Corporate Housing Special

HIGH QUALITY SERVICED APARTMENTS IN

SERVICED

AMSTERDAM, ROTTERDAM, THE HAGUE AND EINDHOVEN.

A PA RT M E N T S

5 WAYS

TO PERSONALISE YOUR EXPAT RENTAL

EYE CANDY

FOR TRAVELERS

GO GREEN

corporate

housing

factory

WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT US

LOOKING FOR A HIGH QUALITY APARTMENT?

“IT’S CLEAR THAT WE ARE ON A WONDERFUL JOURNEY”

High-Quality Serviced Apart

in Amsterdam, The Hague,

+31 (0)88 1169 500 • info@corporatehousingfactory.com • www.corporatehousingfactory.com

ments for Corporate Stays Rotterdam and Eindhoven.

• furnished apartments with hotel-like services • strategically located • parking on the premises • free WiFi • weekly cleaning & linen change • health club (at selected properties)

6 INDEX

09

WORD OF WELCOME BY EVA VALKHOFF Marketing & Communications Manager

Colophon

18

THIS MAGAZINE IS AN ISSUE OF

SERVICEDAPARTMENTS.NL The bookings platform for serviced apartments in the Netherlands

CORPORATE HOUSING FACTORY Gustav Mahlerlaan 50b 1082 ME Amsterdam +31 (0) 88 1169 500 info@corporatehousingfactory.com www.corporatehousingfactory.com

PUBLISHED BY ZUIDAS PUBLISHERS WTC Amsterdam Strawinskylaan 15 1077 XW Amsterdam +31 (0)20-3620993 info@zuidaspublishers.nl www.zuidaspublishers.nl

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Romy Lange

10

INTERVIEW MICHAEL BERENDSEN & JOUKE BAAIMA Owners Corporate Housing Factory

15

BE SOCIAL Social updates

ISSUED BY

20

Zuidas Publishers

DESIGN

PROPERTY for rent

Emiel Brouwers - Imageau

PHOTOGRAPHY

23

Lotte de Graaf & Jaiwey Nuij

PRINT RUN

HOW TIME FLIES Column Anjani de Graaf Team Reservations Manager

5,000 copies

Copyright © 2018 Zuidas Publishers.

All rights reserved. Nothing appearing in this magazine (information, pictures, images) may be copied or reproduced, in any manner whatsoever, unless explicit permission has been given in writing.

16

5 WAYS to personalise your expat rental

24

CUSTOMERS about Corporate Housing Factory

INDEX 7

34

CORPORATE HOUSING LIVING’S ‘FALCON LIVING’ combines location with convenience

47

5 HELPFUL APPS When Starting your Expat Life in the Netherlands

38

26

HOW TO PREPARE for your corporate travel adventure

49

AGENDA There’s a party going on

GO GREEN These green places certainly deserve a visit!

29

EYE CANDY for travellers

30

CORPORATE FOODIES Detox salads, the peanut butter dilemma, avocado dip and nachos...

52

CORPORATE HOUSING FACTORY has moved home

40

54

44

57

NEW PROJECTS in The Hague and Eindhoven

33 TRAVEL 100 ML

TEN REASONS to live abroad at least once in your life.

TEAM Meet our team

PHOTOS Corporate Housing Factory through the years…

Be smart, rent furniture.

At home with ease

www.in-lease.com • info@in-lease.com

INTRODUCTION 9

DEAR FRIENDS of Corporate Housing Factory,

This magazine celebrates a special occasion - the company’s 5th anniversary!

We invite you to look back on our first five years, a history of genuinely good times and success that is the well-earned result of hard work and the proverbial ‘blood, sweat and tears’.

Clichéd as it may sound, there really never is a dull moment in the office: from going the extra mile for our clients, launching new properties (and the challenges that this always throws up!), moving into a brand new office with the space to house a team that has tripled in size over these five years, the births of the first CHF babies, cracking jokes that only we find funny, whilst working overtime and epic Friday afternoon drinks. And all of this crowned by winning our very first ‘Team of the Year’ Award at the ASAP’s (Association of Serviced Apartment Providers) Award Show in London. Some credit has to go, of course, to the ludicrous quantities of unhealthy snacks we consume (sugar does help) and to our yoga sessions: yin and yang, you might say.

When I began at ‘the factory’ a little less than three years ago, it suddenly dawned on me: this is a place that feels like home.

The company has such a family feel that working here doesn’t feel like work. This inimitable vibe that can be found throughout the company is undoubtedly the key to our success and I am truly proud to help cultivate this atmosphere, day in, day out.

The mobility and serviced apartment industry is constantly evolving. However, one thing that has remained constant is our commitment to transforming this industry and the passion for providing our residents with a place that they can truly call home.

We hope you enjoy reading this anniversary magazine as much as we have enjoyed putting it together!

