Poznań, June 8th, 2010

   CHARTER OF FOUNDATION 

Andersia Business Centre

‘The spring of 2010 has sorely tried the land, in the soil of whose the foundations of this building have been laid. Painfully tried by the fate, afflicted by the elements of limitless force, preoccupied with building strong Poland and stable Europe – our homeland and the homeland of all homelands – we feel a ceaseless surge of spring energy, faith, courage and joy – the most fundamental drivers of change. This force of creating something “new” is accompanied and supported by this organic work practice which is deeply rooted in Poznań; for many years this work practice has also been present in the actions of Von der Heyden Group, the Developer of the new building, with its name which, inspired by the first letters of the alphabet, is clear, simple and comprehensive – “ABC – Andersia Business Centre”.

It is already for the third time that the City of Poznań and Von der Heyden Group have made efforts and taken the risk of transforming disused stretches of the city area into vibrant centre forming city space. The success of the two earlier projects – the buildings of Poznań Financial Centre and Andersia Tower and the fruitful collaboration of the Parties involved, allows us to look into the future with confidence and courage; this is the future we wish to be proud of and we are prepared to take a full responsibility for. We want this creation of our brains and brawn to serve the City and its residents, so that the development would be as universal as the European character of Poznań and Poland.

On the 8th day of June 2010, we laid the Foundation Stone which initiates the building and which symbolizes its sturdiness as well as the effort of many people. This act itself already confirms the conceptual, planning and organizational works that took months to complete. Now the time has come to commence the construction works. We hereby hand over the control to the builders, and kindly ask for a blessing to the efforts already put forth and the efforts ahead of us.

May the Foundation Act of Andersia Business Centre serve as a proof of the joint effort and success of the City of Poznań, governed by the Mayor, Mr Ryszard Grobelny, the Developer, Von der Heyden Group and Andersia Property Sp. z o.o. – the co-operating parties, Mr Sven von der Heyden and Mr Adam Trybusz, the business partner – Wielkopolskie Centrum Wspierania Inwestycji Sp. z o.o. with Mr Grzegorz Michalski, Architects Ewa and Stanisław Sipiński, contractors Porr (POLAND) S.A. and their guarantor, Mr Peter Hartman, advisors and consultants – people of solid know-how: Mr Józef Borowski and Mr Mariusz Gaertner, as well as many other obliging and hard-working People.’

This Act has been entered into in harmony and friendship by people who are proud of their work:

Mr Ryszard Grobelny, Mayor of Poznań

Mr Sven von der Heyden
Mr Adam Trybusz

Mr Grzegorz Michalski

Mrs Ewa Sipińska
Mr Stanisław Sipiński

Mr Peter Hartmann

Mr Józef Borowski

Mr Mariusz Gertner

All obliging and hard-working people

Download: 

ABC Charter of Foundation – 8.06.2010
ABC Press Conference – 8.06.2010

Above ground works to start in July.

Andersia Business Centre (ABC), the next piece of modern architecture business complex in Poznan City Centre, a joint venture between the City of Poznan and Von der Heyden Group, has obtained financing. From among all banks invited to co-operation, the best offer was made by Bank Zachodni WBK S.A.

Underground construction works of ABC have already been completed before debt financing  and finished successfully by PORR (Polska) S.A. according to the plan. Above ground works of ABC are about to start in July and are estimated to last only 14 months, the General Contractor is also PORR (Polska) S.A., one of the leaders on the European construction market.

Sven von der Heyden, Chairman of Von der Heyden Group, said: “I am particularly proud and relieved to have been able to strengthen our ties with BZWBK, who even during a difficult market environment at all times during the last years has been a reliable but also commercially thinking partner. Getting projects of this size financed is not that easy these days, hence I want to compliment our team, BZWBK and all advisors involved“.

Adam Trybusz, Managing Director of Andersia Business Centre Sp. z o.o. and Von der Heyden Group in Poznan, said: “If there was a contest for the ‘European Capital of Consistency’, not only ‘European Capital of Culture’ that we are a little jealous of Wroclaw, Poznan would probably be the winner of such contest! Anders Square is a prime example of a consistent development policy of the city. Each project is always a step forward, never backwards. In the near future we envisage to do two projects at once. After ABC we will develop two more towers with total rentable area of 35.000sqm. This is the goal set by our Partner in business – the City of Poznan.”

Key facts on Andersia Business Centre:

Location: Plac Andersa, heart of Poznań

Estimated investment value: Euro 33 mln

Usable area: 14.000 m2

Rentable area: high class offices in 5 storey building (11.200m2, each floor of 2.800 m2), ground floor – prime retail space (2.300 m2)

Two levels underground car park: 150 places

Above ground construction time: 14 months, estimated completion of construction works: September 2012

Investor and Developer: Von der Heyden Group, Andersia Business Centre Sp. z o.o.

