Conceived in the late 1970s as a counterpart to City North, City South has evolved into a thriving office district in Hammerbrook—once completely devastated during the war, and before that a densely populated working-class neighbourhood. Strategic investment in new residential buildings, hotels, and waterfront improvements along the canals have transformed City South into a vibrant mixed-use quarter. Here, gmp · Gerkan, Marg and Partners has completed Olympus's new European headquarters, focused on medical technology. The campus also houses Design Offices, a forward-thinking New Work company that operates co-working spaces, a public café, and conference and event facilities on the ground floor—all accessible around the clock, further activating the neighbourhood.

The building's striking Hanseatic brick façade establishes a clear urban presence along Heidenkampsweg and neighbouring streets. Where once scattered developments and surface parking dominated, the new structure now anchors an entire city block. Composed of three interconnected structures rising seven to eleven storeys, the complex thoughtfully respects the scale and rhythm of its surroundings. This block configuration creates four verdant courtyards, featuring outdoor dining for the Olympus staff restaurant and tranquil retreat spaces.

The main entrances on Wendenstraße and Heidenkampsweg open into an expansive foyer that flows seamlessly into the campus as a covered atrium. An open staircase ascends to the training and conference centre. Seven strategically distributed access cores organize the interior, defining dedicated office zones and flexible multi-space areas with 14.50-metre depths, naturally lit from both sides. This generous layout enables a three-part system: external offices flanking a central zone for specialized functions and think tanks. Meeting areas and creative spaces are thoughtfully integrated into the six- and eight-storey connecting structures. Sustainability was paramount throughout the design and construction, earning DGNB Gold certification as a low-energy building.

www.gmp.de

Photography Credits:

Marcus Bredt
www.marcusbredt.de

(Featured in CUBE Hamburg 02|22)