This decision was taken on the basis of the positive outcome of the Europe-wide public tendering procedure for the construction works that was conducted in the course of 2009. Following the Governing Council’s decision, Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the ECB, said “ we are delighted that our chosen tendering strategy has been successful and that our expectations have been met.” The President added that “ our future premises, the new home of the ECB and of the euro, will symbolise our values being at the service of fellow European citizens. The new premises will contribute to the development of Frankfurt’s Ostend while respecting the existing Grossmarkthalle. We are looking forward to moving in 2014.” President Trichet has personally informed Lord Mayor Petra Roth about the decision of the Governing Council.

The construction works for the new premises were divided into 12 separate packages, which were further subdivided into a total of 69 lots. The first eight tender packages, namely structural works, on-site infrastructure works, elevators, facades, roofing, height-access systems, mechanical services and electrical services, were sent out to tender during the course of 2009. These eight packages consist of 44 lots and constitute around 80% of the building costs. The tenders submitted by construction companies for the first eight packages are within the budget.

The tendering procedure generated a considerable amount of market interest, with over 400 applications being submitted by large, as well as medium-sized, construction companies from all over Europe. The overall quality of the applications and tenders received was very high. Each application and tender was evaluated according to clear predefined criteria that were published at the beginning of the tendering procedure. The evaluation was conducted by expert teams consisting of ECB representatives, the architect, the planners, the external project manager and the construction manager.

The tendering procedure for the first eight packages is now being finalised and contracts with the construction companies will be signed early next year, with a view to starting the main construction works in spring 2010. It is envisaged that the four remaining tender packages will be put out to tender in the course of 2010.

Further details regarding the new ECB premises can be found on the ECB’s website at http://www.ecb.europa.eu/ecb/premises/ .