Hamburg is known as an attractive place to work, home not only to one of Europe’s largest seaports but also to many other industries. NDR, Vattenfall GmbH and the publishing house Gruner + Jahr are just a few of the city’s top employers, which are also well known throughout Germany and have an office in Hamburg. According to a survey by the accountancy and consultancy firm PwC (PriceWaterhouseCoopers), one in five Germans considers Hamburg to be the best place to work in Germany, ahead of Berlin and Frankfurt am Main.
Hamburg at its best
One of the main attractions of an office in Hamburg is its location on the River Elbe, offering an extremely liveable and creative environment in the cultural capital. No matter how hectic things get in an office in Hamburg, a day by Lake Alster restores the strength and energy you need. The Outer Alster is particularly well suited to short walks during breaks. The fresh breeze by the reservoir fills your lungs with healthy air and is reminiscent of the North Sea coast, 250 kilometres away. The Alsterpark surrounding the lake offers plenty of greenery for the eye; the western part was developed for the International Horticultural Exhibition (IGA). You can also enjoy beautiful views of stylish villas and the ‘Weißes Haus’.
The Binnenalster, the smaller, southern part of the Alster Lake, is characterised by the white façades and copper-clad roofs of various office and commercial buildings. The headquarters of Hapag-Lloyd AG, the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten and the long-established Alsterhaus department store are all based here. Along the River Elbe lie the Loki Schmidt Garden, Jenisch Park and the historic ships in the Övelgönne Museum Harbour. Another park that’s perfect for relaxation is Planten un Blomen Park. Situated on part of the site of Hamburg’s former city walls, the park is ideal for sunbathing and unwinding. There are various attractions on offer to keep you active.
For those who prefer to recharge their batteries culturally, Hamburg has numerous museums, concert halls and galleries to offer. Situated right on the River Elbe and in the heart of HafenCity is the Elbphilharmonie. The concert hall was built in 2016 and is regarded as Hamburg’s new landmark. In Hamburg’s new district – HafenCity – you can discover old warehouses, new promenades, canal bridges, modern architecture and a fantastic view of the River Elbe.
The Hanseatic city also has plenty to offer in terms of leisure activities on the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts. Impressive sites such as the Speicherstadt, the Kontorhausviertel and the Town Hall delight both locals and tourists alike. The infamous Reeperbahn is a hub of nightlife, whilst the history of the Hanseatic League is brought to life at the German Port Museum.
Alongside logistics, Hamburg’s key industries include aviation, tourism, renewable energy, chemicals, media and IT. There are suitable office options in Hamburg for every sector of business.
Why set up an office in Hamburg?
As Germany’s second-largest city and one of Europe’s most important logistics hubs, Hamburg is a valuable location, particularly for internationally oriented companies. Young entrepreneurs, in particular, can benefit from a well-connected infrastructure when they open their office in Hamburg. Not only are regular networking events such as the ‘active lounge’ and the ‘Gamecity Treff’ held in the Hanseatic city, but so too are larger start-up events such as the ‘Home Party Hamburg’ and the ‘Online Marketing Camp’.
Media companies and video game developers in particular will find ideal conditions in Hamburg in which to grow and network. But companies in the technology and life sciences sectors are also well served by having an office in Hamburg. As a university city, Hamburg provides space for more than 10,000 researchers who make a significant contribution to technical innovation, from which companies in the region benefit greatly. Numerous companies, such as Airbus, Beiersdorf, Mercedes-Benz and Montblanc, are headquartered here or operate large plants in Hamburg. Hamburg is also a major media hub. Axel Springer AG, Gruner + Jahr and the Deutsche Presse-Agentur are based in the city.
Of particular importance are the Helmholtz Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and the institutes of the Max Planck Society, which are renowned worldwide for their excellent research.
