MLP Business
Park Schalke

Not far from the Veltins Arena – in the heart of Schalke – the MLP Business Park Schalke will be established.

The modern business park arises on the approx. 120,000 sqm site of the former Thyssen wire works on Kurt-Schumacher-Straße.

It offers more than 60,000 sqm of rental space, distributed over 5 buildings. Flexible rental units can be divided from a size of 495 sqm to 30,000 sqm.

With an innovative, sustainable concept that holds great potential for a high number of new jobs in a wide range of industries, and high-quality architecture, MLP Group and the City of Gelsenkirchen aim to create a new future for a traditional site in the Schalke district.

60,000 sqm

Rental space (incl. office and social areas)

495 sqm

Area divisible from

Q4 2024

Handover of first areas
Site & Region - Featured image

Site & Region

Gelsenkirchen

The MLP Business Park Schalke impresses with its central location in the middle of the Ruhr conurbation, one of the most important economic areas in Europe. From here, around five million people can be reached within half an hour – and around 30 million within just two hours.

This is ensured by the excellent transport links with ten connections to four highways. There are four airports within a radius of 100 km. In addition, Gelsenkirchen has the busiest public canal port on the Rhine-Herne Canal.

More than 3,300 companies from 27 different industries develop, manufacture and refine products in Gelsenkirchen as a business location. Thus, the Schalke-Nord district has been shaped by industry since the 19th century.

Leisure, sports and entertainment are also very important in Gelsenkirchen: the well-known soccer club FC Schalke 04 was founded here in 1904. The ARENA PARK Gelsenkirchen, located in the direct vicinity of MLP Business Park Schalke, is one of the main attractions in the Ruhr region. The area around the Veltins Arena, home ground of FC Schalke 04, attracts more than three million visitors every year.

MLP Group - Featured image

MLP Group

in Gelsenkirchen

A future for a plot steeped in tradition: the MLP Group has recognized the potential of the plot, where goods have been produced and distributed since the mid-19th century, and is planning to revitalize the now underused former Thyssen-Draht site to create a modern, sustainable business park.

Promoting Gelsenkirchen as a business location: Geared to the requirements of a broad mix of users, the MLP Business Park Schalke is attractive for the local economy and national companies. It creates jobs, apprenticeships and generates trade income tax revenue.

Ecologically and socially sustainable: The sustainability concept for the development of the MLP Business Park Schalke focuses on both ecological aspects, such as the efficient use of resources, and sociological aspects, such as the creation of a healthy and attractive workplace.

Positive contribution to urban development: The MLP Business Park complies with the IEK Schalke-Nord and contributes to the upgrading of the district. In a joint agreement with the City of Gelsenkirchen, requirements and intentions for the development were set out in binding form.

Specifications

  • Impressive concept
  • Modular space for flexible and small-scale leasing, divisible from 495 sqm to 30,000 sqm
  • Geared to the needs of a broad user mix
  • Special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): industrial space for local service and craft businesses in the East
  • High quality architecture: architecturally exposed and modern office space, attractive facade elements, facade greening
  • Ecologically sustainable: photovoltaic system, green roofs and facades for efficient use of resources and sustainable heat generation
  • Healthy and attractive workplace through well-being elements: landscaped outdoor areas with fitness and meeting zones for resident employees

Plan & Layout

Renderings

Timeline

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the MLP Group’s plans for the site of the former Thyssen wire plant?

In Schalke, the MLP Group plans to revitalize the derelict site of the former Thyssen wire plant to erect a modern, sustainable multi-user business park.

This will comprise approximately 60,000 m² of flexibly usable industrial space and appropriate office and social areas, divided into five buildings with flexibly divisible units from 495 m² to 30,000 m². To enable the settlement of a broad mix of users, halls 1-5 will be let to a minimum of two users. In addition, small-scale business units are planned for the eastern part of the plot, which will be geared in particular to the requirements of local service and craft businesses.

Aesthetics and functionality are to play a central role in the design of the office and administration spaces. For instance, an artist competition will be held for an appealing facade design that establishes a regional or local connection. As part of the “well being” concept, precautions will be taken to provide healthy and attractive workplaces. Future tenants will have the opportunity to actively participate in the design of the office space, which is conceptualized as open space. In the eastern part of the area, there will be a fitness and meeting zone for resident employees.

How space-efficient is MLP Group's construction?

The economical use of land and soil is one of MLP Group’s planning goals. Within the scope of the development, it aims to seal as little land as possible and make optimal use of the area through flexible floor plans. The integrated office and administration buildings will consist of two levels.

When will the facility go into operation? When will all construction work be completed?

