OFFICEFIRST KARL-MARTELL-STRASSE, Nuremberg

Energy upgrades to a 1990s office building while it remained fully operational, with a hybrid energy plant and improvements guided by ESG criteria 

The 1990s regularly make a comeback in fashion and music. Building technology and energy performance are another matter. This seven-story office building in western Nuremberg dates from the early 1990s and needed an energy upgrade to bring it up to date.

The property is leased entirely to insurer ERGO Direkt and includes 650 workspaces, a cafeteria, and a parking garage. It received a new hybrid energy plant, while heat pumps provide heating and cooling. On top of that, a new transformer system supplies the increased electrical capacity and a gas boiler covers peak demand. The owner also refurbished selected restrooms, the commercial kitchen, and replaced the energy supply systems and rainwater pipes.

Managing an Energy Retrofit During Normal Operation

Drees & Sommer managed the project, including tenant management, technical and commercial consulting, as well as quality assurance. Throughout the process, the team monitored costs, schedules, and quality. Construction took place in two clearly defined phases while the office remained operational, allowing ERGO’s employees to continue using their offices. The aim was to upgrade the existing building based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.

The owner needed a sound basis for investment decisions and a clear picture of future operating costs. Drees & Sommer assessed the heat pump design, the increase in transformer capacity, and the use of gas heating for peak demand early in the project. The team incorporated its findings into a reliable project plan and coordinated communication and responsibilities between the owner, asset manager, and tenant, ERGO Direkt. 

Added value

• Refurbishment of the energy plant and selected tenant areas during normal operations
• A hybrid energy plant combining heat pumps, a gas boiler for peak demand, and a new transformer system
• A sound basis for investment decisions and transparency over operating costs
• A contribution to ESG compliance and decarbonization of the existing property
• Reliable communication between the owner, asset manager, and tenant 

Services

• Project management
• Tenant management
• Technical and commercial consulting
• Quality assurance