United Nations Office at Geneva - Strategic Heritage Plan

The Palais des Nations in Geneva, the European headquarters of the United Nations, required an extensive renovation programme covering approximately 160,000m² of accommodation within the 46.6-hectare Ariana Park. The Strategic Heritage Plan, approved by the UN General Assembly, set ambitious objectives: achieving full building code compliance, improving accessibility, reducing energy costs, upgrading IT, AV and broadcast systems, optimising conference spaces, preserving heritage, and ensuring business continuity. The work needed to be delivered within budget and programme while maintaining full operational capacity on a secure, live campus.

G&T is providing Cost Management services to support the multi-phased renovation, which is being delivered under three primary contracts and ten sub-phases from 2017 to 2027. Our team works closely with the UN to coordinate design, procurement and construction in a way that safeguards conference activities and minimises disruption. We have developed strategies to enable work in occupied areas, implemented robust cost control measures, and ensured that heritage features are preserved while modern systems and sustainable solutions are integrated. This collaborative approach helps maintain programme certainty, protects operational continuity, and upholds the UN’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

Once complete, the project will provide the UN with a modern, accessible and energy-efficient headquarters, delivering flexible and functional conference facilities to meet the needs of global diplomacy. The upgraded infrastructure, preserved heritage fabric and improved sustainability credentials will leave a lasting legacy for the United Nations and the city of Geneva, ensuring the Palais des Nations remains a world-class centre for international engagement well into the future.