New ING Luxembourg Headquarters

BREEAM ‘Excellent’

In August 2012, BESIX RED, which was actively prospecting the Luxembourg real estate market, learned that bank group ING was looking to house all its Luxembourg services and 700 employees – who were divided over 3 facilities – in a single building. BESIX RED found an ideal site: the Galerie Kons, conveniently located in front of the Luxembourg central station and a few steps away from the ‘Gare’ tram stop. ING quickly confirmed its interest in this unique location, after which the teams started the works. The entire site was rebuilt in a mere 28 months.

BREAAM ‘Excellent’ Certificate

The Kons project, designed by M3 Architects, comprises an area of 20,500 m², of which 14,600 m² is dedicated to offices, 2,400 m² to shops and 3,500 m² to housing. ING will occupy a significant portion (75%) of the office space. Together with partners BPI Luxembourg (part of CFE) and Immobel, BESIX RED aimed for a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ certification. Thanks to the project’s outstanding technical and environmental performance, facilitated by green roofs and three interior courtyards, Kons was certified as BREEAM ‘Excellent’.

Challenging working conditions

The site’s location in the midst of the dense urban environment of Luxembourg city, required a high level of flexibility in terms of logistics. The old Kons gallery was completely reconstructed and renovated, saving only the parking spaces. As the client wanted to preserve part of the site’s historic character, the architects and engineers used a structure made of concrete mixed with steel. This effort received the accolade ‘Ingenieurpreis des Deutschen Stahlbaues 2017’.

This project demonstrates the growing importance of easy access to public transport for the employees and clients of businesses who want to establish a foothold in a capital city.