within just five months, the six floors of the 10,000 m² modular building will be erected, with occupancy scheduled for mid-2025.
A smart office for smart users in the technology hub of Aachen—that’s the vision of the two companies that will now occupy two-thirds of the available space: In addition to Utimaco, an expert in cybersecurity solutions, Cognex is also moving into AlphaSpace. The global developer and manufacturer of machine vision products has, so to speak, grown alongside Landmarken and is expanding its presence at the location: In the neighboring Pick-up building—also a Landmarken development—Cognex already occupies about three-quarters of the approximately 5,000 square meters of space there. The current lease for AlphaSpace is already the fifth the company has signed with Landmarken.
The new building, designed by the Aachen-based firm pbs architekten, embodies the Spirit Office concept developed in collaboration with New York architect Matthias Hollwich. Its four pillars are community, sustainability, health, and intelligence. Across all buildings—the first Spirit Office, the kiteLoft, has already been completed in Cologne, and another, the BrainFactory, is currently under construction in Bochum—the concept stands for a digital space that thinks for itself, promotes health through opportunities for movement and the use of healthy materials, and strengthens a sense of community through inspiring shared spaces. Respect for nature is expressed through sustainable construction methods and smart, climate-friendly energy management.
At AlphaSpace, two striking lobbies define the two main entrances on the north and south sides of the building. Two rooftop terraces, loggias on every floor, and the inner courtyard—fully landscaped with regional plants—invite residents to engage in casual conversation. “With generous ceiling heights, natural materials, and a high-quality, contemporary design, AlphaSpace offers work environments that enhance both well-being and productivity,” says Landmarken project manager Jan Hilgier. “As a ‘Spirit Office,’ it embodies all the qualities an office should have for the new generation of employees. It is particularly important to us that not only the companies as tenants benefit, but especially their employees who use the building.”
Equipped with sustainable building automation, the new building draws its power from a large, highly efficient photovoltaic system. What makes this system unique is that it is not only installed on the green roof of AlphaSpace but also extends to the roof of the neighboring Trösser building. Parking spaces with electric charging stations, a bicycle parking garage with 100 spaces and a green roof, as well as an accessible wayfinding system leading to the entrances, are part of the mobility concept and round out the sustainability commitment. The completion of AlphaSpace Aachen marks the conclusion of the development of the Quartier Nord neighborhood. “A successful neighborhood development means more than just buildings—it creates a home for community and cohesion. With AlphaSpace, we are making another valuable contribution to the neighborhood,” says Nils Perpeet, Head of Project Development for Office & Special-Purpose Properties. With its mix of commercial uses and dining options, AlphaSpace Aachen serves as a gateway to the city of Aachen.
