From the Elbe to the Alster: Allen & Overy moves into new offices in Hamburg

The listed building on the Ballindamm embankment was designed and built in the early 20th century by celebrated architects Lundt & Kallmorgen for the shipping company A.C. de Freitas. With its historic façade and the four-metre high group of statues entitled "Mining, Trade, Industry", the Ballinhof building is one of the finest examples of Hamburg's classic trading house architecture. Since 2019, the seven-story building has been undergoing complete renovation and revitalisation by Hamburg project developer QUEST Investment Partners.

"Since it was opened 20 years ago, our Hamburg office has grown significantly in line with our firm's success in Germany, and we have now secured a new, highly attractive working environment for our staff in one of Hamburg's prime locations. For us, selecting the new offices at this absolutely prime location is a manifestation of our commitment to Hamburg itself, one of the world's primary trading and economic centres and thus a significant site for providing commercial legal advice in Germany. We very much look forward to welcoming our clients to our new offices in the Ballinhof complex," explained Dr Wolf Bussian, Managing Partner for Allen & Overy Germany.

For Allen & Overy, relocating its Hamburg offices from the Kehrwieder island on the River Elbe to the Inner Alster Lake is the first relocation project worldwide since the beginning of the Covid 19 crisis. "Hamburg is a pioneer across our international network," added Dr Christian Hilmes, partner and real estate specialist at Allen & Overy in Hamburg. "Having signed the lease agreement, we will now concentrate on state-of-the-art furnishings and equipment, working with our partners and staff to develop an office design that is both innovative and sustainable."

Allen & Overy received advice and support on this relocation project from Jones Lang Lasalle.