Groundbreaking for the New HGK Headquarters in Cologne-Niehl Port

This marks both a departure into a new future and a return to the roots of the company: The Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK) is building its new corporate headquarters at the entrance to the Niehler Hafen. In the modern, energy-efficient building, essential areas of the HGK holding as well as companies of the HGK group based in Cologne will find their new home.

(Köln) Last Wednesday, the symbolic groundbreaking for the “Westkai Project,” the new corporate headquarters of the Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK), took place at Niehler Hafen 2.

“I am very happy that the transformation of HGK into a sustainable logistics service group will soon be reflected in a suitable, dedicated address,” said HGK CEO Uwe Wedig on the occasion of the event. The chairwoman of the HGK supervisory board, Susanna dos Santos Herrmann, added: “I am pleased that here, not only for the HGK group, a modern, sustainable solution for its future development is being created, but also architecturally a valuable contribution to one of the important access routes into the city.”

The new HGK headquarters will represent a prominent building in the north of Cologne. It borders the traffic junction of Amsterdamer Straße, Boltensternstraße, and Industriestraße in the Niehl district. Thanks to its location directly at the port and its architectural shape, which resembles a railway switch when viewed from above, there will also be structural references to the two environmentally friendly modes of transport, inland shipping and freight rail, which play a central role in the business model of the HGK group.

Groundbreaking for the “Westkai Project” (from left to right): Dieter Laskowski, Managing Director of the general contractor DERICHSuKONERTZ Baugesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Uwe Wedig, CEO of Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK), Susana dos Santos Herrmann, Chairwoman of the HGK Supervisory Board, Wolfgang Birlin, Board Member of HGK, and Vera Witteck, ASTOC ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS (© HGK/Rieger)

Funding Loan from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW)

On the 3,000 square meter property owned by HGK, space for around 270 workplaces is being created. The total gross floor area amounts to 8,500 square meters. The total costs are estimated at 22.3 million euros. The financing of the project is supported by federal funding for efficient buildings with a funding loan from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW).

The planning focused on energy-efficient and forward-looking construction methods. The building, designed according to KfW standard “Efficiency Building 55,” will consume 45 percent less energy than required by current building regulations. This is also supported by a photovoltaic system planned for the roof with a peak output of 99 kWp, which will primarily be used for its own needs.

Diverse Measures for Sustainability

In the preparations for the construction, a significant portion of the tree population on the property could be integrated into the plans, and compensatory measures were taken. Additionally, the roof will be greened. The parking spaces will be constructed as permeable grass areas. Nesting boxes and breeding niches will also be integrated into the distinctive brick facade. “We are building a modern structure that visually impresses and functionally meets today’s requirements regarding energy efficiency and environmental protection. Thanks to today’s groundbreaking, completion by summer 2023 is possible,” said HGK board member Wolfgang Birlin.

Title photo: © HGK / ASTOC