Lightware: A Journey from Startup to Global Tech Innovator
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Gergely Vida founded Lightware Zrt. in 1998, driven by a natural passion for audiovisual technology. Over 25 years, the company has transformed from a small business into a global industry leader with 18 partner offices on four continents, over 400 employees, and products available in more than 30 countries.

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Dynamic Growth and Evolving Needs – The Quest for the Perfect Headquarters
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Over the past decade, the company has experienced exponential growth, making the need for relocation increasingly urgent and an evident necessity. However, several factors—such as the global chip crisis, the pandemic, and international expansion—delayed the move. Throughout this time, ESTON’s Office Leasing team maintained ongoing communication with the company’s leadership for eight years, regularly assessing their evolving needs and the opportunities available in the market.

The search focused on finding a location that would enable the creation of a unique innovation hub tailored to the company’s requirements and designed with employee comfort in mind. This meant not only offering modern office space but also accommodating the essential technological departments and functions critical to the company’s operations. The complexity of the search was further heightened by the need for a central location, high technical standards, and eco-friendly design—all of which were key priorities for the client. Additionally, the chosen space had to allow for future expansion, as the company has been growing rapidly, doubling its headcount in the past two years.

It was also crucial that the new headquarters provide an inspiring environment for the development team, while offering a comfortable and modern space for office staff to perform their work. This balance of innovation, sustainability, and employee well-being was central to the selection process.

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The Location: HOP Technology Office Park
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After a thorough review of the Budapest office market, Lightware selected Building 7 of the HOP Technology Office Park, developed by WING, as its new home. This decision was more than a simple move; it was a strategic step toward the company’s future.

The HOP concept is groundbreaking, offering an innovative environment that meets the needs of modern employees and the specialized technical requirements of high-tech companies. This dual focus makes the park unique in Budapest's office market and an ideal choice for a rapidly growing tech company like Lightware. The company's new "A" category headquarters will cover 7,000 square meters in Building 7 of the park. This significant project not only marks a milestone for Lightware but also stands out in the Hungarian office market, winning the 'Office Lease Transaction of the Year' award at the 2023 Portfolio Property Awards. This recognition also highlights the exceptional dedication of ESTON's expert team, whose eight years of persistent collaboration with Lightware's leadership and ongoing analysis of changing needs and market opportunities led to a solution perfectly aligned with the company's present and future needs. The Project Management team oversees the work of 150-200 professionals from 4-5 specialties daily on the 7,000-square-meter project.

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Sustainability and Innovation: The Cornerstones of the Future Office
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In the design of Lightware's new headquarters, both employee well-being and environmental sustainability have taken center stage, making them key priorities for both the client and the landlord. The uniqueness of this project lies in the transformation of a more than 50-year-old building into a premium, modern office space that meets ESG criteria.

By repurposing the original structure, a significant amount of carbon emissions has been avoided compared to the environmental impact of constructing a completely new facility. The building’s central location offers additional benefits, boasting excellent public transportation links and easy accessibility by bicycle, which significantly reduces the environmental footprint of commuting.

To encourage eco-friendly transportation, the building is equipped with 80 outdoor and nearly 100 covered bicycle storage spaces. Additionally, employees have access to the Park's electric vehicle charging stations, marking another step toward sustainable mobility.

Sustainability was the guiding principle throughout the building's renovation. Instead of replacing the entire mechanical system, it was modernized, resulting in substantial energy savings. Alongside the replacement of windows, efforts were made to retain original elements such as the suspended ceiling, which not only optimizes operational costs but also contributes to sustainability by minimizing the use of new materials. The commitment to green energy will be further strengthened by the installation of a solar panel system on the building’s roof, enhancing energy efficiency and contributing to long-term reductions in operational costs and environmental impact.

These measures collectively ensure that Lightware’s new headquarters not only provide a modern and comfortable working environment but also reflect the company’s environmentally conscious philosophy, setting a sustainable development example for the office building sector.

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A Milestone for the Future
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The realization of Lightware's new headquarters is not just a relocation, but a milestone in the company’s history. The innovative, sustainable, and employee-friendly complex being established in the HOP Technology Office Park is the physical embodiment of Lightware’s vision and story. Guided by the expert project management team at ESTON, the 7,000-square-meter facility, set to be completed in the first quarter of 2025, will provide a modern working environment for over 300 employees. It will also become a symbol of technological innovation, environmental awareness, and a forward-thinking corporate culture.

The location will include areas ranging from workstations to operational spaces, photo and video studios, as well as employee comfort zones such as a communal terrace, work café, yoga room, and bike storage — essential components for creating a workplace that meets the modern needs of the 21st century.

We are proud and grateful that ESTON has been part of this exceptional project from the beginning—starting with our Office Leasing Division’s search for the perfect location, and continuing through to the final furniture placement under the guidance of our Project Management experts, covering every step in between. As Lightware takes possession of its new home, this investment will serve as an exemplary achievement not only for the company but also for the entire domestic tech sector, proving that economic success and sustainability can go hand in hand in the challenging world of the 21st century.

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