The vision for this new construction in Berlin’s prime business district near the TV Tower was incredibly ambitious. The developer wanted to create an entirely new category of commercial real estate by implementing a hotel concept for businesses. The goal was to build a space where multiple tenants could seamlessly share and book premium common areas, such as large conference halls, a presentation cinema, and fitness areas.
To bring this unprecedented vision to life, the developer partnered with FORTÉ, the GPA team in Germany. The scope involved deploying a comprehensive smart building platform with IoT integration alongside robust audiovisual technology. We needed a system that could easily adapt when new tenants move in with different space layouts, so the platform remains an ideal solution for a multi-tenant building with changing occupancy needs.
Because this was a new construction project, the challenges were not about replacing old technology but rather about managing unprecedented conceptual complexity. The vision required solving a massive operational puzzle. The developer needed to figure out how multiple business tenants could seamlessly share premium facilities across tenant boundaries without compromising individual corporate security or privacy.
Compounding this conceptual hurdle was the logistical chaos of active construction delays. The integration team had to manage multi-stakeholder coordination with twelve diverse trades, including structural engineers, electricians, building automation specialists, and interior architects. Every trade had different project management contacts, and continuous architectural adaptations meant the deployment team had to hit a constantly moving target while keeping the core IoT platform integration perfectly consistent.
To tame this complexity, the engineering team deployed the Thing-it IoT platform as the ultimate integration backbone. This allowed for a modular approach that seamlessly integrated all building functions into a single universal app. Tenants can now effortlessly control their leased spaces, manage lighting, and book shared amenities regardless of how they configure their specific rental areas.
Beyond the software, the hardware integration delivered premium experiences across the board. The deployment included large event halls with massive displays, Microsoft Teams integration for conference rooms, and a specialized presentation cinema featuring high-end Teufel audio systems.
Key Deliverables:
- Innovative Universal App: All building functions, from booking the main conference hall to accessing smart lockers, operate through a single platform tailored to specific tenant access rights.
- Complex Technology Made Simple: End users can operate sophisticated AV equipment in the presentation cinema and conference rooms without technical expertise.
- Network Security Innovation: Tenants can access shared collaborative facilities seamlessly while their individual business data remains completely isolated and protected.
- Flexible Cinema Audio: Integration of premium Teufel sound systems to deliver high-fidelity audio for customer presentations and events.
Project Execution:
Bringing this business hotel concept to life required relentless flexibility throughout the phased implementation from early 2023 to early 2025. We deployed from early smart-building platform integration to final AV technology tuning, navigating significant construction-timeline adjustments along the way. The team maintained constant communication with all building trades to ensure that the complex cross-tenant security protocols were flawlessly integrated into the physical architecture.
To ensure long-term success, the project includes comprehensive remote support and guaranteed on-site support by the second business day. We also established ongoing user training programs to help building management operate the platform reliably and continuously improve the user experience for all occupants.
The facility now operates as Germany’s most innovative business hotel office building. It attracts diverse businesses seeking collaborative environments and world-class amenities that are typically unaffordable for individual tenants. A startup can now book the main conference hall for major investor pitches. At the same time, established companies can use the presentation cinema for training events, all of which are managed through a single intuitive interface.
This cross-tenant collaboration model delivered high tenant satisfaction and helps building owners command premium rental rates. The deployment changes how commercial real estate operates by showing that smart building technology can turn a standard office building into a highly collaborative, secure business ecosystem.
We did not just install technology in Berlin; we enabled an entirely new business model for the commercial real estate market. The project shows we can envision and deliver solutions that don’t yet exist, creating a replicable model that bridges community sharing and corporate privacy.
If your organization is looking to redefine its physical footprint, increase tenant satisfaction, or deploy a highly complex integration project anywhere around the globe, we are perfectly positioned to help. Our global teams have the expertise to navigate the most challenging construction environments and deliver future-proof ecosystems that drive real business value.
