FRANKFURT-The giant 1.5-million-square-foot office and mixed-usecomplex Airrail, being developed by German listed group IVG next toFrankfurt Airport, is due to open in October after a number ofdelays. The Bonn-based group intends to move much of its ownactivities into the structure that many compare to an ocean linerin shape.

Gerhard Niesslein, IVG CEO, said leasing of Airrail is nowaccelerating after a sluggish start and some 62% of the officespace has been pre-leased. Marketing is picking up momentum afterIVG formed a team to service the facility, headed by KirstenHennig. Among IVG operations being moved to Airrail is thecompany’s fund management operations, currently working out ofnearby Wiesbaden, as well as Niesslein’s own executive office.

“The major advantages of this location quickly become apparentwhen you work here,” he said. “While appointments with importantbusiness partners are difficult to get at the best of times, almostall of them pass through the Frankfurt Airport hub regularly -sometimes several times a month. Finding a short window for aface-to-face discussion turns out to be extremely easy atAirrail.”