Sustainability
at OFB

We integrate sustainability from the very beginning of every project.

Here’s how climate-friendly project development takes shape in practice.

OFB creates healthy and inspiring work environments. At our locations, we focus on biophilic design and high-quality spaces to promote employee well-being (e.g., through green interiors and nature-inspired design elements as implemented in the ATREEUM project).

Strengthening Biodiversity in Urban Spaces

The Seven Gardens – Oak House project in Wiesbaden underscores the commitment of OFB to protecting and promoting biodiversity. The needs of urban wildlife were incorporated into the planning of the entire neighborhood by creating nesting sites, food sources, and habitats.

These measures help minimize negative environmental impacts.

The Platinum, the new headquarters of Hessen Agentur in Wiesbaden, showcases the climate-conscious construction of OFB. A defining feature of the building is the goal of climate-positive operations, which is independently confirmed by DGNB.

How the circular economy has an impact.

The 10TRAL revitalization retained the entire structural frame, thereby yielding substantial resource savings. In this way, OFB combines innovation with responsibility to shape a circular building sector for the future.

We create neighborhoods worth living in.

With Rée Carré, OFB developed a vibrant neighborhood featuring high-quality, urban architecture in Offenburg. An attractive central square and narrow passages between buildings give the district its distinctive charm.

Modern office districts designed with sustainability in mind.

A modern office district forms the gateway to Eschborn. A spacious central square and green spaces create a high-quality outdoor environment. With units starting at 400 m², the complex accommodates both large and small office needs.
As a leading company in the real estate sector, we are committed to reshaping the future of construction in a sustainable and innovative way with a clear focus on verifiable ESG criteria.

Our principles on the path to sustainable excellence

Sustainability
report 2024
For more on sustainable project development at OFB, please refer to our Sustainability Report.
Download

Sustainable Construction

For us, sustainable building means: Every new construction project is aligned with the 1.5°C target of the Paris Climate Agreement. 

This commitment goes beyond energy efficiency to support the circular economy, promote biodiversity, and strengthen social value. Our goal is to be the benchmark for sustainable project development in Germany by 2030.

With our decarbonization strategy, we are achieving a clear reduction in emissions across all areas of our operations. We aim to reduce emissions by 20% versus 2019 across our operations by 2030.

To achieve this, we will expand certified projects, exceed legal requirements, integrate renewable energy, and conduct climate-risk and vulnerability analyses.

Our projects are guided by established ESG frameworks, standards, and regulations:

Certified Sustainable

At OFB, sustainability is considered and planned from the very beginning. All new buildings are held to high certification standards and achieve at least Gold level in accordance with DGNB with many projects also attaining international seals and certifications such as LEED Platinum. This ensures that our projects are both environmentally friendly and future-ready.

By 2024, we completed the following certified projects:

20
certified
LEED Gold
7
certified
DGNB Gold
(7 more in planning)
2
certified
LEED Platin
(3 more in planning)
4
certified
DGNB Platin

2
comple­ted
ESG verifi­cations
in accordance with the EU Taxonomy (12 more in planning)
„We make sustainability measurable, visible, and effective. With expertise and strong market insight, we remain focused on what truly matters in a complex regulatory landscape: building sustainably in ways that create lasting value.“
– Nima Soltani, Head of Sustainability
Promoting biodiversity in urban areas: 
Seven Gardens – Oak House Wiesbaden
Climate-friendly construction: Platinum Wiesbaden

Innovation and technical excellence

We focus on technological innovation and collaborative partnerships to optimize construction processes, increase resource efficiency, and enhance the quality of life in urban environments.

Through collaborations with start-ups in the PropTech and ConTech sectors, we drive new technologies and create solutions for the real estate industry that meet both current and future demands.

By taking material cycles into account, we conserve resources and promote the sustainable use of building materials throughout their entire life cycle. 