The transport links leave nothing to be desired
Last but not least, the excellent transport links are another strong argument in favour of an office in Hamburg. The Port of Hamburg not only provides access to the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, but is also connected to the A1 and A7 motorways, which are among Europe’s most important transport routes. Whilst Berlin is easily accessible via the A24, the A20 provides a route to the Netherlands and Poland. Last but not least, Hamburg Airport connects the city with direct flights to international cities. Among others, New York, Dubai and Shanghai can be reached by direct flight.
Transport links are a key consideration for an office in Hamburg. The city is connected to the rest of Germany via the A1, A7, A23, A24 and A25 motorways. In addition, there are several federal roads that run through the city of Hamburg. Another important mode of transport for reaching an office in Hamburg is the railway. Hamburg is home to the largest railway station in Northern Europe, which connects the city to other European cities such as Basel, Vienna and Prague. For travel to international meetings or trade fairs, Hamburg Airport connects the Hanseatic city with numerous long-haul destinations. For example, there are direct flights to New York and Dubai.
Interesting trade fairs in the city
Another key reason to rent an office in Hamburg is the wide range of trade fairs held there. Hamburg Messe und Congress, or HMC for short, has 87,000 square metres of exhibition space spread across eleven halls. Many trade fairs are held here every year. These include the Aircraft Interiors Expo, Mineralien Hamburg, INTERNORGA, home² and many others.
Not just in the office: networking for greater success
The Hamburg@Work network is a particular highlight. This network brings together numerous companies from the IT and media sectors, as well as public authorities and institutions, to promote economic development. The aim is to facilitate collaboration between the various sectors. This vast network alone makes having an office in Hamburg worthwhile for many companies and start-ups.
When it comes to leisure activities, St Pauli offers everything that’s fun
The St. Pauli district is almost as well-known as the Reeperbahn. This distinction has become so ingrained that people from outside Hamburg are often completely unaware that the Reeperbahn and St. Pauli are closely linked. To be more precise, the Reeperbahn itself consists of just a few streets in the south of St. Pauli, an area also simply known as the ‘Kiez’. For night owls who don’t necessarily want to have fun on the Reeperbahn, there’s certainly something to suit them in St. Pauli. Hardly any other city offers such a wide variety of leisure activities packed into just a few square kilometres. From small snack bars to Michelin-starred restaurants, there’s something for every palate here. As the ‘Gateway to the World’, it’s almost a given that international cuisine is very well represented here.
Fish rolls – Hamburg’s secret national dish
For many Hamburgers, it’s a must to eat a fish roll at the fish market after a night of partying. Incidentally, the fish roll is Hamburg’s secret national dish. Whether filled with eel, salmon, mackerel or, in the traditional style, with matjes or herring – the fish roll is a popular snack, naturally also during the lunch break. The fish roll tastes best whilst looking out over the waters of the Elbe, the Alster or the North Sea. It’s the perfect way to enjoy your lunch break or after work.
What are the advantages of setting up an office in Hamburg’s Hohe Bleichen district?
Once known as a craftsmen’s quarter on the outskirts of the city gates, Hohe Bleichen is now regarded as a modern neighbourhood with a Mediterranean flair. The light-coloured paving, the cherry trees and the evergreen arborvitae quickly create the impression of an Italian piazza. In recent years, however, property owners and local businesses have invested in developing Hohe Bleichen as a business district. Today, the neighbourhood is regarded as one of the best city-centre locations, where a variety of retail and hospitality businesses have set up shop. With its well-developed infrastructure, Hohe Bleichen is an ideal location for opening an office in Hamburg. All the hotspots are just a few minutes away – often even within walking distance.
If you too would like to benefit from the numerous advantages of the Hamburg area and an office in Hamburg, COLLECTION Business Centre Hamburg at the Hohe Bleichen site offers modern, light-filled offices that also feature an underground car park. This means you’ll not only find the perfect facilities, but you’ll also be able to reach your workplace by car.
Cover image: Photo by Sabine on Pexels