ABB announced plans to establish a new global headquarters at its heritage site in Zurich Oerlikon. The building project is estimated at approximately CHF 80 million, subject to the final construction costs. The investment reflects ABB’s strong commitment to the City of Zurich and the company’s ambition to create a modern, future-ready workplace for its around 500 Zurich-based employees.
The new headquarters will consist of an existing historic building and a new extension, based on a design concept by the renowned architectural firm Christ & Gantenbein, which has extensive experience in renovating listed objects. The iconic ABB Historic Building, which is currently leased out, will be fully renovated and modernized in compliance with heritage protection requirements, ensuring its character is preserved while adapting it for contemporary use. Beyond enabling ABB to use the building itself, the reuse and upgrading of the existing structure was a key factor in terms of sustainability.
The Historic Building will be complemented by a new six-story building in the inner courtyard, replacing the so-called Chicago Hall event venue which is not listed as a protected site. The brick façade of the extension will continue the materiality of the existing building, while the construction method for the extension uses a contemporary, material-efficient wood composite construction. Together with intelligent technical solutions from ABB, the aim is to achieve a low energy level supported by photovoltaic power generation.
The new headquarters will feature a gross floor area of around 10,800 square meters. Key amenities will include a 200 square meters lounge and cafeteria, a 280 square meters lobby and exhibition area, a 450 square meters auditorium and media space, and an 80 square meters wellbeing area with a fitness center. It will be home to employees from both ABB corporate functions as well as its business areas and divisions.
Planning for the headquarters project will take place over the next years, with detailed design expected in 2026/2027 and construction starting thereafter. ABB plans to move into the new headquarters in 2031. Until the new facilities are ready, ABB will continue to operate from its current and nearby Cityport building in Zurich Oerlikon, where ABB has a leasing contract until 2031.
For more information, visit abb.com.
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