On 7 December 2023, Finance Minister Gilles Roth (via video), Yuriko Backes, Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Lydie Polfer, Mayor of Luxembourg City, Claire Lignières-Counathe, French Ambassador in Luxembourg, Etienne Reuter, Chair of the Board of Directors of BGL BNP Paribas and Béatrice Belorgey, Chair of the Executive Committee of BGL BNP Paribas and Head of BNP Paribas Group entities in Luxembourg participated in the ceremony of laying the first stone of BGL BNP Paribas’ construction project on the Kirchberg site.

New headquarters designed for employees’ well-being

The new building, of a total surface area of 18,500m², will have 8 floors and 1,110 workstations.

Its design is based on a desire to offer employees an even more attractive work environment that makes working together easier and promotes well-being while taking environmental factors into account.

The new headquarters will also be designed to integrate new approaches to work, such as agile working and Flex Offices.

Sustainable construction

By continuing the measures it has taken to improve its energy efficiency, which resulted in ISO 50001 certification in January 2022, BGL BNP Paribas aims to obtain not only BREEAM®, HQE International® and DGNB® certification for its new offices, but also the BBCA® (low carbon building) label, ensuring minimum energy consumption during the building’s construction and operation.

An evocative name

“seKoia” is the name that has been chosen by employees for their future workplace through an internal competition organised by the bank.

The Sequoia tree, a symbol of strength, longevity and energy, illustrates the bank’s deep roots in the country’s socio-economic fabric and the BNP Paribas Group’s solidity.

The “K” in seKoia, for its part, is a nod to the Kirchberg district, a district that is constantly evolving, in which BGL BNP Paribas has been a pioneer, having had offices there for the last thirty years.

In the words of Béatrice Belorgey, Chair of the Executive Committee of BGL BNP Paribas and Head of the BNP Paribas Group entities in Luxembourg: “This construction project, which is in keeping with the bank’s introduction of new approaches to work, represents a significant investment and strong commitment that demonstrates our Group’s confidence in the continued development of BGL BNP Paribas and the Luxembourg financial marketplace. The project is also in step with our bank’s ambition and strong convictions in the field of corporate social responsibility.”

Dates and key figures

Development of the works:

• 2nd half of 2022: starting of the preparatory works on the existing foundations on which the new building will stand
• 1st quarter of 2023: installation of the worksite and start of infrastructure works
• 4th quarter of 2023: start of superstructure works
• 1st half of 2025: end of the construction works 
• 2nd half of 2025: move into the building 

Total surface area of the construction project: 18,500m²

Number of floors: 8 (ground floor + 8)

Number of workstations: 1,110

Architect responsible for the project: M3 Architectes S.A.