(L-R) Thierry Laborde, BNP Paribas; Bob Kieffer, BGL BNP Paribas; Lydie Polfer, Mayor of Luxembourg City; Grand Duke Henri; Béatrice Belorgey, BGL BNP Paribas; Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance; Christophe Bouchard, French Ambassador to Luxembourg;
Credit: BGL BNP Paribas
On Thursday 18 September 2025, BGL BNP Paribas officially inaugurated its new head office, seKoia, in Luxembourg-Kirchberg, after two and a half years of construction.
The opening ceremony took place in the presence of Grand Duke Henri, Luxembourg Minister of Finance Gilles Roth, Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer, French Ambassador to Luxembourg Christophe Bouchard, BNP Paribas Chief Operating Officer Thierry Laborde, Chair of the BGL BNP Paribas Executive Committee and Head of the BNP Paribas Group entities in Luxembourg, Béatrice Belorgey and Chair of the BGL BNP Paribas Board of Directors Bob Kieffer.
With a total surface area of 18,500 m² spread across eight floors, seKoia provides a total of 1,110 workstations. The building’s architecture is designed for flexible, agile and hybrid working, with team areas, brainstorming and quiet spaces, configurable offices and conference rooms equipped with the latest technologies. According to BGL BNP Paribas, the aim is to provide an adaptable work environment that meets employees’ needs and client expectations.
The new building is reported to consume 70% less energy than the bank’s previous premises. It was designed to meet high environmental standards, with the objective of achieving Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), Haute Qualité Environnementale (HQE), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB) and Bâtiment Bas Carbone (BBCA) certification, alongside OsmoZ certification, which is focused on employee wellbeing.
In January 2022, BGL BNP Paribas obtained International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) 50001 certification for energy management, which was renewed in March 2025.
The name seKoia was chosen by staff through an in-house competition. The “K” refers to Kirchberg, where the bank has been located for 30 years. Inspired by the sequoia tree, the name symbolises strength, longevity and continuity.
“seKoia is not only our new head office; it is also the hallmark of an innovative and responsible bank that is deeply entwined in Luxembourg and listens to the needs of its clients and staff. It shows our commitment to be at our clients’ side in the transition to a more sustainable economy, as well as the confidence of the BNP Paribas Group in the ongoing development of BGL BNP Paribas and the Luxembourg economy,” stated Béatrice Belorgey, Chair of the BGL BNP Paribas Executive Committee and Head of the BNP Paribas Group entities in Luxembourg.
The project was designed by M3 Architectes S.A. and construction of the building began in mid-2022 with preparatory and infrastructure works, followed by the superstructure in late 2023, when the first brick was laid. Staff began moving in on 9 June 2025. The relocation will be completed on Monday 29 September 2025 when the last remaining staff move into the building.
EO
