International advisory company JLL will lease 8,000 sqm of space in the Warsaw Spire complex, Ghelamco’s flagship office investment currently being developed at plac Europejski in close proximity to Daszyńskiego Roundabout in Warsaw. As a result, JLL will consolidate all of its Warsaw-based business lines (JLL Poland, EMEA Lease Administration and Corporate Solutions Centre of Excellence, European Finance Centre) in one location.
Relocation to the company’s new office at plac Europejski will be conducted in two phases. In Q2 2016, 450 employees from JLL Poland and EMEA Lease Administration and Corporate Solutions Centre of Excellence will occupy 5,900 sqm of space on four floors (floors 27 – 30 in the A tower building). During phase two of the consolidation in 2020, the team from the European Finance Centre will join their colleagues in Warsaw Spire, moving to floors 25 and 26. Ultimately, 700 JLL employees will occupy 8,000 sqm of space. Such a large volume of space will enable the company to further develop its structure in Warsaw. This is especially true in the case of EMEA Lease Administration and Corporate Solutions Centre of Excellence as it continues to expand its international team that provides strategic services for JLL’s key corporate clients in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
“We wanted to consolidate JLL’s three Warsaw-based operations within one, meticulously selected location. The selection of the Warsaw Spire office building has proved to be the best possible solution. For us the modern office space equipped with advanced technological solutions, an ability to lease all of the required space on neighbouring floors, the scheme’s access to public transport, and the lease terms offered by the developer were all primary factors. The building’s interesting architecture and its extensive range of amenities, such as a large fitness club, the common space with restaurants, canteens and coffee shops as well as attractively designed green areas, and numerous facilities for cyclists also proved to be important. All of these aspects engender the creation of a modern working environment that goes far beyond the traditional understanding of what constitutes a modern office,” commented Tomasz Trzósło, Managing Director JLL Poland.
The new office will be based on JLL’s smart workplace concept. Joanna Gajewska – Sokołowska, Director of EMEA Lease Administration and Corporate Solutions Centre of Excellence, JLL, commented: “We plan to create an office space tailored and adjusted to different needs and working styles. Such a space arrangement encourages both team work within one department and project co-operation among people from different divisions as well as individual work that requires focus above the norm. Furthermore, the JLL team will be given a wide selection of office rooms dependent on employees’ current tasks. The new office will be based on a flexible working environment. The model of shared desks will be applied in some of the departments based on mobility of work and the number of meetings conducted outside the office.”
A number of conference rooms, ranging in size, will be arranged in the occupied space as well as focus rooms and two libraries – total-quiet zones providing the opportunity to rest. Furthermore, there will be numerous open spaces for informal employee meetings as well as a relaxation area.
“Before launching the design works, we conducted a thorough analysis of the working environment including specialist observations, analyses and questionnaires. We also asked employees about what they cared about the most. A very crucial element of our new office will be zones designed for informal meetings, rest, entertainment and even sports, enabling employees to integrate, celebrate their successes or just relax. It can be said that we create JLL’s new office together so that the whole team will feel highly comfortable,” Tomasz Trzósło added.
Experts from Tétris by Neo Świat are the authors of the design concept. JLL’s new office will undergo BREEAM certification by a specialized unit of JLL Poland.
Warsaw Spire developed by Ghelamco is one of the most significant investments on Warsaw’s business map. With over 100,000 sqm of office space it is by far the largest office project currently under construction in Poland, and the country’s second tallest building after the Palace of Art and Science.
Warsaw Spire complex comprises three buildings: A – a 220-meter high tower building of 60,000 sqm on 49 floors, where JLL’s new office will be located, and two adjacent 55-meter high buildings – B and C, which both have 20,000 sqm on15 floors.
Almost 70% of available office space is already leased in Warsaw Spire.
Warsaw Spire will be the seat of numerous companies and institutions, including: The European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (Frontex), BNP Paribas Securities Services, Benefit Systems, Bilfinger HSG Facility Management, Samsung, The Centre for EU Transport Projects (CEUTP), Adecco Poland and Daftcode.
“We are very glad to have JLL as a new tenant of Warsaw Spire – a company of experts who appreciated the quality of our office complex and, among all other buildings on the market, chose Warsaw Spire for its headquarters. Their choice is the best testimony for the project we created. Warsaw Spire is an exceptional project, unique in terms of scale, quality and perfect location. It not only defines the new business hub of Poland’s capital city, but also introduces a new value to Warsaw’s urban space, thanks to plac Europejski square, which seamlessly combines public and commercial functions,” commented Jeroen van der Toolen, Managing Director CEE at Ghelamco.
Warsaw Spire will be equipped with the most modern technical solutions, including a double deck elevator system, a first for a building in Poland, as well as an innovative air conditioning system designed by Samsung in building A. Ghelamco’s flagship investment has been developed in accordance with the requirements of the BREEAM certification system and has obtained this prestigious certificate, attaining an “Excellent” level.
Warsaw Spire and plac Europejski are being realized simultaneously, with completion scheduled for April 2016.
