NEW OPEL GLOBAL HQ GREEN-CAMPUS HITS MILESTONE
A new global Opel headquarters green-campus in Russelsheim, Germany, has reached a significant milestone. With structural work on the central parts of the buildings now largely completed and interior fit outs beginning shortly, the significant project remains on schedule, and work is due to be completed in 2027. A topping-out ceremony was held at the Russelsheim site, the historical home to Opel, headquarters also to Stellantis Germany.
Opel, Stellantis Germany and VGP are jointly developing the green-campus on a plot area of 114,000sq m. It comprises a 23,000sq m administration building, a research and development building with a new design centre on circa 36,000sq m and a 55,000sq m car park. All future Opel models will be designed and engineered at the brand’s new design centre.
“With today’s topping-out ceremony, we are celebrating the fact that our green-campus is continuing to take shape. Here, we are creating a modern and sustainable working environment that focuses on the needs of our employees and offers space for collaboration, creativity and innovation,” said Florian Huettl, CEO of Opel & Vauxhall and Managing Director of Stellantis Germany. “This investment sends a strong signal about the future of our site. With the green-campus, we are implementing a key element of our ‘Future Plan Germany’ and strengthening Rüsselsheim as a modern centre for development and innovation.”
“With the green-campus, we are sustainably developing a historic industrial site and transforming it into a new, future-proof use,” said Jan Van Geet, CEO of the VGP Group. “Together with Opel, Stellantis Germany and the city of Rüsselsheim, we are creating space for research, innovation and modern working environments.”
Patrick Burghardt, Lord Mayor of Rüsselsheim am Main, said: “With the grEEn-campus, the transformation of the historic Opel site is becoming visible step by step. At a time of far-reaching changes in the automotive industry, such investments send an important signal for Rüsselsheim as a business location. The green-campus represents a strong commitment to the city’s sustainable development and demonstrates its potential for innovation, high-quality jobs and economic strength.”
DGNB certification in gold, which is awarded to particularly sustainable buildings, is sought for the entire campus. VGP, Opel and Stellantis place a special focus on reducing CO2 emissions in design and on sustainable building materials ensuring a pleasant interior atmosphere. The power supply of the campus is provided by a photovoltaic system, which is integrated into a green roof. This contributes to biodiversity, ensures a pleasant microclimate and supports the cooling of the buildings. The energy concept is complemented by a geothermal system. It is located underneath the future car park and is one of the largest of its kind in Germany. The system absorbs heat from the ground and stores it. In conjunction with highly efficient heat pumps, the stored energy is used for heating and cooling all year round – largely powered by the electricity generated by the on-site photovoltaic systems.
The green-campus, the new global headquarters of Opel and the headquarters of Stellantis Germany, is a flagship project within the ‘Made for Germany’ initiative. It will further strengthen the surrounding region, and indeed Germany as a whole, as a business location. ‘Made for Germany’ brings together leading companies and investors from across industries, united in their commitment to a strong, successful, and future-proof economy in Germany.