Valentyns Launches to Democratise Bluechip-Quality Workplaces

A revolutionary new office model where high-design, cutting-edge wellness, and seamless operations unlock peak performance

Valentyns presents a bold new blueprint for the modern workspace. After years of offices morphing into lounge-like extensions of the home, a shift is now underway. Launching in Cologne, Germany, Valentyns introduces a next-generation office model, making high-design environments with seamless service, now accessible to small and mid-sized businesses. 

Valentyns is the vision of entrepreneur Ferdinand Stahl, brought to life in collaboration with architect Thomas van den Valentyn. Drawing on workplace research from companies like Google and Microsoft – who have long recognised that investing heavily in design amenities and back-of-house programmes delivers lasting financial benefits – Valentyns is built for optimal performance. 

By removing operational friction – from day-to-day logistics to administrative decisions to back-of-house support –  Valentyns manages every detail, freeing members to focus on what matters most: growing their business. This evidence-based, design-forward approach enhances both experience and output, delivering a standard of quality once reserved for global firms to a new generation of creatives and entrepreneurs.

Located in a 1960s building overlooking the River Rhine, Valentyns spans more than 2,100 sq m and offers 43 private offices, a wellness floor, and six bookable meeting rooms. At street level, a restaurant and terrace create a natural hub for informal meetings, conversation, and connection. Membership is capped at around 150 people – a strategic choice based on Dunbar’s Number, fostering a close-knit community where meaningful relationships drive better business through genuine collaboration.

Ferdinand Stahl commented, “Our vision was never just to build a workplace, but to create a modern tool that gives ambitious companies a competitive edge. Better tools lead to better outcomes, and the office should be no exception. Collaborating with my uncle Thomas added a personal dimension to the project and naming it after him felt like the right way to honour our shared belief: from the simplest, the best.”

For van den Valentyn – known for the Beethoven Chamber Music Hall and Archive in Bonn, the Max Ernst Museum in Brühl and the restoration of Berlin’s Presidential Palace – Valentyns is an opportunity to apply architectural precision on a more personal level. At the entrance, a sleek Gneiss stone plinth serves as the front desk – a grounded statement from day one. Behind it, the names of the offices are displayed, signalling that Valentyns is not a temporary backdrop. This is a robust environment where people can take pride in their workplace.

In an industry long dominated by scale and cost-efficiency, Valentyns shifts the focus back to quality, substance, and style. As you step onto the office floors, interiors flood with natural light, softened by cool pastel tones. Spaces are defined by clean lines that draw attention to design icons carefully chosen by designer Johannes van Linn – from USM Haller desks, Fritz Hansen Series 7 chairs to Thonet coat stands and stools, Eileen Gray E1027 side table, Lampe Gras No. 304 Wall Light and art prints works by Gerhard Richter, Robert Indiana and  Andy Warhol.

Every detail has been carefully considered. Interior blinds reduce glare while creating a subtle interplay between natural and artificial light, shifting the atmosphere throughout the day. A signature van den Valentyn touch – the right-angled arrangement of LC2 Le Corbusier chairs – blurs the line between work and social spaces, encouraging impromptu conversation. Acoustic ceiling and wall panels ensure optimal sound performance, while the lighting concept supports natural daylight and transitions to enhance comfort in the evening.

Thomas van den Valentyn remarked, “As Adolf Loos said, ‘Every change that is not an improvement is a deterioration.’ This philosophy shaped our design. At Valentyns, every element – from material choices to spatial flow – is intentional, functional, and focused on lasting well-being.”

A standout feature of Valentyns is its deep commitment to longevity and employee wellbeing. State-of-the-art amenities – including a Finnish sauna and infrared sauna, custom-made ice bath, a dedicated treatment room for HydraFacials and IV drips, a Technogym-equipped gym, and curated Byredo products – provide members with the tools to recharge and sustain peak performance throughout the workday. By creating a stimulating environment, Valentyns helps members retain highly skilled employees, fostering a positive workplace culture that boosts job satisfaction and reduces turnover.

At the heart of Valentyns’ ethos is a concierge service that removes daily distractions, letting members focus fully on their work. From catering and transport to wellness bookings, the team manages the details, freeing companies from the hassle. Since moving in, members have reported a 30% reduction in sick days – a clear sign of the positive impact of a health-focused workplace and a new benchmark for modern offices.

Over the next few years, co-founders Ferdinand Stahl and Yossi Levi will lead an expansion of Valentyns to include new sites in Germany, followed by a considered presence in the UK.  

Thomas van den Valentyn

Thomas van den Valentyn is a Cologne-based architect with over 35 years of experience in integrated architecture and interior design. His work spans commercial, residential and cultural projects, including the Beethoven Chamber Music Hall and Archive in Bonn, and the Max Ernst Museum in Brühl. Over the course of his career, he has received numerous accolades, including the German Architecture Prize, the European Design Award, and the Federal Cross of Merit.