Wihlborgs signs agreement with Arm at Ideon in Lund

The rapidly growing chip design company Arm has signed a seven-year agreement for 5,700 square meters in Vätet 1 in the innovation district Ideon. Wihlborgs is now carrying out a renovation and extension of the Beta 1-2 buildings to modernize the property and further increase the attraction in the area.

Arm is the company building the future of computing, and already has property at Ideon but given strong growth is looking to expand its footprint in Sweden.

Vätet 1, which Wihlborgs acquired in 2006, consists of six interconnected buildings known as Beta 1-6. The property is located in the middle of Ideon Science Park, directly adjacent to the tram stop Ideontorget and close to both bus and bicycle paths as well as parking. In the area, Lund University and around 400 companies operate in fields such as connectivity, ICT, and life sciences.

The Beta buildings were designed by Lund architect Peter Torudd and were constructed during the 1980s and 1990s. The buildings Beta 1-2, relevant to the project, will be renovated and extended to create modern office spaces and a new expression in the area. To reduce climate impact, the existing structure will be retained and technical installations upgraded. By glazing one of the inner courtyards between the buildings, a usable atrium is created. The tenant also has access to a private garden and a newly created terrace on the top floor.

“The Ideon Beta buildings are historic innovation grounds in Lund and will be a perfect home for Arm,” said Olof Dellien, Managing Director of Arm Sweden. “As a company that is building the future of computing, we are looking forward to expanding our footprint in a modern office space that allows our engineering teams to do their best work.”

“We are pleased to offer a growth company like Arm the opportunity to continue operating in Ideon Science Park. In addition to the tenant getting nice and customized premises, the property and the surrounding area get a boost. The architecture that gave physical form to Sweden’s first research village has been somewhat overshadowed by parking lots and other surrounding elements. With the renovation, we highlight the original architectural character. At the same time, the buildings get an even better standard,” says Ulrika Hallengren, CEO of Wihlborgs.

Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ)