© Pit Everling
With six floors already standing and a distinctive steel-and-glass design, ArcelorMittal’s K22 in Kirchberg is set to become one of the largest office projects in the Greater Region, opening in 2027.
Behind Place de l’Europe, the clatter of hammers, drills, and heavy machinery fills the district as construction moves full speed ahead on K22, ArcelorMittal’s new headquarters, located between Avenue Kennedy and Rue du Fort Thüngen in Kirchberg.
The headquarters will also house government offices, with the state sharing in the construction costs.
On Friday, RTL was part of a site visit giving a glimpse into what has been described as "the largest construction site in the Greater Region." Fitted with safety shoes, fluorescent vests, helmets and gloves, visitors were guided through the project’s busy grounds.
"Luxembourg is our home," said ArcelorMittal Vice-President Vijay Goyal during the tour. "Kirchberg is perfect for hosting the country’s business centre."
Six floors have been built so far, with ten more to follow before the pentagonal building reaches its planned height of 79 metres. The structure will combine glass, concrete and, of course, steel.
Architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte described the project as "a tribute to steel," noting: "Everything is made of steel, the floors, the façade. We wanted to fully explore the material’s possibilities, which was essential for us."
During construction, the building was split on one side after Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer commented that it appeared "too wide" when viewed from the city centre. Architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte’s response was succinct: "I don’t remember. I only remember the positive things."
Once completed, K22 will accommodate around 2000 workers. A third of the space will be used by ArcelorMittal employees, with the remainder occupied or leased by the Luxembourg government. Offices will make up most of the building, but the design also includes shops, an atrium, a garden, and a car park with 375 spaces.
Project manager Pierre Engel noted: "We are building around 90,000 m², with 49,000 m² of gross leasable area."
ArcelorMittal emphasises that the headquarters will be environmentally friendly and efficient, using lightweight materials that are quick and easy to install.
Olivier Vassart, head of ArcelorMittal Steligence, described the construction process as follows: "The steel is assembled like giant Lego. The components are prefabricated and painted in Differdange. They arrive on site and are simply assembled."
The headquarters also incorporates a nod to the past. Pierre Engel explained that the imposing Olympic rings previously installed under the Eiffel Tower in Paris were repurposed for K22: "When we dismantled them, we said to ourselves: we’ll send them to Luxembourg, melt them down, and make beams for the headquarters. It’s a little nod to history."
While the total project budget remains undisclosed, construction costs are estimated at around €4,000 per square metre for the 89,000 m² building, putting the total between €350 million and €400 million. The Luxembourgish government will own half of the site, contributing €273 million, over 50% of the estimated cost, according to ArcelorMittal. However, authorities have not yet specified how they intend to use their portion of the building. The land is owned by the Kirchberg Fund and governed by a long-term lease.
The opening reception for the K22 is scheduled for July 2027. ArcelorMittal confirmed that, compared with plans defined in 2022, both the construction timeline and budget are expected to be maintained.
