HUB26: A Sustainable Office Complex Redefining Thessaloniki’s Commercial Landscape

A Transformative Development in Thessaloniki’s Western District

Located on 26is Oktovriou Street, HUB26 by Divercity Architects marks Thessaloniki’s first large-scale sustainable office complex. Spanning 31,000 square meters, this modern commercial development reimagines workplace environments in the city’s historically industrial western district. Positioned opposite the iconic Fix brewery, HUB26 aims to act as a catalyst for urban regeneration, offering adaptable and future-ready workspaces that bridge heritage with innovation.

Masterplanning with Purpose and Connectivity

HUB26 occupies an L-shaped plot, strategically distributing its four main volumes—Buildings A, B, C, and D—to enhance urban permeability and maximize sea views. The three primary buildings face the main street, establishing a powerful commercial frontage, while also framing a lush internal piazza that serves as the complex’s social and connective core. The fourth structure, Building D, emerges as a monolithic block, inspired by the utilitarian aesthetic of Thessaloniki’s industrial past.

Historical Inspirations and Architectural Palimpsest

The design of HUB26 pays tribute to three defining aspects of Thessaloniki: its layered history, industrial memory, and misty atmosphere. The ground floor features a colonnade that nods to the silo forms and arcaded structures of the adjacent Fix brewery. Above, the volumes are horizontally stratified to reflect the city’s palimpsestic nature, where time is inscribed in layers of built form.

Façade Innovation: Brickwork as Identity

The office complex is wrapped in a custom-designed ceramic brick façade, developed in collaboration with S. Anselmo. The brick modules, cast in five terracotta shades, form a three-dimensional gradient that fades from dark at the base to light at the top—mirroring Thessaloniki’s ethereal mist. BIM technology and intensive material research enabled the creation of high-performance bricks that combine aesthetic precision with structural durability. Visits to the manufacturing site in Italy ensured consistency in texture and color, reinforcing the project’s long-term resilience.

Sustainable Design for a Greener Future

HUB26 is on track to achieve LEED Gold certification, thanks to its robust sustainable strategies. Green roofs and terraces support biodiversity and mitigate the urban heat island effect. Locally sourced materials and advanced energy-efficient systems reduce the building’s environmental footprint. Outdoor stepped gardens and landscaped public areas contribute to user wellness, offering shaded social spaces and visual relief.

A Bioclimatic Business Hub for the 21st Century

Designed to optimize natural light, ventilation, and thermal comfort, HUB26 redefines what a sustainable office complex in Thessaloniki can be. It merges contemporary workplace needs with environmental stewardship, architectural expression, and historical context. As a result, it sets a new benchmark for commercial developments in Greece, fostering innovation while honoring the past.

All the photographs are works of Kim Powel Photography, Ektoras Nikolakis