Loft office & art in the ‘Optima style’

Around 2,000 guests gathered at ‘The MALT’ in Allach last weekend to experience the results of the revitalisation of the historic Diamalt factory district. Not only was the combination of historic buildings and modern use impressive, but the artworks of around 45 artists from Munich Arthouse also attracted residents and guests to the Munich industrial loft, which, with its 6-metre-high ceilings and Alpine views, is likely to be unique in Munich's office landscape.

The celebrations began on Thursday afternoon with an exclusive Optima broker event attended by over 150 guests. Since the weekend, the doors of the innovative flex office provider 1000 Satellites have also been open. The Optima-Aegidius group of companies also has a stake in 1000 Satellites, a spin-off of the BASF Group. The MALT is the 14th location between Hamburg and Munich.

The opening took place under the heading ‘Munich Arthouse’ in collaboration with ARTMUC.

At Saturday's open day, numerous Munich citizens gathered at the new flex office provider's Colab to attend the opening ceremony hosted by project developers Dres. Laub and invited politicians, including former mayor Josef Schmid, Barbara Kuhn (district councillor), Heike Kainz (city councillor) and Pascal Fuckerieder (district committee chairman).

The developer highlighted the challenges that had to be overcome in this special listed building project, led by architect Mitra Kashani, ranging from coronavirus to supply chain problems and the relocation of falcons. The total investment amounts to around €50 million.

This makes the successful outcome, which also meets the city's requirements, all the more gratifying.  The MALT combines social uses such as the R18 bicycle repair shop run by the Protestant Church, a daycare centre and kindergarten with a total of around 75 places, and 20 apartments with state-of-the-art office loft spaces covering a total area of around 7,500 square metres.

The fact that The MALT has had a special influence on the speakers and guests in their personal and professional careers becomes clear at various points during the event.

Former mayor Josef Schmid speaks of a day of joy. As a long-time resident of Allach since childhood, he is particularly pleased that new life has now returned to the area after years of vacancy. He highlights the revitalisation by the Optima-Aegidius group of companies as a counterexample to profit-driven property developers, which preserves a piece of Allach's identity while simultaneously upgrading the district.  

District Councillor Barbara Kuhn also has a special personal connection to ‘The MALT’. She reports that her father was the last tenant of the malt house in Pasing. She is delighted that ‘The MALT’, with its spacious premises, also promotes the art scene, for example, which needs affordable exhibition spaces.

City Councillor Heike Kainz has been involved with the Diamalt site for 16 years now and is delighted that The MALT, as the last major building block of the Diamalt site after several changes of ownership, now enables modern living and working.

Pascal Fuckerieder (district committee chairman) mentions the transformation of the Allach landmark from a former production site for high-quality Diamalt products to a commercial and residential area, and thanks the project developer for his vision and perseverance.

There was also particular praise from all sides for the art on display, which was co-initiated by artist and authorised signatory of the Optima Group Michael Griesbeck.

The suggestion to repeat such art exhibitions annually at ‘The MALT’ in Allach is warmly welcomed by all parties.