ARRI opens new company headquarters in Munich

Since its establishment in 1917, ARRI’s historical location in Munich’s Tuerkenstrasse has been the main hub of activity for the business. Now, the globally active film technology company is relocating its headquarters and the entire Camera Systems division to Munich’s Parkstadt Schwabing.

On October 6, 2020, Judith Gerlach, Bavarian State Minister for Digital Affairs and also responsible for the state’s film industry, commemorated the opening with a visit to the new building. She was welcomed by ARRI Executive Board members Dr. Michael Neuhaeuser and Markus Zeiler, the two Managing Directors of ARRI Cine Technik Stephan Schenk and Walter Trauninger, as well as by the members of the Supervisory Board and representatives of the owner family Dr. Carolin Stahl and Christoph Stahl.

ARRIAL is the new production and office building, offering over 600 workspaces, that has been precisely tailored to meet ARRI’s future needs. Located at Herbert Bayer Strasse 10, in the direct vicinity of many other global players, the name ARRIAL was born out of an internal employee competition. Inspired by the architecture of American film studios, the building consists of two spacious, interconnected building blocks. “Some visitors recognize analog film strips from earlier times or the carbon housings of our digital ARRI cameras in the dynamic-looking, almost perforated, black brick facade,” comments Managing Director Walter Trauninger who is responsible, along with Stephan Schenk, for the Camera Systems business unit.

The State Minister for Digital Affairs Judith Gerlach explains: “The history of ARRI is a true Bavarian success story—high tech from our state has become indispensable to the film industry worldwide. I am pleased about this, not only as Minister for Film, but also as Minister for Digital. With the new company headquarters in Munich, ARRI is setting the course for the future. I wish you good luck and success in your new home!”

From the building’s inception, great importance was attached to a pleasant working environment: Beautiful, high ceilings in industrial design create a modern ambience. Most of the workplaces are located near large, wood-clad windows. Sound-absorbing floors ensure less ambient noise. Continuous fresh air circulates in the fully air-conditioned building that also offers external and internal sun protection. Seven passenger elevators enable barrier-free working while attractive, light-flooded staircases connect all floors. In the stylish cafeteria complete with sun terrace and at a separate kiosk, caterer Leonardi serves a variety of fresh dishes as well as snacks and drinks every day. A landscaped inner courtyard invites the employees and guests to take a relaxing break.

Two underground parking levels offer colleagues sufficient parking space. Some of them have been equipped with e-charging stations. In addition, there is ample bicycle parking space for employees. Charging facilities for e-bikes have also been integrated. Furthermore, the building is well connected to public transportation.

Even as a technical structure, ARRIAL is on the cutting edge and not only in terms of its workplace equipment or modern facilities. Solar panels on the roof allow ARRI to produce its own electricity while feeding any surplus energy back into the network.

ARRIAL was built on behalf of ARRI according to plans by the architectural office Hoffmann & Amtsberg and project manager Michaela Neugebauer. “ARRI did not want a normal commercial building, but a house that would provide space for several hundred individualists, creative engineers, and free-thinking film enthusiasts,” said architect Achim Hoffmann at the cornerstone laying ceremony. He promised “an extraordinary house for an extraordinary company”—and he kept his word.

Numerous companies were involved in the construction. A total of 7,700 square meters (over 82,882 ft.) were built on the approximately 10,600 square meter (over 114,097 ft). site. This resulted in 17,500 square meters (over 188,368 ft.) of net-floor space for offices and an additional 15,000 square meters (over 161,458 ft.) of storage, usable space, and parking.

“With around 1,400 employees and numerous branches worldwide, ARRI is truly a global player,” explains Executive Board member Markus Zeiler. “Still ARRI remains a Munich-based company with a long tradition. With this new building, ARRI is committing itself to Munich as a production and innovation location in the future.”

The company’s founding location in Munich’s Tuerkenstrasse is still owned by ARRI. The ARRI Media division, responsible for postproduction, and the ASTOR Film Lounge at ARRI with three movie theaters, which was newly opened after the renovation, will remain on the premises, as will other private and commercial tenants, including the medical technology company Munich Surgical Imaging, the Munich City Museum, the Muenchner Verlagsgruppe (Munich Publishing Group), parts of the Tropical Institute, and film production companies.

ARRIAL was already operational at the end of 2019, but the grand opening, originally planned for May 2020, had to be cancelled due to the corona pandemic.