Allianz settles over 200,000 bees at Medienfabrik in Munich

Since April, the worker bees have been collecting honey within a radius of about three kilometers – in the nearby Bavaria Park, in flowerboxes in the neighborhood, in allotments on the other side of the railroad tracks, and even on the grounds of this 'Media Factory' itself. In particular, the raised beds introduced by Allianz last year for its office tenants and tended by them are now thoroughly pollinated.

The man looking after the new workers is beekeeper Nikolaus Dengler, who makes sure that they're doing well and treated properly. "Instead of just worrying about bees dying out, here at Medienfabrik we're taking positive steps to protect them," declared Allianz Asset Manager Ulrike Heun. In doing so, Allianz Real Estate is supporting a campaign by Dany Bienenwohl, a company which plans to establish more honey bees in the Munich area. By installing the hives, Allianz is helping to preserve the ecological balance in the local surroundings. A docile breed of Apis mellifera (the European honey bee) has been introduced at Medienfabrik because they're unaggressive, meaning they're suitable to be kept in inner-city locations. The honey collected by the bees is free of pollutants such as heavy metals and produced in line with the guidelines of organic-food association Bioland. This means that 'Medien-Honik' is officially organic honey.

Amateur gardening and honey production

Last year, Allianz set up raised beds for office workers on the grounds of Medienfabrik. Ever since then, the beds have been weeded, cultivated and tended by the many amateur gardeners there, doing wonders for contact among tenants. And next year, Allianz plans to settle another ten bee colonies on the roof of Medienfabrik.