A Ge-7 gennanate, [Ni(H2O)(mu-C2H6NO)(2)Ge7O14(C2H7NO)]center dot C2H5OH (1), was prepared by the solvothermal method using ethanolamine (C2H7NO) as solvent, ligand, and structure-directing agent. Compound 1 shows an unusual GeO framework fused with transition metal complex. The 2-D layers of Ge-7 clusters are linked by a [Ni(H2O)(mu-C2H6NO)(2)] moiety, forming a 3-D architecture. The preparation and structure of 1 are discussed in comparison with the Ge-9 germanates decorated with metal ethylenediamine complexes. The hydroxyl group of the ethanolamine plays an important role in formation of the 3-D structure, in which the ligand ethanolamine is coordinated directly onto the Ge cluster by the hydroxyl group. It is a new type of germanates incorporated with a TM complex bridge. The proton on the flexible amine side can be exchanged by alkali metal ions.