Since 2022, OFB has been an Innovation Partner in the Madaster Initiative, which is intended to establish a digital materials registry. All project materials are recorded and documented on a shared platform. This data makes it possible to optimize the material cycle and enable future reuse (urban mining).

OFB properties are recyclable to a high percentage by mass. With software tools such as Madaster, we can calculate this percentage for each project.

Our ESG Playbook helps ensure all new projects meet high standards for environmental protection, social responsibility, and governance.

The playbook is used as a monitoring tool throughout the entire project cycle and systematically records transparency, level of ambition, and the positive impact of our projects.

Our requirements
Climate protection CO₂ reduction in accordance with the 1.5°C target
KG300 Cost Group 300 of DIN 276
Certificates such as the Green Building Certificate
Climate protection and adaptation in accordance with the EU Taxonomy
Biodiversity
Circular economy
KG400 Cost Group 400 of DIN 276
Building automation
Metered data collection
Sensors
Energy and technical monitoring
Grid-supportive buildings
Technological Resilience ESG data
Certifications
Contract management Data communication
Innovation Technological standard in operation and construction
To a high standard
Our sustainability criteria include the following:
Responsible use of resources
Minimization of waste through recycling with high material recovery rates
Ensuring low-waste construction processes
Sustainable Material Procurement
Material efficiency through sufficiency and circular economy principles
In doing so, we focus on:
Exclusive use of FSC-certified wood and CE-marked materials
Renewable resources such as timber-hybrid constructions
Verification of recycling rates and the use of secondary raw materials in all projects
„Our goal is to create not just buildings, but rather vibrant places. We achieve this through a balanced mix of uses, a high quality of life for users, and neighborhood development that is worth living in, taking social and environmental aspects into account from the outset.“
– Jan-Niklas Six, Project Developer, Sustainable Construction
This is how we conserve resources: 10TRAL Frankfurt am Main
How the circular economy has an impact: ATREEUM Frankfurt am Main

The neighborhood of tomorrow

We develop livable and resilient neighborhoods. This also means focusing on mobility solutions that meet real needs and adapting to climate change.

Our projects take into account all aspects of urban living from high-quality residential, office, and commercial spaces to well-planned green areas and mobility concepts. This is how we create economically successful, architecturally sophisticated, ecologically sustainable, and socially responsible neighborhoods. With our projects, we see ourselves as pioneers: We take a holistic approach to every project—from the initial concept idea to marketing and the transition to operations. People and their quality of life are always at the center of our work.

Through planning approvals and urban development agreements, we ensure every project meets the needs of its surroundings. Project-specific concepts such as mobility solutions, local supply, and social facilities are developed and implemented in close coordination with the authorities.

The neighborhoods we develop actively contribute to improving the local microclimate. With measures such as extensive greenery, water-saving fixtures, and innovative water systems, we improve the local microclimate while conserving valuable drinking water.

Our projects embrace the sponge city concept, which enables water to be retained and absorbed, thereby supporting climate-resilient urban development. These solutions create a livable and future-ready environment that meets both ecological and social needs.

„As shapers of the built environment, we bear a special responsibility: to society, to the environment, and to future generations. That’s why we think of tomorrow and act today.“
– Dr. Bernd Schade, Chair of the Management Board
Designing livable neighborhoods: Rée Carré Offenburg
This is how effective rainwater management works: ATREEUM Frankfurt am Main

Social sustainability and good governance

We continually review and adapt our internal processes to meet the requirements of a sustainable economy. We are also committed to socio-ecological projects in the region because for us, social responsibility does not end at the property line.

Our commitment goes beyond our core business. Through annual fundraising campaigns, we support nonprofit organizations such as the Bärenherz Foundation, which supports projects for terminally ill children, and the food bank. We also work closely with regional partners to strengthen local networks and promote regional development.

As a Gold Sponsor of the “Social Impact Investment Initiative 3.0” of the Institute for Corporate Governance (ICG), we are committed to values such as tolerance, transparency, and integrity in the real estate industry. With this partnership, we are sending a clear signal of Good Governance and our commitment to shaping the industry through ethical action.

