- ABB to invest approximately CHF 80 million in new ABB Group headquarters
- Blend of heritage and contemporary buildings will offer ABB employees attractive and modern workspaces
- Detailed architectual design plans to be developed in 2026/2027; move-in scheduled for 2031
ABB today announced plans to establish a new global headquarters at its heritage site in Zurich Oerlikon. The building project is estimated at approximately CHF 80 million, subject to the final construction costs. The investment reflects ABB’s strong commitment to the City of Zurich and the company’s ambition to create a modern, future-ready workplace for its around 500 Zurich-based employees.
The new headquarters will consist of an existing historic building and a new extension, based on a design concept by the renowned architectural firm Christ & Gantenbein, which has extensive experience in renovating listed objects. The iconic ABB Historic Building, which is currently leased out, will be fully renovated and modernized in compliance with heritage protection requirements, ensuring its character is preserved while adapting it for contemporary use. Beyond enabling ABB to use the building itself, the reuse and upgrading of the existing structure was a key factor in terms of sustainability.
The Historic Building will be complemented by a new six-story building in the inner courtyard, replacing the so-called Chicago Hall event venue which is not listed as a protected site. The brick façade of the extension will continue the materiality of the existing building, while the construction method for the extension uses a contemporary, material-efficient wood composite construction. Together with intelligent technical solutions from ABB, the aim is to achieve a low energy level supported by photovoltaic power generation.
New ABB Headquarters building. Image Credit Christ & Gantenbein 
ABB Historic Building will be fully renovated and modernized. Image Credit Christ & Gantenbein 
New ABB Headquarters building. Image Credit Christ & Gantenbein
The new headquarters will feature a gross floor area of around 10,800 square meters. Key amenities will include a 200 square meters lounge and cafeteria, a 280 square meters lobby and exhibition area, a 450 square meters auditorium and media space, and an 80 square meters wellbeing area with a fitness center. It will be home to employees from both ABB corporate functions as well as its business areas and divisions.
“By investing in this unique and central site, we are honoring our history while building for the future,” said Morten Wierod, CEO of ABB. “This project also underlines ABB’s strong commitment to Switzerland and the City of Zurich, where our global headquarters has been located since the merger of BBC and Asea in 1988 and where one of our predecessor companies, Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon (MFO), was based for many decades. The combination of a historic building and state-of-the-art facilities will provide an inspiring environment for collaboration and innovation.”
“I am delighted with ABB’s decision to continue investing in our city. ABB’s history is closely intertwined with Zurich’s industrial past. With this commitment to Zurich as a location, that shared history is being carried forward into the future,” said Corine Mauch, Mayor of Zurich. “In the coming years, an even more colorful and vibrant district for work, living and leisure will emerge north of Oerlikon railway station, shaped by a mix of historic industrial buildings, modern structures and green and recreational spaces. ABB’s contribution and the strong collaboration with ABB are key drivers of this forward-looking development.”
Planning for the headquarters project will take place over the next years, with detailed design expected in 2026/2027 and construction starting thereafter. ABB plans to move into the new headquarters in 2031. Until the new facilities are ready, ABB will continue to operate from its current and nearby Cityport building in Zurich Oerlikon, where ABB has a leasing contract until 2031.
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
