noack volker

»It is an art to constantly respond to change
while remaining authentic.«
... in 45 seconds
Sister companies in the
U.S. and Canada
3,500,000,000
Business Areas:
Shopping Centers
Office Buildings
Traffic Properties
– the current construction and planning volume
ECE has five decades of experience in the planning, realization, leasing, and management of shopping centers. The company successfully transferred this expertise to the
development of office buildings, company headquarters, hotels, residential projects,
logistics centers and traffic properties. ECE stands out with a long-term and sustainable
development and management approach of real estate properties.
about
200
Centers under
management
3,500
Logistics Centers
Residential Projects
20,000
Shops in ECE centers
Other Projects
Project Development
Refurbishment
Architecture and
Urban Development
Project Management
Leasing of Retail Properties
Leasing of Office Properties
Center Management
Facility Management
Asset Management
Financing
The Otto family as investors
50
Years
of Shopping Center Expertise
Ozan Canbolat describes what ECE has
learned about shopping center management in 50 years on page 8
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Employees
almost
Hotels
Competences:
Euro
Family Company
100 %
99.2 %
Werner Otto founded ECE as an independent affiliated company of
his Otto Versand in 1965. Since 2000, his youngest son Alexander has
been at the helm of the company and made it the European market
leader in the field of inner-city shopping centers. The company‘s values
and its culture reflect that ECE is a family-owned and family-managed
company.
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countries
Austria
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Denmark
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Italy
Lithuania
Poland
Qatar
Poland
Russia
Qatar
Switzerland
Russia
Slovakia
Switzerland
Spain
Slovakia
Turkey
Spain
Turkey
Average occupancy rate of all ECE centers
A long-term occupancy rate of almost 100% of our German centers
shows that we do not only create popular visitor magnets. It shows
that our tenant partners are very happy about their collaboration
with ECE. This, in turn, results in happy investors and shareholders.
4,300,000 5
visitors at ECE centers every day
Unparalleled footfall for a successful
retail business – a sound argument for
tenants, says Dr. Henning Kreke, CEO of
the Douglas Holding, on page 12
large railway station projects have
been managed by ECE so far
This requires a great deal of expertise –
says the CEO of ÖBB, Christian Kern.
More on page 18
36.4
%
of ECE‘s executives are women
Men can also become Center Managers
at ECE, of course. However, Anne
Klausmann‘s career at ECE is a typical
one. More on page 30
252,656
m2
of space at six centers has been managed
successfully for Union Investment
For investors with a long-term view, ECE
is a top address, says Volker Noack, CEO
of Union Investment Real Estate,
on page 26
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sustainability certificates
... have been awarded to ECE by
Dr. Lemaitre of DGNB. She will tell more
on page 32
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»We create the urban
marketplaces of the future.«
3,500
dedicated employees
work for ECE
Alexander Otto does not have much time to relax. To the CEO of ECE, the Inner Alster Lake is a special place, because
he can enjoy both dimensions of his work here. On one side, there is Europa Passage at Ballindamm which has been
managed by ECE since 2008. Immediately adjacent is the famous Jungfernstieg which was redeveloped by “Lebendige
Stadt” Foundation which was established by Alexander Otto. Giving something back to the people is a part of the Otto
family‘s DNA and ties in with the Hanseatic tradition of Hamburg, Alexander Otto‘s hometown, which is also the location
of ECE‘s head office.
50 years ago, mail order pioneer Werner Otto founded ECE – he initially aimed for the company to enable his mail
order company to concentrate on its core business instead on real estate matters. Werner Otto brought the concept of
shopping centers from the U.S. to Germany in the 1960s. After establishing the first so-called Gemeinschaftswarenhäuser (a special type of department store), the first “real” shopping
centers opened in 1969/1970 in which retailers offered their
products in their own shops with their respective individual
design. In later years, commercial properties such as offices,
company headquarters, logistics centers, railway stations,
hotels and residential properties followed. After the fall
of the Berlin wall, ECE laid the foundations to become an
international player. Today, the company is the European leader in the field of inner-city shopping centers.
