A consortium led by the German arms of Dutch development group BAM and UK contractor Amber has won the EUR 115 mln contract to develop the new Berlin headquarters for the Federal Ministry for Education and Research.

The public-private partnership, which was designed by renowned architect Heinle, Wischer & Partner, involves the development of a 54,000 m2 office complex on the Spree river opposite the Reichstag.

The ministry currently occupies three sites in Berlin and is looking to bring them together in one location to cut costs. Savings could amount to EUR 28 mln over the next 30 years, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry itself will remain headquartered in Bonn, which currently houses 75% of its staff.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2012, with delivery planned for autumn 2014.