Four unions move together in newly built, certified shared office space
The four trade unions Blik- & Rørarbejderforbundet, Dansk El-Forbund, Dansk Journalistforbund – Medier & Kommunikation and Malerforbundet i Danmark have joined forces to build a new joint headquarter to ensure a modern and up-to-date framework for the administration of the unions. Mads Lauritzen, CEO of MT Højgaard Property Development, says:
“We have developed and are currently constructing the Association House, which will be approximately 10,000 m2 in total and will be built according to sustainable and energy-friendly standards. It will be certified with DGNB Gold and DGNB Heart, and the four unions have also secured a number of labour and apprentice clauses that make the construction site one of the most well-regulated in Denmark in the private sector.”
He continues: “We are very much looking forward to constructing and handing over a state-of-the-art and certified office building to the federations in 2026, which can support both their joint synergies and autonomy at the same time. For MT Højgaard Property Development, the construction will be the culmination of years of development and presence in Sydhavnen, which we are proud of.”
Super nice shared office space
Flemming Buhl, Head of Capital Markets and partner at EDC Erhverv Poul Erik Bech, says: “We are very pleased to have assisted MT Højgaard Property Development with the sale of this beautiful and modern office community. Initially, our task was to find one or more investors who wanted to buy the entire building. But then the four trade unions came on board, which is an excellent solution for all parties, and there is still some excess space if other unions are interested in the community.”
Thor Heltborg, Director, Group Customers, EDC Erhverv Poul Erik Bech, adds: “We have many exciting office cases at the moment in Greater Copenhagen, and it’s great that the sale of Forbundshuset has been finalized. We have four large office properties to let and at least one more on the way, so there’s a lot going on in the office market in Copenhagen and the surrounding municipalities. The vacancy rate is still relatively low, and what’s really moving the market is new, state-of-the-art, certified office space, preferably shared offices. For Forbundshuset and the projects we have on the shelves, location is extremely important, as companies want to give their employees great office space close to a metro station. There’s a competition for labour, so it’s definitely also a way to attract new and retain existing employees.”
In addition to the four trade unions, the two unemployment funds FAK, AJKS and the company Fagenes Bofællesskab (FAB) will also move in. The four unions have each purchased a percentage of the shares in the new property company. The Danish Union of Journalists and the Danish Electrical Workers’ Union with 24.5%, the Plumbers’ and Pipefitters’ Union and the Painters’ Union with 17%. In addition, MT Højgaard Property Development owns 17%. There are still vacant m2 in the building, and it is the unions’ hope that other unions will want to become part of Forbundshuset.