Transparency and integrity are core values of our company. That is why we have established WhistProtect®, a group-wide whistleblower system.

  • Violations can be reported online, by phone, or by mail.
  • The entire process—from reporting and review to possible escalation—is fully transparent.
„Making a positive contribution to society starts with us as a company. As an employer, OFB has the ability to create good, safe, and fair working conditions.“
– Janine Petereit, Head of Human Resources and Organizational Development
Better together
By participating in Social Day each year, we encourage our employees to get involved in volunteer activities such as:
Planting trees in Vogelsberg
Promoting biodiversity in Höchst City Park
Garbage collection in Frankfurt am Main
Beautification of an elementary school in Frankfurt
„Our approach to governance is designed to structurally safeguard sustainability and embed it long term in our core business based on clear values, effective control mechanisms, technical support, and a daily commitment to responsibility.“
– André Speth, Managing Director
Well-being comes first: ATREEUM Frankfurt am Main

Our projects

We develop projects that incorporate sustainability considerations from the outset.

Seven Gardens –
Oak House

The Seven Gardens – Oak House project in Wiesbaden underscores the commitment of OFB to protecting and promoting biodiversity. The needs of urban wildlife were incorporated into the planning of the entire neighborhood by creating nesting sites, food sources, and habitats. Reducing negative impacts on biodiversity.

Among the species addressed are the common pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), the bow-winged grasshopper (Chorthippus biguttulus), and the hairy-legged mining bee (Dasypoda hirtipes). Elements such as reclaimed wood and sand beds on rooftops, nesting boxes, and extensive greenery promote biodiversity and ecological resilience. The project demonstrates how biodiversity can be integrated as a core component of sustainable urban development, thereby making it practical, visible, and effective.

More information about the project: seven-gardens-wiesbaden.de

Platinum
Wiesbaden

The Platinum, the new headquarters of Hessen Agentur in Wiesbaden, showcases the climate-conscious construction of OFB. A defining feature of the building is the goal of climate-positive operations, which is independently confirmed by DGNB.***

A comprehensive photovoltaic system on the roof and façade combined with heat pumps and an innovative ice storage system enables a fully renewable energy supply. The result is a building with minimal environmental impact and a clear demonstration of how construction can succeed in the future.


Timber-hybrid construction reduces embodied emissions, meets the highest regulatory and certification standards, and attains ESG verification under the EU Taxonomy. It enables major CO2 reductions thanks to the ability of wood to store carbon while also offering high architectural quality and a comfortable indoor climate. This type of construction is considered future-proof and is highly attractive to investors because of its value stability and low vacancy risk.

Learn more about timber-hybrid construction here.

10TRAL
Frankfurt am Main

The 10TRAL revitalization retained the entire structural frame, thereby yielding substantial resource savings. In this way, OFB combines innovation with responsibility to shape a circular building sector for the future.

Rée
Carré

With Rée Carré, OFB developed a vibrant neighborhood featuring high-quality, urban architecture in Offenburg. An attractive central square and narrow passages between buildings give the district its distinctive charm.

More information about the project: ree-carre.de

Eschborn Gate –
The Tower

A modern office district forms the gateway to Eschborn. A spacious central square and green spaces create a high-quality outdoor environment. With units starting at 400 m², the complex accommodates both large and small office needs.

Various aspects of sustainability were considered in the design. This includes using ecologically certified building materials, supplying renewable energy, harvesting rainwater for outdoor irrigation, and planting fruit-bearing trees in outdoor areas. In line with environmentally friendly construction, an innovative method for ceiling structures is being used. The ceilings contain hollow bodies made from recycled material; this reduces both concrete consumption and the use of steel reinforcement. This resulted in savings of more than 1,700 t of weight and over 150 t of CO2 during construction.

More information about the project: eschborn-gate.de