SUSTAINABLE AND EFFICIENT
CONVERTING EXISTING BUILDINGS
Against the backdrop of climate change and ever-dwindling resources, not to mention the lack of space in urban and suburban areas, high construction costs, and long construction times, converting existing buildings is becoming an increasingly important part of ECE Work & Live’s service portfolio. The focus is on the conversion of disused office buildings into residential and hotel properties, as four current project examples show.
KEY BENEFITS
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Valuable soil is conserved because no additional areas need to be sealed.
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Reduced gray emissions compared with those originally produced during the construction of the building.
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The shell already exists, saving time and money.
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Funding opportunities, such as those offered by KfW for energy-efficient renovation, support the profitability of existing properties
Düsseldorf
SUSTAINABLE HOMES INSTEAD OF OFFICES
In Düsseldorf, ECE Work & Live is planning to convert a former office building into an attractive and sustainable residential building with around 160 modern condos. The structure of the three-part building from the 1970s is ideally suited for conversion to contemporary residential use. Another plus point: the property is centrally located in a residential area near the zoo park, which is considered the green lung of the city with its pond, meadows and playgrounds. The development plan for the building already designates it as residential, so there is no need to draw up a new development plan.
160
MODERN CONDOS
Conversion project in Rome
LIVING NEAR THE COLOSSEUM
In a residential project directly south of Rome’s historic old town, ECE Work & Live is planning to develop a vacant office building dating from the early 1960s and convert it into a modern residential building with around 240 elegant condos on Via Cristoforo Colombo, a leafy boulevard with Mediterranean flair. Just a five-minute drive from the Colosseum, Garbatella is a popular and established residential district due to its central location and good links. Schools and shops are within walking distance. The Parco della Caffarella, a popular local recreation area, is also nearby. ECE is working on the conversion project with an experienced local joint venture partner. Construction work is due to begin in April 2026.
240
ELEGANT CONDOS
5 min.
DRIVE TO THE COLOSSEUM
3 QUESTION FOR:
VALENTIN HADELICH
Regional Head Italy, Office & Residential Development at ECE Work & Live
#1
What makes the Italian market so attractive to ECE Work & Live?
The Italian market offers straightforward entry opportunities due to a large number of unfinished project plans. Rome in particular is currently one of Europe’s most dynamic cities, where modern living space is very much in demand. This presents good opportunities for companies with a strong equity base like ECE. There is excess demand due to the low level of new construction activity and lack of new developments. The ratio of homeowners to renters is around 80 to 20 percent in Italy – the inverse of Germany – which is also driving the constant demand for condos.
#2
Is it as expensive and complicated to build in Italy as it is in Germany?
Despite the rising prices in recent years, it is still much cheaper to build in Italy than it is in Germany. The approval channels are fundamentally different from those in Germany. Thanks to the simplified SCIA approval procedure, which involves submitting a self-declaration document to which the authority has a period of 30 days to object, it is possible to avoid long planning permission procedures. Of course, the corresponding requirements must be met here, which is the case with our conversion project on Via Cristoforo Colombo in Rome, for example.
#3
What’s next for ECE Work & Live in Italy?
With the current construction projects in different phases, we have our hands full at the moment. We are examining new approaches with a view to establishing a stable project pipeline, especially in Rome and Milan.
Opening soon
Ruby Hotel in Rome
On the homestretch: In the heart of Rome, the conversion of a listed property is almost complete. It was used as an office building until recently, but is set to become a hotel of the Ruby Hotel Group, which is known for its lean luxury concept. On a gross floor area of 6,700 m 2, ECE Work & Live has created a total of 164 rooms spread over six floors as well as a rooftop bar – always with an eye on sustainability. The aim is for the building to be taxonomy-compliant and achieve DGNB Gold certification. It is due to open in 2025.
ESG-Spotlight
AN EXAMPLE OF LOWER CARBON EMISSIONS
For the conversion of an office property into a Ruby Hotel in Rome, the software and consulting company CAALA, which specializes in sustainability in the construction and real estate sector, has performed the following calculation:
13 %
REDUCTION IN GREEN - HOUSE GAS EMISSIONS OVER THE BUILDING’S ENTIRE LIFE CYCLE COMPARED TO A NEW BUILD
Almost 50 %
GRAY EMISSIONS CUT AS A RESULT OF RETAININGTHE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE
Conversion in Copenhagen
TURNING OFFICES INTO A RUBY HOTEL
ECE is entering the Danish market with our first hotel project in Denmark, where an office building in Copenhagen is currently being converted into a hotel. In 2024, we acquired a site with an office building and a gross floor area of approx. 7,600 m 2 on Gammel Kongevej, the attractive main shopping street in the independent Frederiksberg district to the west of the city center. We are currently converting the building into a designer hotel with 219 rooms, which is due for completion in early 2027. ECE was able to secure the Ruby Group as the operator and is thus celebrating a premiere at the same time because it will be the first location in Denmark. Sustainability is playing a key role in the con - version. ECE is aiming for the property to be taxonomy-compliant and achieve DGNB Gold certification. To this end, besides using the existing framework, the plans include a new energy-efficient facade and the use of district heating. The project is being supervised by an ESG manager.
219
ROOMS
7,600 m²
GROSS FLOOR SPACE
“Copenhagen has always been one of our top priorities, which is why we are all the more delighted to be here now in this dynamic and growing market with the Ruby Group, while continuing our successful partnership with ECE.”
ELENA GÜNTHER-JAKOBS, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHERN EUROPE AT THE RUBY GROUP
CONVERTING EXISTING BUILDINGS
Read more about solutions for scarce living space, high Construction costs and climate change - all of which make the conversion of existing buildings increasingly important. The opportunities and challenges of under construction are highlighted here - including current examples from ECE Work & Live.