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Alexander Otto,
Chief Executive Officer of ECE, on
the Inner Alster Lake in Hamburg
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Ozan Canbolat,
Center Manager of Marmara Park,
on the Mısır Çarşısı, Istanbul
»Traditionally
professional.«
Ozan Canbolat buys spices on the Mısır Çarşısı, the oldest and most popular bazaar of Istanbul. “I can find the biggest choice
of products here. If one trader does not sell what I‘m looking for, I just move on to the next stand. There, I usually find the product
I‘m looking for,” says the ECE Center Manager. He enjoys the ambiance and the historical spirit of the place. Already 500 years ago,
there were bazaars in Istanbul where traders offered selected goods from all over the world. Even in earlier times, the people who
managed these places thrived to smoothly run the place which was visited by many thousand people every day. “As Center Manager
of ECE, I honor this tradition. We are professionals who are truly dedicated to our work in order to meet the quality requirements of
ECE,” he says. Of this, he is very proud.
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50
years of shopping center
expertise
From decades of experience, ECE knows what is required to
manage a shopping center: a good branch and tenant mix, appealing advertising campaigns and exiting events. ECE Center
Managers are responsible for up to 250 retailers and therefore
need a high degree of organizational talent and entrepreneurial
spirit. They learn their business at the company‘s own Center
Manager Academy – and through practical experience.
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about
80
Kerstin Harms-Sudarma,
ECE architect,
at the Hamburger Kunsthalle
centers are ECE‘s own
developments
»They are all unique.«
Marc Blum,
ECE architect,
at the Hamburger
Kunsthalle
Each unique work of art requires a great deal of work. Because of their own experience, Marc Blum and Kerstin HarmsSudarma show great respect for art. But they are not painters or sculptors – they are architects who design shopping centers for ECE and they know what it takes to create unique works of art. “We use new and different architectural styles time
and again to create a unique character for every shopping center,” says Marc Blum. “Creating uniqueness is the trademark
of the internationally active ECE. Every property is special and has different requirements,” adds Kerstin Harms-Sudarma.
Where do you get your inspiration? “We are mostly inspired by the environment, the history, or the local people,” says Marc
Blum. Sometimes we are inspired by the unexpected, for example by a unique work of art.
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Architecture has an impact on the well-being of people. The length of stay
in a shopping center is an important unique selling point in contrast to the
impersonal e-commerce. Therefore, it is important to ECE to give its shopping
centers an aesthetic and unique design. In doing so, the company considers local
influences and expectations. ECE furthermore attaches great importance to the
integration of its inner-city shopping centers into the urban environment. Many
properties have received awards and are architectural highlights of the cities.
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Dr. Henning Kreke,
CEO of DOUGLAS HOLDING AG,
in the Douglas store at
Alstertal-Einkaufszentrum,
Hamburg
4.3
million
visitors come to ECE shopping
centers across Europe every day
»A big stage for big brands.«
Already today, Douglas is market leader in Europe. CEO
Dr. Henning Kreke, however, wants the company to keep growing.
There are more than 1,200 Douglas perfume stores all over the
world. New branches are planned to be opened soon. A crucial
component of the expansion strategy: the right ambiance. ”We
prefer prime locations for our perfume stores. They should have
style and the highest quality as it can be found at ECE shopping
centers,” says Dr. Henning Kreke. The Douglas CEO was especially
convinced by the high footfall and the professional center management. Thus, it comes to no surprise that more than 100 Douglas
perfume stores can be found in ECE shopping centers. Will there
be more in the future? Dr. Henning Kreke: “Yes, of course.“
ECE has an outstanding reputation. ECE is a fair lessor;
its professionally managed shopping centers are located at
premium locations. Retailers especially value the modern
infrastructure, the vivid ambiance, and the high footfall.
