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The general assembly approves modernization at the Rheinstraße site and five more years of support for the business incubator.
The Darmstadt Rhine-Main-Neckar Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) has made two key decisions for the future. According to the IHK, the building at Rheinstraße 89 will be partially demolished and rebuilt, and partially renovated. Furthermore, financial support for the HUB31 technology and start-up center will be extended for another five years. At the general assembly, business representatives also discussed ways to reduce bureaucracy with the Hessian Minister for Debureaucratization, Manfred Pentz.
Modernization of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) building – new construction and core renovation
The general assembly unanimously decided that the rear sections of the building, dating from the 1960s and 1970s, will be demolished and replaced with a new seminar and event building. The front section, built in 1994, will undergo a complete renovation and be used exclusively as an office building.
Previous expert reports had confirmed the building's extensive renovation needs, outdated technical infrastructure, and mandatory energy efficiency requirements. According to Robert Lippmann, CEO of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), a partial new building on the existing site is "the most economical solution." The IHK is investing approximately €60 million, including a contingency fund, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027. During construction, the Chamber will relocate to temporary premises.
Usage concept and sustainability
The new building will be used for the more than 3,600 annual events organized by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and other partners. The IHK is aiming for DGNB Gold certification. Furthermore, the IHK is focusing on space efficiency and smaller office areas, as mobile working is increasingly common. This reduces construction and energy costs.
Chamber of Commerce extends support for HUB31
By a large majority, the general assembly decided to continue funding HUB31 until 2030. The business incubator was founded in 2017 in cooperation with the city of Darmstadt and offers startups office, laboratory, workshop, and production space at favorable rates.
Chamber of Commerce President Christian Jöst emphasized the importance of HUB31 for the region: Founders develop innovations, create jobs, and strengthen the economic future of southern Hesse. Around 90 percent of the 152 companies supported since 2017 are still in business today – a significantly above-average success rate.
Importance of the business incubator for southern Hesse
At HUB31, startups particularly benefit from the workshop spaces and laboratories in the LAB³ makerspace, as well as the close networking with academia and industry. The Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da) and the Technical University of Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt) have been co-shareholders since 2023. HUB31's management team – Klaus-Michael Ahrend and Laura Abascal – announces their intention to further strengthen the startup scene in southern Hesse.
Exchange with Minister Pentz: Focus on reducing bureaucracy
The plenary assembly discussed with Manfred Pentz, Hesse's Minister for Bureaucracy Reduction, how administration and funding systems can be made more modern and efficient. Pentz presented measures from Hesse's first Bureaucracy Reduction Act, which has simplified or abolished over 120 regulations in 90 laws. Further reductions affect building regulations and grant law. A second Bureaucracy Reduction Act is already being drafted.
Chamber of Commerce President Jöst welcomes the measures, but calls for more speed and a cross-departmental strategy: reducing bureaucracy must be considered from the municipal to the European level in order to sustainably secure the competitiveness and innovative strength of companies.
(Darmstadt - Red/IHK)
Featured image: The company representatives at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) General Assembly decided on the further development of the IHK property and continued support for the HUB31 technology and start-up center. Photo: Klaus Mai
