Moringa Hamburg HafenCity: The landmark building for people and the environment celebrates its topping-out ceremony

As the first residential building to consistently apply the cradle-to-cradle principle, Moringa focuses not only on high ecological standards, but also on social sustainability. "Moringa impressively demonstrates how ecological construction, social responsibility, and forward-looking urban development can go hand in hand," said Karen Pein, Hamburg Senator for Housing and Urban Development, adding: "This project is not only creating urgently needed living space, but also setting an example for resource-efficient and healthy living – for Hamburg and beyond." With co-living and co-working facilities, spacious communal areas, a daycare center, and a restaurant, new living spaces are opening up for different target groups, the senator continued. "Future residents will benefit from the diverse mix of uses, a lively community, green retreats, and social infrastructure right on their doorstep."

Jens Kreiterling, CEO of Landmarken AG, called for more courage in the face of major challenges in order to master the highest ecological and social challenges: "Let's be brave! Ambitious urban building blocks such as our Moringa are pioneers in reconciling social goals such as affordable housing and ecological sustainability."

As the general contractor, Adolf Lupp GmbH & Co. KG is active on the construction site, which is located at Baakenhafen directly on the waterfront. And the work is right on schedule. "This building is not only symbolic of a milestone in the construction process—it is also a promise for the future that we will fulfill together," says Lupp Managing Director Michael Fuchs.

"Moringa is an outstanding example of innovative construction and future-oriented living. We are therefore all the more delighted that the project is progressing well," said Dr. Andreas Kleinau. "With Moringa, which is being built to the highly demanding platinum standard of the HafenCity environmental label, lively, socially diverse, and responsible neighborhoods are growing up around Baakenhafen. Various projects with resource-saving concepts, alternative construction methods, and intensive roof and facade greening are currently taking shape here. Moringa has always been a courageous and inspiring pioneer for this magnificent development," said the CEO of HafenCity Hamburg GmbH.

Around 80 percent of the construction and furnishing materials (KGR 300, DIN 276) can be dismantled, sorted by type, and reused. This intensive recyclability is unmatched to date. In addition, the ambitious project with around 24,000 m² Gross floor area, fulfills numerous socially relevant functions. All residential units are rental apartments, and more than a third of the living space is publicly subsidized. This exceeds the legally prescribed quota.

In addition, the ensemble designed by kadawittfeldarchitektur will offer communal areas, co-living, and co-working. Both will be operated by POHA House, Landmarken's sister company specializing in sustainable co-spaces. The restaurant area on the wharf level also represents a useful addition to the building's functions. The bilingual Villa Luna daycare center, which provides important childcare services in HafenCity with 80 places in three nursery and two elementary groups, will even include the topic of circular economy in its educational program.

The green façade will be a striking feature of HafenCity. Including the roof and inner courtyard, a total of 100 percent of the built-up area will be greened. This counteracts the effects of soil sealing, purifies the air, and cools the building in summer. This is an important contribution to health promotion – as are the sports facilities, the pollutant-free materials, and the certified allergy-friendly design. District heating from waste heat is used for sustainable energy supply, and electricity is generated by photovoltaics. Permanent energy monitoring will optimize low-emission and energy-efficient operation.

"It's simply incredible to see how this project is now growing and setting new standards," said Landmarken CEO Anke Tsitouras. "Even after completion, we will continue to make sustainability tangible in the long term in order to inspire residents, neighbors, and other developers. A true beacon for environmentally responsible urban development!

Summary:

Germany's first residential high-rise to be built according to the cradle-to-cradle principle is right on schedule. The topping-out ceremony for "Moringa Hamburg HafenCity" was celebrated on Monday. With its unique combination of resource-efficient construction and affordable living, the building is considered a trendsetter for the construction and real estate industry. Completion is scheduled for 2026.

As a flagship project for people and the environment, Moringa focuses not only on high ecological standards, but also on social sustainability in particular. Around 80 percent of the construction and furnishing materials can be dismantled, sorted by type, and reused. With a gross floor area of around 24,000 m², the Landmarken project offers around 220 rental apartments, more than a third of which are publicly subsidized, as well as communal areas, a co-living concept, co-working, a daycare center, and restaurants.