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almost
20,000
shops at ECE shopping centers
»A perfect fit.«
Kim Gögge,
retailer at AlstertalEinkaufszentrum,
Hamburg
She cannot help it. As soon as a man enters her shop, Kim Gögge wants to find the
perfect clothes for him! The men‘s clothier takes measurements and puts together an
ensemble that fits perfectly to her customer. “I need time for advising the customer
but the result is a timeless outfit,” she says. Her husband opened the shop at AlstertalEinkaufszentrum (AEZ) Hamburg more than 40 years ago. She can concentrate extensively on her customers. Among others, this is the courtesy of ECE who takes a lot of
worries off her. “Sales promotion, footfall, a stylish ambiance, fair rents – what else can
you wish for?” the shop owner wonders. Then something does come to her mind: “I
would like the next 40 years to be just as good.”
ECE is the partner for retailers as the company offers a performance-oriented
rent system that is based on the profitability of each branch. Another advantage:
premium locations, a high quality of stay, premium service and exciting events
make thousands of customers visit the ECE shopping centers every day. Tenants
appreciate this concept.
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15
»Trust casts long shadows.«
about
1,000
new jobs are created on average by
building a new shopping center
Prof. Dr. Joachim Hofmann-Göttig,
Mayor of Koblenz, talking to
Yvonne Paßgang, ECE Project Manager,
on Zentralplatz Koblenz
These two trust and appreciate one another: “He always replied to my e-mails personally,” says Yvonne Paßgang of ECE.
“She is ECE‘s secret weapon,” says the Mayor of Koblenz, Prof. Dr. Joachim Hofmann-Göttig. Together they arranged for the
restructuring of Zentralplatz Koblenz by building “Forum Mittelrhein” shopping center with its stunning architecture and
“Forum Confluentes” cultural center. “The square was a true disgrace. Today, it is a modern, vivid place which enriches Koblenz
culturally and economically,” says the Mayor. They are both convinced that without their sense of partnership it would not have
been possible to realize this major project. ECE already had a good reputation as a partner in Koblenz. The company had been
operating the neighboring Löhr-Center for 30 years.
ECE has always been working together with decision makers of cities and municipalities in a spirit of trust and partnership. The results of this cooperation are urban projects which stimulate the local economy in the long term. ECE shopping
centers are visitor magnets which revive the inner-city retail trade and strengthen the cities in their competition with other
cities. At the same time, the related investments support the local construction industry and the trades. Furthermore, 1,000
sustainable jobs and apprentice positions are created in every new center.
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large railway station projects
have been managed by ECE
so far
Christian Kern,
CEO of Austrian Railways (ÖBB),
at Vienna Central Station
»Setting a course
for the future.«
Christian Kern is planning a major project: In his vision, the CEO of Austrian Railways (ÖBB) sees Vienna
become the hub for the entire railway traffic in Europe. “The new Central Station connects the major railway
routes which meet in Vienna,” he says. The people of Vienna will also benefit. With the help of ECE, a big downtown shopping center was created in a premium location in a property with a high footfall: “BahnhofCity Wien
Hauptbahnhof”. It was a huge refurbishment project which equaled open-heart surgery: During the construction period, the railway traffic on one of Vienna‘s most important routes went on undisturbed. But it was worth
the effort, says the CEO of ÖBB: “It is our aim to enthuse more people to use trains. To do this, you must offer an
appealing ambience. We achieved this with the help of a strong partner – ECE.“
Today, modern railway stations and airports are more than just traffic hubs. They are places to stay, relax,
and meet people. Places like these need diverse shopping options, service providers, and a range of vivid restaurants. Being European market leader, ECE benefits from years of experience and expertise when integrating
inner-city shopping centers into large traffic properties and operating them efficiently. Today, Leipzig Central
Station, which was revitalized by ECE, is one of the most appealing and popular railway stations in Europe.
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935,000
m2
of office space have been developed by ECE
»An easy principle:
working with the best.«
Klaus Baumann,
CEO of Philips GmbH and
Head of Finance Philips DACH,
at the new company
headquarters in Hamburg
Klaus Baumann, Head of Finance Philips DACH, has to make complex and sometimes difficult decisions. The CFO especially values criteria such as reliability, transparency, and contractual fidelity. However, it was easy for him to lay the construction of the German headquarters of
Philips into the hands of ECE once more. “ECE is a very professional partner and we have unlimited trust in its expertise,” says Klaus Baumann. Philips‘ experience with ECE was outstanding
when the company constructed the previous headquarters building. The process comprised the
search for a location, the project development, the project management, the general planning,
and the selling of the property to a suitable investor. Klaus Baumann‘s reasons for the decision
were very simple: “We prefer to work with the best in the business.”
