GEA opens new corporate headquarters in Düsseldorf's maxfrei urban district
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Open, connected, sustainable – GEA has opened its new corporate headquarters in the “maxfrei” urban district of Düsseldorf-Derendorf. On the site of the former Ulmer Höh prison now stands an architectural landmark that sets new standards for modern working and urban integration. Flexible open-plan offices, green roofs, smart building technology, and 40 EV charging points create a workplace that unites collaboration, creativity, and climate protection.
New company headquarters
GEA's new headquarters unites modern workplace and sustainability
- New headquarters in Düsseldorf's “maxfrei” quarter in Derendorf district
- Attractive, modern working environment with a wide range of opportunities for collaboration
- LEED Gold-certified building with a focus on sustainability, flexibility, and urban integration underscores GEA's leadership in sustainability
Düsseldorf, August 18, 2025 – The international technology company GEA today moved into its new corporate headquarters at Ulmenstr. 99 in the new “maxfrei” urban district in Düsseldorf-Derendorf. GEA previously occupied three buildings in Düsseldorf’s Airport City. Bringing all central functions and parts of the divisional and country organizations under one roof marks an important step toward greater cross-functional collaboration, shorter distances, and a corporate culture built on dialogue, personal responsibility, and openness. The new headquarters represents a clear commitment to the city of Düsseldorf – one of Europe's leading business locations. Its modern design supports frequent in-person exchanges, innovation, and new ways of working.
Architecture for modern working
The new building, designed by the architectural firm caspar.schmitzmorkramer, combines functionality with a high-quality working environment. The building frames a green inner courtyard that serves as a quiet, light-filled retreat and a design link between the wings of the building. Flexible open-plan spaces, meeting areas, collaboration spaces and quiet rooms, inviting foyers, a canteen, and a communal roof terrace promote exchange and creativity.
“Our new corporate headquarters is a milestone for GEA and at the same time an expression of our values. Here, we are shaping the future together: with openness, responsibility and a solution-oriented mindset. The new headquarters embodies modern work culture, fosters open dialogue among peers, and reflects our ambition as a global technology company to unite social responsibility with entrepreneurial success,” says GEA CEO Stefan Klebert.
Architectural inspiration in a forward-looking neighborhood
The new company headquarters is part of the striking ”maxfrei” development in a neighborhood with a unique history. Where the Ulmer Höh prison stood until 2012, a car-free, vibrant district has emerged with subsidized housing, a daycare center, public green spaces, and a strong commitment to sustainability. In 2021, “maxfrei” was honored with the prestigious polis Award for “Urban Land Recycling” as a prime example of successful transformation, social integration, and the preservation of cultural identity.
Sustainable thinking – down to the last detail
The building meets the Efficiency House 55 standard and holds the international LEED Gold certificate – proof of its high energy efficiency and resource conservation. Measures include:
- Photovoltaic systems on intensively greened roofs
- District heating with more than 90% of heat sourced from waste-to-energy plants
- Rainwater management via retention areas
- Smart building technology with AI-supported consumption analysis
- Charging facilities are also available for bicycles and cargo bikes.
GEA alone has 40 exclusive e-charging points at its disposal – the underground car park is prepared for expansion to 160. Bicycles and cargo bikes can also be charged on site.
Integration into a lively environment
The urban quarter follows the 15-minute city concept: living, working, mobility, and amenities are all within walking distance. With its recesses, exposed concrete, natural stone, and wood veneer elements, the architecture of the headquarters fits seamlessly into the surrounding urban landscape – open to the city, with views of the historic chapel that forms the center of the quarter.
The mixed-use, green neighborhood was developed by a joint venture between HAMBURG TEAM and Arrow Global Germany. “The GEA headquarters transforms a historic location into a place of the future – open, connected, and helping to shape the city skyline. That's exactly what good urban development is all about today,” says architect Anja Lohfink, project manager for the two “maxfrei” office buildings at HAMBURG TEAM.
“With our new headquarters, we are offering a very attractive environment for current and future GEA employees. We are convinced that our modern building in the lively ‘maxfrei’ district will further enhance our employer attractiveness and thus also contribute to GEA's long-term success,” adds Stefan Klebert.
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NOTES TO THE EDITOR
- More information about GEA
- To the GEA Media Center
- Follow GEA on LinkedIn, Youtube
Contact Media Relations GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft Matthias Schnettler Ulmenstr. 99, 40476 Düsseldorf, Germany Phone +49 211 9136-1500 matthias.schnettler@gea.com
About GEA
GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. For instance, every second pharma separator for essential healthcare products such as vaccines or novel biopharmaceuticals is produced by GEA. In food, every fourth package of pasta or every third chicken nugget are processed with GEA technology. With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated revenues of about EUR 5.5 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2024 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customers’ production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world.”
GEA is listed on the German MDAX, the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is also a constituent of the leading sustainability indices DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability and Dow Jones Best-in-Class World.
More information can be found online at gea.com.
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