Iconic Kockums skyscraper fills with new ideas

6/25/2018 7:00 AM

“The region’s successes are built on unique, multifaceted entrepreneurship in various operations and the business areas developing in Malmö, Lund, Helsingborg and Copenhagen. With such a varied customer stock, we need a dynamic offering that is adaptable based on different needs. The move to Gängtappen provides us with more space and rooms for more meetings, which means we can invite customers and industry colleagues to our offices,” says Ulrika Hallengren.

“Malmö and the entire Öresund region are continuing the changes begun back in the 1990s. Industry is being replaced by service companies, service level expectations are rising, city districts are being developed and expanding, and new ones are being added. Where businesses are operating, we are there,” says Ulrika Hallengren, new CEO of Wihlborgs since the April AGM.

As the largest commercial property owner in the Nordic countries’ largest labour market region, Wihlborgs is in the middle of an exciting phase.

“This region has so much to give. We’re going to be part of making the fantastic even better. There is a general perception of the real estate industry as being a little stiff and traditional. But that’s not the whole picture. Because at the same time as we are stable — houses tend to stay put — there is incredible curiosity and creativity,” Ulrika Hallengren says.

The iconic Gängtappen building was built by Kockums in 1958, and served as the shipyard group’s main office for decades. But over the last few years, Sweden’s first skyscraper underwent a complete internal renovation, thereby regaining its original appearance. Now, new types of tenants are moving in.

In 2016, Länsförsäkringar Skåne moved in and the communications bureau FEW arrived in 2017. Over the last few years, the digital office Bombay Works, the IT consultant Additude and many others have moved to Gängtappen. This fall, the Media Evolution City cluster will take over two floors in the building, as will the tech company Hypergene, Hoya Lens and several other businesses.

“This composition of tenants will impact the building and its content here, but it will also create new and exciting dynamics in Dockan. And we are really looking forward to bringing the area in front of Gängtappen to life with a French-inspired park, so that it really becomes a meeting point for everyone in the area. Quite simply, there is room for more here.”

Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ) is a property company that focuses on commercial properties in the Öresund region. Its property portfolio is located in Malmö, Helsingborg, Lund and Copenhagen.
In Malmö, Lund and Helsingborg, Wihlborgs is the leading property company.

The book value of the company’s properties totals SEK 39.4 billion. The annual rental value of the properties is SEK 2.9 billion.

Wihlborgs’ shares are listed on the Large Cap List of Nasdaq Stockholm.