ECE has been developing and realizing office properties for more than 40 years offering
the full service from design to key handover. If requested by the client, ECE will take over the
investment risk and suggest attractive leasing models. Furthermore, the company refurbishes portfolio properties and leases office space.
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1,493
hotel rooms were realized by ECE until 2015
»Reliable and relaxed –
that‘s the hotel business.«
Dieter Müller is a courageous man who likes to take the lead and try new ways. This very pioneer spirit helped him to
succeed as hotelier and owner of Motel One Group. His recipe for success: premium locations, the latest design, high
quality, and focusing on the essential – and all this at an attractive price. Dieter Müller was one of the first in the industry
who implemented this concept in Germany. Meanwhile, he has been expanding to neighboring countries in Europe.
But he is not the boisterous type: He solely lays the construction of his hotels into the hands of professionals with an
outstanding reputation. The newest and largest Motel One with a height of 50 meters and 530 rooms was constructed
by ECE. “The collaboration with ECE is particularly enjoyable because of the company‘s professionalism. Therefore, you
are assured that everything will work out fine,” says the businessman, leaning back relaxed.
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Dieter Müller,
CEO of Motel One,
at a Motel One in Munich
ECE has been developing, planning, and realizing
large commercial properties, among them modern
hotels in premium locations, for example at the BahnhofCity Vienna West, HafenCity Hamburg, AltmarktGalerie Dresden, or at the new airport in Berlin.
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billion €
– the annual turnover at ECE
centers
»My piece of the cake.«
“What can I do for you?” asks the confectioner. “I‘d like a piece of the Sacher cake,”
Ute Naumann replies. This treat is the highlight of her successful shopping tour at AltmarktGalerie in Dresden. Today, she finally found what she had been looking for for a long
time: a nice handbag which suits any outfit. Once in a while, the bank clerk treats herself
to something special. She can enjoy this wholeheartedly, because she is shareholder of
Deutsche EuroShop AG and thus indirectly owns a share of the stable and projectable
cash flow of shopping centers across Europe. Thus, she owns a “piece” of Altmarkt-Galerie.
“I have shopped at my own center, so to speak,” Ute Naumann says smiling.
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Ute Naumann,
shareholder of Deutsche EuroShop AG,
at Altmarkt-Galerie, Dresden
Deutsche EuroShop AG is the only
listed company in Germany which
exclusively invests in shopping centers
in premium locations. With its expertise
as investor, the company entrusts the
management and the regular refurbishment of its shopping centers to ECE.
Both companies have been collaborating in a trustful and cooperative
manner for 10 years. The successful,
conservative strategy of the company,
an experienced management, and a
shareholder-friendly dividend policy
provide a profitable basis with added
value to the shareholders.
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252,656
m2
of space has been managed successfully for
Union Investment in six centers
»Investment with
a long-term view.«
Volker Noack,
Member of the Management Board of
Union Investment Real Estate GmbH
“Thinking and acting with a vision is crucial to my job,” says Volker Noack, CEO of Union Investment Real Estate. “Only the one who sees long-term trends or keeps an eye on the lifecycle of a property and its costs can hold their ground in the market,” Noack adds. And success proves him right.
This is shown, for example, by the six shopping centers which are owned by Union Investment and
which are managed and partly developed by ECE. One of them, “Limbecker Platz” in Essen, was even
awarded as one of the best shopping centers in Europe in 2014.
Due to its professional management and the diverse tenant structure, shopping centers
are considered a safe investment with a long-term perspective. Therefore, they are very
popular among major investors such as Union Investment, insurances, pension funds, or
publicly offered funds, which cooperate with ECE. The Otto family, the owners of ECE, often
invests in many projects themselves and keeps them in their portfolio because they are also
convinced of their long-term success.