MLP Group aims to hand over the first units at the end of 2024/beginning of 2025, with final construction works in the course of subsequent work to be completed in Q3 2025.

After that, full use can start. Yet, the detailed schedule is dependent on the development plan procedure conducted by the municipal urban land use planning department.

What are the project’s benefits?

The amenities of the MLP Business Park Schalke are:

  • Flexible, small-scale space
  • Generous office space
  • Recreation and lounge areas for employees
  • Bicycle parking and e-charging stations for motorized private transport and bicycle
  • Green areas and renaturation
  • Considerable number of gates at ground level
  • Traffic guidance
Is it possible for large logistics hubs (as operated by Amazon) to settle at the site?

Large logistics hubs are generally built on usable areas of 100,000 m² or above. Currently, the leasing strategy also does not envisage seeking specific users – such as DHL or Amazon – for the tenant mix. In accordance with the implementation agreement between MLP Group and the City of Gelsenkirchen, letter and parcel distribution centers, stand-alone warehouses and storage yards have also been excluded. Exclusion established in the implementation agreement for the following uses:

  • letter and parcel distribution centers
  • stand-alone warehouses and storage yards
  • local supply and center-relevant retail
  • carrier
  • other uses in accordance with the stipulations (vBP)
Will the MLP Business Park Schalke lead to an increase in traffic?

It is true that the reactivation of the site will lead to an increase in traffic volume (compared to the current situation), which is why the MLP Group regards itself responsible for mitigating the negative impact on the surrounding area. To route truck traffic via the eastern feeder roads, a traffic and mobility concept was developed. Result: traffic can be efficiently handled via the northern bypass.

How will the emerging traffic be diverted in the future?

A traffic concept has already been drawn up for this. Commercial and logistics traffic is primarily diverted to the north and east via the AS17, via two connections to the adjacent Hochkampstraße with a connection to Alfred-Zingler-Straße leading away. Only delivery vehicles up to 3.5 t are allowed to access the commercial area via Kurt-Schumacher-Straße.

Due to the favorable location of the site, the A42 motorway to the north is directly reachable via Alfred-Zingler-Straße, so that Gelsenkirchen’s city center is not burdened by truck traffic. Employees and commercial parties will be able to access the site via Hochkampstraße/Kurt-Schumacher-Straße.

How will MLP Group avoid excessive traffic congestion and hazards on Hochkampstraße?

In order to avoid traffic congestion and hazards, the traffic concept of the MLP Group includes a limitation and control of traffic. This means that the property may only be entered via the driveway, while exits are separate. Structural measures such as appropriate signage and anchoring the requirements in the house rules ensure compliance with the regulations.

Measures to strengthen up the streets as well as road signs on Hochkampstraße are in the developer’s interest, but lie with the district of Gelsenkirchen-Mitte.

What is being done for bicycle traffic?

As part of the preliminary planning, MLP Group has designed a route network for bicycle traffic to connect the property to the surrounding area.

Starting from the south side, a cycle path separated from the road is planned from the east to the west, leading into Kurt-Schumacher-Straße. Bicycle parking, including for cargo bikes, and e-charging stations are included. For bicycle traffic, the area is to be accessed from the west.

Will e-mobility facilities be built in the area? And to what extent?

Yes, sufficient loading facilities for e-cars, electric transporters, e-scooters and e-(cargo) bikes are provided.

MLP Group will create a loading infrastructure for e-load trucks upon special request from tenants

What noise and air emissions can be expected from the increase in traffic?

The expected impact on the surrounding area has been recorded in the relevant expert reports. The business park is intended to be in harmony with the neighborhood. For this reason, MLP Group is taking comprehensive measures to reduce traffic noise. The corresponding expert reports serve as the basis for this. Result: The project complies with the quotas.

What measures will be in place to protect residents?

Necessary noise protection measures can be found in the immission control report. In the planning, an arrangement of the buildings as a courtyard situation (U-shape) was chosen in order to shield outgoing noise emissions. In addition, a low-noise open space and recreation area will be created in the southeast of the site – the southeast allotment gardens are under special protection.

Can some of the existing building stock be preserved?

No, revitalizing the site and reactivating it for the benefit of a modern, sustainable business park requires demolishing the entire old stock.

The existing buildings are contaminated and structurally in need of major renovation. The industrial buildings would not meet the functional, environmental or energy requirements of a modern real estate for commercial and logistics use.

Nevertheless, the preservation of the adjacent historical buildings, consisting of the Thyssen triple hall and the administration building (Amevida company headquarters), is taken into account in the development plan. The historically valuable buildings are to be protected.

