Format (under construction)

ERGO-group company chose Format for their head office

24 maja 2021

ERGO Technology & Services has leased close to six thousand square meters of space in the Format office building in Gdańsk. The company will move its activity to the new location in May next year. The lease agreement with the developer, Torus, was signed for 5 years. The lessee was represented by an international consulting firm Cushman & Wakefield.

ERGO Technology & Services S.A. (ET&S) has been operating in Poland under one trade name since January 2021. It was established upon the integration of ERGO Digital IT and Atena, embracing within one organization the know-how and best practices of both entities. As one of the main hubs in the global structure of ERGO Technology & Services Management AG, the company delivers technological solutions supporting the digitalization process of the whole ERGO Group. The new office in the Format building, covering the space of nearly six thousand square meters, constitutes another important phase of development and integration of the company. The employees will be given an office in a prime location, built in high standard, which provides numerous meeting spots of intriguing design, and also an external sports zone.

Ergo Technology & Services currently employs around 1000 people - an IT expert team specializing in engineering innovative solutions for the insurance industry. The projects prove to be of complicated and long-term nature. Upon changing head offices, above all, we want to integrate the team; thanks to the new head office we will be able to work in one location (as opposed to the four locations we have been working in until now). The change will allow us to supply our employees with the best possible conditions, bearing in mind not only the high standard of the facility, but also a customised surface arrangement. It will allow for the character of our work related to the swift methodology of conducting projects, and to the necessity of ensuring diverse surroundings: designated for the group work, individual work, and also for relaxation and integration.

Jacek Szymański, ERGO Technology & Services S.A. board member

Our branch has found the last year extremely challenging, but an investment in a modern, high-quality office space is invariably synonymous with investing in the development of the organization, with investing in the future. I am glad ERGO Technology & Services have recognized this very potential in our new building. Format is a technologically advanced office building that fulfils most demanding market standards. It is also superbly served by city public transport - location just by the Gdańsk Oliwa commuter train station will certainly represent an additional facility for the employees.

Sławomir Gajewski, Torus CEO

Format (under construction)

Office in good Format

The Format office building has 5 overground storeys, with its total leasable area amounting to nearly sixteen thousand square meters. It was erected in the Torus-proven high standard, meaning, among others: energetic safety based on two independent power lines, alongside the UPS devices and high power generator; providing areas with 50m3 worth of fresh air per capita per hour (highest value on the Tricity market, substantially above the norms), or the application of highly sensitive F7-class filters that remove contaminants from the air entering the building. Furthermore, based on the branch consultations conducted with various HVAC specialists, Torus has introduced a modification in the air handling units that are being installed in the newly-erected buildings (Format, Officyna II). The modification of the air handling unit framework, in correlation with the use of the UV-C lamps, eliminated the risk of any pathogens moving from the air blown out of the office space into the air which is blown in. It all takes place while maintaining the efficacy of the heat and humidity recovery on the existing levels. The solutions increase the levels of comfort and safety, and also remain in harmony with ecology, while having little relevant influence on the rise of respective maintenance costs. The building is also awarded with the LEED Gold-level pre-certificate, thus, it fulfils high environmental and health-related standards. Moreover, as a certificated ‘Facility without Barriers’ (‘Obiekt bez Barier’), it will be fully adjusted to the needs of the disabled.

Format (under construction)

Format houses 2 underground storeys, and 5 overground storeys, respectively. A part of the ground floor has been designed as a commercial-service area, operating independently from the above-located office areas. The -2 and -1 storeys are envisaged for car parking lots, and the cyclists’ zone (-1). The building will embrace two vertical communication shafts. Its façade is primarily glazed (with tilt windows), with non-transparent elements covered in clinker brick. The investment comes with the total of 396 parking spots for cars (316 in underground parts, and 80 outdoors). The Format architectural design has been devised by APA Wojciechowski Trójmiasto design studio.

Throughout the process of the selection of the new office, the lessee was supported by an international consulting firm Cushman & Wakefield.

ERGO Technology & Services was looking for an office which would respond to the present and future needs of its employees. I am content we have found a partner in Torus, whose office building met those requirements. It did not happen overnight, though. The selection of Format as the new location for our client capped off the years-long analyses, search, and negotiations. Securing the interests of the lessee upon such a significant office size, and concluding the transaction is such unpredictable times proved to have been a complex process. The real estate aspects have intertwined with the business and legal matters. Personally, I am extremely proud and delighted that - together with the team of experts from Cushman & Wakefield - we could support an ERGO-Group company in the transaction of a meaningful importance to the market.

Adam Schroeder, North Poland Regional Manager in Cushman & Wakefield.

Visualization of reception

The investment is located just by the main Tricity transport route marked by the commuter train line (SKM). Torus is making efforts to introduce additional commuting facilities which are to serve not only the office building employees, but also the local residents alike. Construction works on the traffic circle located by the very investment site were concluded several months ago, including safe, well-lit pedestrian crossings.

Format, visualization

Torus is one of the leaders among Polish office developers. Until now, through several investments, the company has launched onto the Tricity market more than 160,000 m2 of modern leased area. Torus has also realized 7 sales transactions of its office properties to 6 different investment funds (5 buildings of Arkońska Business Park, and 4 stages of Alchemia) for the total amount of nearly 370 million euros. www.torus.pl

ERGO Technology & Services S.A. (ET&S) has been operating in Poland under one trade name since January 2021. It was established upon the integration of ERGO Digital IT and Atena, embracing the knowledge and competences of IT experts of diverse expertise. The company has its offices in Warsaw, Sopot, Gdańsk, Olsztyn, and Berlin. It provides its 1000-employee strong team with international opportunities for growth, knowledge exchange, and multicultural working environment. www.ets.ergo.com