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27
25
%
turnover increase in the first year
following the refurbishment of
Hamburger Meile
»Old is the new new.«
Andreas Heibrock,
Member of the Management Board
at Real I.S., at Hamburger Meile
If the architecture of a building looks modern, innovative, and fresh, it is not necessarily a new building:
Andreas Heibrock, CEO of Real I.S., knows that a complete refurbishment can turn a non-performing property into
a thrilling and exciting property. Hamburger Meile, for example: Real I.S. bought the shopping center a few years
ago, after ECE had left no stone upon another in this shopping center „oldie“: A spectacular interior design and
new ideas helped to increase the turnover and the footfall rapidly since the center‘s re-opening. Heibrock knows:
“Refurbishment is a profitable business.”
Centers that have become of age become visitor magnets again. Many have the potential. Very often they
lack of a strategic and tailored modernization. ECE is the perfect partner for projects like these: Its teams, consisting of center managers, project developers, architects, leasing managers as well as marketing and financial experts, provide the necessary skills to design new concepts with a sense of proportion. They convert old shopping
centers into new best-practice projects. Owners and investors across Europe value this expertise.
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»37,000 m² of space, 30,000 visitors,
130 tenants, 16 members of staff –
and a female boss.«
36.4
%
of all executives at ECE
are women
Anne Klausmann,
Center Manager of Ettlinger Tor,
Karlsruhe
Ettlinger Tor, the vibrant shopping magnet in Karlsruhe, is Anne Klausmann‘s “realm”.
To the 37-year old Center Manager, this is a dream come true. “I had to work hard to achieve
this. However, you also need people who support you,” says the Center Manager with a
degree in Business Administration. Finding these is not hard: ECE specifically promotes the
careers of women. “Shortly after I had finished my traineeship, ECE offered me to supervise
the market entry of Stadtgalerie Heilbronn,” she explains. Thus, the young woman became
a manager – and one of the youngest center managers at ECE so far, aged 26.
ECE promotes the careers of women. The company specifically prepares trainees
to take over executive tasks. At the same time, the company helps to improve the
work-life balance by providing a parent-child office, home office equipment, or family
services. And these efforts have proved their value. Not only was ECE voted one of the
most popular employers in the sector in a survey by Immobilien-Zeitung magazine. The
company has been regarded as an attractive employer for women with career ambitions.
Almost half of all Center Manager positions are held by women already today.
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19
DGNB sustainability certificates
were awarded to ECE by 2015
»I certainly hang on
to quality!«
“Being able to shape the future today with my work has always been a
matter of heart,” says Dr. Christine Lemaitre. This has not changed until today.
The considerate and responsible use of natural resources has left its mark on
her work as a construction engineer: “Buildings should put the smallest possible
burden on the environment from their construction to their demolition,” she
demands. The Chief Executive Officer of the German Sustainable Building
Council (DGNB) tirelessly promotes this goal in the industry. Her argument:
DGNB certificates which clearly state the value of a property. They show the
degree (in percent) to which the builders comply with the sustainability criteria.
“ECE has demonstrated a great commitment in this respect,” she says full of
praise. The company has delivered best results time and again.
Dr. Christine Lemaitre,
Chief Executive Officer of the
German Sustainable Building
Council (DGNB)
The construction and real estate industry can contribute greatly to
a sustainable future. In order to keep the burden on the environment as
little as possible, the industry must learn to use resources as efficiently
as possible. ECE has taken on this challenge. The company has become
a sustainability pioneer: 19 DGNB certificates are an impressive proof of
this. It also supports the design of a certificate for existing properties by
DGNB in a pilot project. Furthermore, ECE has started the certification
process of existing centers with the British certification system BREEAM
and successfully concluded it at a number of shopping centers.
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SHOPPING | 33
Edina Müller,
professional basketball player and
member of the German national
team, at Volksbank Arena
86
projects are supported by
Alexander Otto Sports Foundation
»The biggest success is
if everyone wins.«
The final whistle sounds. The German team has won the wheelchair basketball
final at the Paralympics in London 2012. “Winning the gold medal – I still have goose
bumps when I think of this moment,” says national team member Edina Müller.