What does the MLP Group do about dust and noise pollution during demolition work?

Concepts for the demolition and disposal of the existing buildings and for soil remediation are being developed in close cooperation with the relevant authorities. In addition, a construction site logistics concept including traffic diversion has been taken into account.

What sustainability measures will be implemented in the development of the business park?

The development of the MLP Business Park Schalke combines key elements of MLP Group’s sustainability strategy. The objective is based not only on ecological but also sociological aspects. The use of existing energy generation facilities and the best possible use of local capacities enable minimal intervention in the existing building stock, while contaminated sites are fully renovated and brownfield sites are revitalized. The modern construction method complies with the DGNB Gold standard and already takes into account the following aspects:

  • biological diversity and fostering of flora/fauna
  • sustainable, efficient energy generators
  • demand-oriented energy management
  • eco-efficient construction
  • greenhouse gas-reduced management
  • well-being and recreation areas for employees
Which building materials are primarily used for the new buildings?

The reusability of the building materials used is a priority in project planning and the choice of materials. Therefore, recycled building materials are predominantely used for the new building, which are also to be taken from the existing building stock.

Reusable materials include concrete and brick rubble, especially for the floor structure (statics). The use of wood (building statics) is examined under economic-ecological aspects.

What requirements should the buildings meet in terms of energy?

The photovoltaic systems on the roof areas are intended to ensure a green and energy self-sufficient power supply for the MLP Business Park Schalke. In addition, it is being examined whether photovoltaic-fed heat pumps can be used to heat the offices and recreation rooms.

How many square meters of photovoltaic system will be created on the roof surfaces?

The roof of the building to halls 1-3 along Hochkampstraße offers almost 30,000 m² of space for photovoltaics. The output and alignment of the systems will be determined as part of the construction documentation.

Is green roofing planned on the roof surfaces?

On the roof surface that is not covered with photovoltaic systems, in this case warehouses 2-5 (halls 4-8), green roof installations are planned.

A combination of photovoltaic systems and green roofs is currently being examined.

Is facade greening planned and are green areas projected on the site? If so, where and to what extent?

Yes, greening of the facade is planned for the benefit of a pleasant building climate. Parts of the north, west and south facades are to be greened. Green areas will be built according to the needs of nature/species protection and for retention basins (rainwater) where there are no common areas.

How can rainwater be drained on the highly sealed and largely overbuilt area?

Taking into account the drainage and soil expertise, it is planned to drain the precipitation water into infiltration systems. If the subsoil is not suitable for natural infiltration in some sections, the water is to be throttled and channelled through a drainage system into the Sellmannbach and only as a last alternative into the sewer system. The specifics of the drainage and further retention measures will be determined as part of the development plan process in consultation with the specialist authorities.

Will the building site be partially unsealed?

A subsoil and soil survey for the site has already been carried out. The remediation concept is currently being prepared. Unsealing and thus release of pollutants will only take place if necessary for hot-spot remediation in the building ground.

To what degree will the new development fit into the urban environment?

In the planning, care is taken to ensure that the new buildings are carefully integrated into the urban environment. Therefore, the warehouses with a height of 10.5 m in the eastern section do not exceed the protected Thyssen wire plant and, viewed from the residential development bordering Kurt-Schumacher-Straße to the east, do not appear as a disturbing factor in the east view axis. Only in the center of the new development do the warehouses rise to 14 m top edge.

The facade design of the new buildings should not detract from the spatial impact of the industrial monument. Consideration is also given to advertising space by keeping it to a minimum. These requirements are to be included as stipulations in the development plan.

What will happen to the dilapidated "alte Seilerei"?

The listed “alte Seilerei” is privately owned by third parties and is therefore not the property of the MLP Group, which is why the developer has no leverage here.

Will football/Schalke 04, which is important for Gelsenkirchen, be visible on the site?

The local roots of the Schalke 04 soccer club could be taken up in the design of the artist competition (for the design of the south side). Likewise, a sculpture on the site is conceivable, which symbolically depicts the history of the district.

What opportunities are there for citizens to participate in MLP Group’s planning?

Citizens have the opportunity to inspect the planning status of the development plan and to submit opinions, suggestions and criticism in writing during early citizen’s participation and during the second participation phase. If the City Council does not accept the written consideration of the issues presented by vote, the development plan documents will be revised and there will be another public display and consideration process.

This procedure can be repeated as often as necessary in accordance with urban land use planning law. Citizens can contact the MLP Group in writing at any time via the project website at https://mlppark-gelsenkirchen.com. Andreas Bertsch, Technical Project Manager & Sustainability at the MLP Group, is available as your personal contact.

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