Architect: Pracownia Architektoniczna Ewy i Stanisława Sipińskich Sp. z o.o.

Project Manager: Probuild Sp. z o.o.

General Contractor: PORR (Polska) S.A.

Exclusive Agent and Financial Advisor: Knight Frank Sp. z o.o.

More on Andersia Business Centre, project participants and surrounding:

Andersia Business Centre (ABC) combines modern office and retail functions and constitutes the third phase of Anders Square development. It will provide a representative frontage for Krolowa Jadwiga Street and a perfect opportunity for a new office in the heart of business in Poznan.

The first phase of Anders Square development, Poznan Financial Centre (“Intelligent Building 2001 Award”), and the second phase, Andersia Tower (“Building of the Year 2007), were also developed by Von der Heyden Group. PFC was sold to AIB Polonia Property Fund S.a.r.l. in December 2004 and Andersia Tower was sold to DEKA Immobilien in January 2008.

For the realization of ABC development project, a special purpose company, Andersia Business Centre Sp. z o.o. has been established.

Andersia Business Centre (ABC) will be a high class, 5 storey above ground, office complex located in front of the PFC and Andersia Tower Building in the very centre of Poznan, in the neighborhood of the Old Town, Stary Browar and Poznan International Fairs. ABC will comprise of app.14.000 sqm net usable area and two underground levels with 150 parking places. The investment value is estimated at app. Euro 33 million.

The ABC building has been designed by the Architectural Studio of Ewa and Stanislaw Sipinscy who had also designed the previous two phases. Probuild Sp. z o.o. acts as Project Manager. Knight Frank is the exclusive agent and financial advisor.

The ABC building will harmonically complete the Anders Square development, still to be followed by two more Towers in 2013/2014, closing the gap between the Novotel Hotel and aforementioned new developments. Between PFC and Andersia Tower, a modern illuminated pedestrian passage will be created leading to an internal patio between Andersia Tower and ABC. Together with Poznan Financial Centre, Andersia Tower and a neighbouring Stary Browar, ABC will add even more life to this office, hotel and retail centre in Poznan.

Download:

Press Release – ABC – 22.06.2011 ENG

Construction works of Andersia Business Centre (ABC), a joint venture between Von der Heyden Group and the City of Poznan have finished on time. In October 2012, the General Contractor, Porr (Polska) S.A. handed over to the investor the construction site with completed high A class complex combining office and retail functions.

With Andersia Business Centre, Andersia Tower and Poznan Financial Centre, the Anders Square has become the heart of business in Poznan attracting renowned Tenants like e.g.: Bank Zachodni WBK, Polkomtel, Franklin Templeton, Ernst & Young, IKB Leasing and many others.

Now, we are pleased to announce that Andersia Business Centre is in the process of negotiating a few significant leases and has just signed a long-term lease agreement for app. 800 sqm  with PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the “Big Four” leading global consultancy firms.  Knight Frank Sp. z o.o. acted as an advisor in this transaction.

On this occasion, Sven von der Heyden, Chairman of Von der Heyden Group, said: “I’m particularly pleased that we have repeated the enormous success of PFC and Andersia Tower and seem to be the third time lucky with Andersia Business Centre, though in a much more demanding business environment. I would like to thank PricewaterhouseCoopers for their continuous trust they put into us. We wish them that they feel like at home at their new office at ABC as they felt in VDHG’s first office development project in Warsaw in 1997. Taking the opportunity, I would like to truly thank all our Partners engaged in this project: the Architects – Mrs Ewa and Stanisław Sipińscy, our General Contractor – Porr (Polska), our Project Manager – Probuild, Bank Zachodni WBK, advisors of Knight Frank and our whole team who have contributed to make this effort and dream come true for us. We are convinced that this project is not our last word at the Anders Square in Poznan, given that we are going to develop one more project on that very location”.

Adam Trybusz, Managing Director of Andersia Business Centre Sp. z o.o. and Von der Heyden Group in Poznan, said: “Every five years more or less, a new building is constructed at the Anders Square. Each one is different and a code of its times. Each project is a challenge, a difficult risk to be taken. However, knocking down all adversity and discontent gives an incredible satisfaction at the end. It’s a great joy to many people. It’s also a great example of mutual trust. We believe that thanks to trustful co-operation with the City of Poznan as confirmed by the new ABC project, as well as thanks to the trust of Bank Zachodni WBK S.A., a leader in real estate financing, in a few years we will be able to hand over to the city another building that will contribute and cultivate the brand of the city. “Poznan – the city of know-how” is not an ISO certificate of the city office but it’s our ID. The ID of the city inhabitants, our business, our knowledge and our obligation as well. We should be glad with what we have achieved but not go asleep because what Poznan need is to wake up from the historical state of well-being.”

