From a furniture store to a mixed-use development with a modern workplace: BIG direkt gesund is moving into Quartier Nord
Aachen’s Quartier Nord continues to evolve: With the arrival of the health insurance provider BIG direkt gesund in mid-2027, modern office and collaboration spaces will be created on the first floor—spanning approximately 2,000 square meters—of the former Trösser furniture store. Following the closure of the furniture store in August 2025, the building will be transformed into a vibrant hub for work and shopping—tenants have already been secured for the new retail spaces on the ground floor as well.
In addition to the excellent location, sustainability considerations were a key factor in BIG’s move. The new facilities on Krefelder Straße will be modernized to the standards of a new building and will result in significant CO2 savings compared to the previous location in Aachen-Rothe Erde. “By moving to the Quartier Nord, we are making a conscious investment in BIG’s future. The location combines sustainability, attractive working conditions, and excellent accessibility—ideal conditions for BIG to continue growing as a modern employer,” said Markus Bäumer, who, as deputy CEO of BIG direkt gesund, spearheaded the decision to move to the new location.
A total of 4,000 square meters of space across two floors will be transformed in the building. The renovation began at the turn of the year. Landmarken is carrying it out within a year. The first sign of the transformation is already visible—at least from above: The photovoltaic system installed by Landmarken’s sister company, Stadtmarken new energy, is connected to that of the neighboring new office building, AlphaSpace, and will supply tenants in both buildings with green electricity.
Further changes will become visible over the course of the year. The previously completely closed facade on the first floor is opening up to the outside through the installation of generous window areas, allowing plenty of natural light to flood into the rooms. “There, we’re creating beautiful ‘room-within-a-room’ solutions with lots of glass,” says Landmarken project manager Daniel Gilles. In the central zone, meeting rooms, so-called “think tanks” for focused work, kitchen and communal areas, as well as a compact customer center are being created. The entire space will be fully air-conditioned. The employees’ offices will be arranged around this core. The economic, planning, and technical feasibility study and implementation were developed by pro m² under the direction of Managing Director Jan Oelze. “The conversion of the former furniture store into a modern office and customer center demonstrates just how much potential lies in the intelligent transformation of existing properties. We are pleased to continue our successful collaboration with BIG direkt gesund here in Aachen,” says Jan Oelze, managing partner of pro m².
The signed lease agreement, brokered by Heiko Keller of Cubion Immobilien AG, has a term of ten years. “With this long-term lease, we are making a clear commitment to Aachen as a location. For us, the city is not only an important corporate headquarters but also an attractive place for our employees to work and live. Our policyholders will continue to have an easily accessible point of contact,” emphasizes Markus Bäumer. “This sends a strong signal for the location and is another sign of the transformation taking place in the neighborhood,” adds Jan Hilgier, Team Leader of Leasing at Landmarken.
The former retail building is thus being transformed into an attractive mixed-use property. While McFIT has extended its lease on the second floor for the long term and will be extensively modernizing the fitness center starting this summer, renovations on the ground floor have also been underway since the start of the year. Two modern retail spaces are being created there: Louis Motorcycle Apparel and Equipment will move into the larger space, and a prospective tenant for the smaller space has already been found.
With successful projects in over 20 cities, Landmarken ranks among Germany’s most renowned project developers for sustainable real estate and neighborhoods. For nearly 40 years, this family-owned company has been creating modern and healthy work environments, public sector and infrastructure projects, innovative renovations of existing buildings, university developments, hotels, retail properties, and innovative downtown and mixed-use concepts—including as service developments. In North Rhine-Westphalia alone, the pipeline of planned residential neighborhoods totals approximately 300,000 square meters of gross floor area. Numerous projects have won awards.
Together with its sister companies, Landmarken AG forms the Landmarken Group, a full-service real estate group that encompasses all areas of expertise in the real estate industry. The companies within the Landmarken Group act as developers, investors, and managers—all within the core sectors of residential and commercial real estate, light industrial/logistics, education, and infrastructure.
The BundesInnungskrankenkasse Gesundheit—BIG direkt gesund for short—was founded in Dortmund in 1996. The guiding principle behind BIG is: “We create space for being human.” This refers to a modern online approach and empathetic service that is fast and solution-oriented. BIG offers a variety of communication channels tailored to the lifestyles of its approximately 490,000 insured members nationwide. These customers receive respectful and clear advice via phone, chat, email, or mail. Numerous additional benefits and an attractive bonus program are further major advantages. BIG direkt gesund has its registered office in Berlin, its headquarters in Dortmund, and a key administrative location in Aachen. BIG employs approximately 950 staff members at its operational sites, and on-site consulting is available at 13 BIGshops.
For more information about the company, visit: www.big-direkt.de