National team players like her need excellent training conditions to make sure they
win with great accuracy. And they have great training facilities at their disposal, for
example at Volksbank Arena Hamburg, an arena for ball and winter sports which was
funded by the Alexander Otto Sports Foundation. In addition, the Foundation presents the Werner Otto Award to sports projects which support people with physical
challenges; it could also convince Edina Müller to become a member of the jury which
selects the winners. Edina Müller and the Foundation share a common idea: Success
means giving back something to society.
Alexander Otto, CEO of ECE initiated the Alexander Otto Sports Foundation
in 2006. The Foundation aims to strengthen sports in Hamburg in the long term.
Its foremost objective is to enthuse young people about sports and to integrate
people with physical challenges into society. Thus, besides awarding the Werner
Otto Award and the construction of an ice and ball sports arena in Hamburg,
the Foundation initiated a large number of best-practice projects from amateur,
school, professional, and disabled sports.
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»The future in sight.«
2025:
Jürgen (52) und Natalie (16)
at Milaneo, Stuttgart
2.7
“Ten years ago, I would have never thought that a shopping center
can be so innovative,” says an astonished Jürgen (52), a customer of ECE‘s
Milaneo shopping center in Stuttgart in 2025. A perfect service and quick
information when shopping have always been on the wish-list of the
self-employed architect – this has become true at ECE centers now. Even
Natalie (16), a student and “digital native”, is impressed: “Shopping for cool
gadgets using a touch screen and directly picking them up in the store is
great – there‘s nothing left to wish for here!”
million
Facebook fans followed
ECE centers online in 2014
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The old saying “trade is change” has been deeply rooted at ECE.
Not only online shoppers should benefit from the advantages of the
online world. ECE has been testing many services at its so-called “Future
Labs” which can make the shopping experience even more attractive:
physically or digitally, interactive or convenient, brand new or classical.
Regular surveys and studies help to keep track with the consumer and
their changing needs. Always in sight: the future of shopping and the
well-being of customers.
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1
4
4 5
6 7 8
9 10 11
12 13 1 Arkády Pankrác, Prague
2 Altmarkt-Galerie, Dresden
3 Rathaus-Galerie, Leverkusen
2
Europa-Galerie, Saarbrücken
Rhein-Galerie, Ludwigshafen
Promenaden Central Station, Leipzig
Skyline Plaza, Frankfurt/Main
Schloss-Arkaden, Brunswick
Limbecker Platz, Essen
Ettlinger Tor, Karlsruhe
Europa-Galerie, Saarbrücken
BahnhofCity Wien West, Vienna
Thier-Galerie, Dortmund
11
5
The marketplaces
of the city
6
12
7
7
3
13
8
8
9
10
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39
1
3
4
Centers of the economy
7
1
2
3
4
40
Intelligent Quarters, Hamburg
Hermes Zentral-HUB, Friedewald (Hessen)
Kap Europa, Frankfurt/Main
Volksbank Arena, Hamburg
6
5
2
5 6 7
8
8
Milaneo, Stuttgart
Milaneo, Stuttgart
ThyssenKrupp Quartier, Essen
Motel One, Vienna
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Credits
ECE Projektmanagement G.m.b.H. & Co. KG
Heegbarg 30
22391 Hamburg
Phone: +49 40 60606-0
Fax: +49 40 60606-6230
E-Mail: info@ece.com
www.ece.com
Management Board:
Alexander Otto (CEO)
Joanna Fisher
Dr. Lothar Kappich
Henrie W. Kötter
Markus Lentzler
Dr. Andreas Mattner
Claudia Plath
Klaus Striebich
Responsible for this publication at ECE:
Christian Stamerjohanns (Person responsible
according to the German Press Law)
Sven Könnecke
Concept and realization
GUMMIG
www.gummig.de
Photos: Axel Martens
Image processing: Esther Gummig
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