ABC PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Andersia Business Centre (ABC) is a joint venture between Von der Heyden Group and the City of Poznan located in the very centre of Poznan. It constitutes the third phase of Anders Square development. For the realization of the ABC development project, a special purpose company, Andersia Business Centre Sp. z o.o. was established.

The first phase of Anders Square development, Poznan Financial Centre (“Intelligent Building 2001 Award”), and the second phase, Andersia Tower (“Building of the Year 2007), were also developed by Von der Heyden Group. PFC was sold to AIB Polonia Property Fund S.a.r.l. in December 2004 and Andersia Tower was sold to DEKA Immobilien in January 2008.

Construction works of Andersia Business Centre finished in October 2012. The building combines modern office and retail functions. It is a high class, 5 storey above ground, office complex located in front of the PFC and Andersia Tower Buildings, in the neighborhood of the Old Town, Stary Browar and Poznan International Fairs. ABC comprises of app. 14.000 sqm net usable area and two underground levels with 140 parking places. The investment value is app. Euro 33 million.

The ABC building was designed by the Architectural Studio of Ewa and Stanislaw Sipińscy who had also designed the previous two phases. Project management has been entrusted to Probuild Sp. z o.o.   Porr (Polska) S.A. acted as a General Contractor. Knight Frank is an exclusive agent and a financial advisor.

Currently Andersia Business Centre is in the process of obtaining LEED green building certificate for sustainable buildings. Tenants will benefit from high performance technologies, energy and water saving solutions as well as healthy finishing materials.

ABC LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY:

The ABC building harmonically completes the right hand side of Andres Square development, still to be followed in future by two more buildings to be located on the left hand side, closing the gap between the Novotel Hotel and aforementioned new developments. ABC provides a representative frontage for Krolowa Jadwigi Street. Additionally, between PFC and Andersia Tower, a modern illuminated pedestrian passage has been created leading to an internal patio between Andersia Tower and ABC. Together with a neighboring Stary Browar, it will add even more life to this office, hotel and retail centre in Poznan.

Andersia Business Centre has a very convenient communication access being surrounded by public roads. The building located close to Królowej Jadwigi Street is 7 kilometers away from the new A2 highway. It takes about 20 minutes (quick and convenient access) to get to the local Ławica airport, and it is a 15 minute walk to reach the train station. About 600.000 people live within 20 minute-drive radius from the building.

Anders Square closes the cultural, entertainment and commercial route which runs from the Old Town and Półwiejska Street. As a commercial building together with the surrounding buildings it makes an attractive business-oriented area.

CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT:

The Public private partnership at hand has paved the way to promote the city, its culture and history. The investor participates in city life and except for getting involved in sponsoring cultural and art events, taking part in social activities, it also makes own initiatives, for example “Time Gate” monument designed by prof. Andrzej Bednarczyk and erected in front of the IBB Andersia Hotel, or modern mirrors composition installed lately by Tomasz Wojtkowiak closing the newly created passage between ABC and IBB Andersia Hotel.

The previous undertakings included, for example the construction of the “Cyryl Ratajski Monument” – the famous first President of the City of Poznan, and active support in the construction of the “Polish Cryptographers Monument” – those who decoded the German coding device Enigma. Another and recent example refers to a monument of Roman Wilhelmi, a famous Polish actor born in Poznan, the monument was unveiled in Poznan on November 3, 2012.

For a few years, VDHG have been actively supporting also horse competitions – Memorial of Mr Andrzej Frankiewicz, former vice-president of Poznan and a great sportsman.

Besides the above mentioned activities, Von der Heyden Group via its subsidiaries supports various cultural and educational events. During its presence in Poznan, the Group has been the patron of e.g.: Garrick Ohlsson concert, Concert of Academic Choir of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Malta Theatre Festival, concerts of the Boys’ and Men’s Choir of the Poznan Philharmonic, the main sponsor of series of concerts preceding “Before the Carnegie Hall Debut” of Łukasz Kuropaczewski who as the first Polish guitarist performed in the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York.

Just recently in October 2012, Von der Heyden Group sponsored an outdoor photo exhibition “La Défence à Poznan” together with a conference on Poznan space planning and architecture that took place at the newly created pedestrian passage between ABC and IBB Andersia Hotel, under the patronage of the French Ambassador in Poland and the President of Poznan.

Download:

VDHG press release – ABC end of construction and PWC-16.11.2012