ASSA ABLOY Mercor Doors, part of ASSA ABLOY Group, a global leader of comprehensive solutions in security systems of buildings, has leased nearly one thousand square metres of space in Format, an office building situated in Gdańsk. The location of the new company’s office is far from random – the building has expertly met the company’s needs in terms of location, function, quality, and developmental plans. The agreement signed with Torus, the building’s developer, covers the lease period of sixty-six months. Throughout the transaction, the tenant was supported by an advisory company – ITRA Polska.
Format is a well-thought-out decision
ASSA ABLOY Mercor Doors is a leading producer of technical steel doors, wooden doors, steel and aluminium-profiled doors and walls, fire gates, alongside doors dedicated to residential buildings. The company’s solutions fulfil the highest requirements in safety, protection, and comfort. The products are of top quality, modern design, dedicated to all types of buildings and facilities. They can be found in the most prestigious buildings both in Poland, and abroad.
The decision to move the head office of ASSA ABLOY Mercor Doors was well-thought-through, with the analysis of the Tricity market potential taking close to one year to complete.
- We looked for a proposal that would meet our expectations in a number of ways, with one eye set on the development plans as well. We did want to stay in the vicinity of Przymorze and Oliwa, while at the same time we sought to provide our employees with adequate conditions to use public transportation. Forum is well served by public means of transport, with the future footbridge, which is set to connect the plot with the SKM train platform, considered to be an additional convenience. We have multiple enthusiasts of cycling within our Gdańsk-based team, thus, the respective infrastructure and comfortable base dedicated to biking fans were met with a great deal of positive reception. In ASSA ABLOY Group, we pay special attention to the natural environment, therefore, we were searching for a building which, along with work comfort, would provide the energy-saving and ecological solutions. The platinum LEED certificate obtained by the building ensures the highest standards in this very respect. Hence, we are certain that this Format will suit us – says Agnieszka Matulaniec, Administration & Purchasing Director.
ASSA ABLOY Mercor Doors shall move into their new office in March 2024, with the transaction supported by ITRA Polska.
– The Tricity’s office resources amount already to over one million square metres of space. We are glad we could show ASSA ABLOY Mercor Doors around the local market, all the more so, because we are operating in a time of the widespread reorganization of working models, while observing the increase of office maintenance costs. In the end, the client decided on the office located in the business centre of Gdańsk, with convenient access to public transportation, and a broad offer of local services. It is yet another transaction we have been part of in the Format building. It further acknowledges great involvement and professionalism of the developer that can ably respond to the needs of the tenants – comments Martyna Balcer, COO, Associate Director in ITRA Polska.
Format is currently leased in nearly ninety percent, boasting among its tenants also ERGO Technology & Services, Sitel, and Collab, to name just a few.
- I do believe in the office market. It is clearly undergoing changes, and it is more demanding nowadays, however, I am certain that the attractive location, high standard of architecture and construction, respective functionality, and energy-saving properties, all ensuring comfortable conditions for development, will further attract prospective tenants. Format serves as a good example – the office building commercialised in a challenging period, initially during the pandemic, these days in the war and inflation-affected times, is occupied in ninety percent. It is another attractive investment product which we are launching onto the capital market – says Sławomir Gajewski, Torus CEO.
Office building with sport grounds and footbridge
Format is located in a business part of Gdańsk which borders on Oliwa and Przymorze. The building has five overground storeys, with its total leasable space standing at nearly sixteen thousand square metres. It is superbly served by public transport – located in the direct vicinity of the PKP/SKM Oliwa train station, ensuring a comfortable and quick commute to work for residents of Gdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia, and nearby towns alike. The station also services long-distance trains, which greatly facilitates business trips and business meetings. The building is accompanied by a great deal of car parking spots – 396 in total, and an additional extensive biking infrastructure (an outdoor parking area and dedicated zones in underground parking lots, alongside changing rooms fitted with showers and lockers). There is an outdoor sports area under construction – basketball and volleyball courts, which will facilitate integration and physical activity in open air. Torus is also going to build a footbridge that shall connect the Format area with the SKM platform, which will further boost the comfort of using the urban train services for both the building residents, and local dwellers as well.
The Format office building is certificated in the LEED system – having reached the highest, platinum level. The building was designed by the Tricity subsidiary of APA Wojciechowski Architekci design office.
Torus is one of the leaders among Polish office developers, although the company’s portfolio is far broader – it is made up of hotel investments, including revitalizations, warehouses, and residential housing as well. Up to now, Torus has delivered more than 180,000 sq. m. of leasable space onto the Tricity market, and has concluded seven sales transactions of its office property to six various funds (five buildings in Arkońska Business Park and four stages of Alchemia) for the combined fee of nearly 370 million Euro.