Eva Valkhoff - Marketing & Communications Manager

10 INTERVIEW

‘WE DO EVERYTHING TO REMAIN CONSTANTLY UP-TO-DATE’

Michael Berendsen and Jouke Baaima

INTERVIEW 11

‘WHEN YOU CONSIDER OUR HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, it’s clear we’ve been on an incredible journey’

12 INTERVIEW

‘NOW WE ARE TAKING CARE OF ALL CORPORATE HOUSING MATTERS FOR COMPANIES SUCH AS SHELL, NETFLIX AND GOOGLE’

This year, Michael Berendsen and Jouke Baaima celebrate their fifth year as owners of the Corporate Housing Factory.

During this time, the business has grown enormously and with two new brands - Corporate Housing Living and ServicedApartments.nl – there seems to be no imminent change of pace. The locating of corporate internationals is an extremely important undertaking these days, given the ever increasing pull of the Netherlands. Of course, these two gentlemen have had to deal with all manner of things in the course of these five years, and they are happy to share these experiences with us all. ‘We see our work as an expedition.

There is a mountain for us to climb together and we look around for people to join us on this journey of discovery’.

The company has existed for five years. How did you start out back then, and where is Corporate Housing Factory at nowadays?

Michael: ‘About five years ago we took a total of eight Vesteda employees with us to Corporate Housing Factory. It was a tense time, of course, but the transition went smoothly. We were able to continue in a nice office in the same building, called the New Amsterdam, on the Zuidas. Since then we have grown bigger, and nowadays we are renting a larger office space in the same building.’ Jouke: ‘We currently employ a staff of 34 and we have added more locations with nice apartments all through the Netherlands. In addition, we have now added two new brands: Corporate Housing Living and ServicedApartments.nl. That way we do everything to remain constantly up-to-date.’

Could you tell us something about these new brands?

Michael: ‘The www.servicedapartments.nl website contains details of 7,000 serviced apartments all over the Netherlands.

These apartments are offered by us and by our partners. The website ensures that we have a very big reach that extends to all regions of the Netherlands. This brand has made us the channel for locating corporate clients throughout the country.’ Jouke: ‘When we noticed the number of international professionals that had to stay in the Netherlands for a variety of extended periods, we decided to create Corporate Housing Living. Corporate professionals who come to Corporate Housing Living can find homes to rent for the longer term.

Corporate Housing Factory offered rental periods for between seven nights and six months; with Corporate Housing Living the rental term varies between six months and two years. We see in the Netherlands that corporates have an ever greater need for serviced apartments for a variety of rental periods.’

Do you notice certain trends in the expat market?

Michael: ‘The policy of businesses has changed and the emphasis is no longer on consumption. People all over are taking a look at how savings can reasonably be made, and environmental issues are increasing in importance.’ Jouke: ‘As a result, we are now involved in the transformation of an old Shell building in The Hague, looking closely at the issue of sustainability. In our apartments we use sustainable materials and search for furniture that we can re-use.’ Michael: ‘In

INTERVIEW 13

‘WE OFTEN TRAVEL TO THE US ON BUSINESS AND IT IS EXTRA SPECIAL WHEN WE TRAVEL TOGETHER’ Eindhoven we are currently working with The Dutch Mountains, which is a very sustainable project and entirely CO2 neutral. Our clients regard sustainability as a more important issue, and we certainly agree. I recently purchased an electric moped and we are looking to deploy more electric cars within our business.’

Where do you see the evidence that the Netherlands is popular with internationals?

Michael: ‘We see it in the numbers. We get many requests from large groups of corporate professionals. We are very enthusiastic about this development, of course, and so we are hard at work expanding the portfolios of Corporate Housing Factory and Corporate Housing Living.’ Jouke: ‘You realise that the focus is no longer on the Randstad only; now people are on the lookout for housing in the rest of the country as well.

In all regions of the Netherlands there are developments underway. There’s no sign of this growth ending in the short term. The Netherlands are an attractive place for international professionals. It is clean here, politically stable, the tax climate is favourable for multinationals, and there is a good standard of international schools. Furthermore, the pull of Amsterdam remains enormous.’

What have been the highlights of the last five years?

Jouke: ‘The launch of Corporate Housing Factory on 1 January 2013 was naturally a highlight. We could finally spread our wings.’ Michael: ‘After five years of negotiations we were able to close a big international deal with a large global booker. That was a huge coup, but now we are taking care of all corporate housing matters for companies such as Shell, Netflix and Google. We never say ‘no’ and that’s why clients like to work with us.’ Jouke: ‘Another highlight was winning the ‘Best Team of The Year’ award. We picked up this award in London, sitting alongside big international serviced apartment providers. So it was a very special moment.’ Michael: ‘Such international recognition was certainly extremely cool. Our staff are very

important to us and for that reason it was certainly a highlight when they gave us a very good appraisal as employer in a staff questionnaire. I even got emotional reading the comments.’

Jouke: ‘When you put everything together, it’s clear that we are on a wonderful journey.’

Do you look forward to every day at the office?

Jouke: ‘Absolutely! As we say, we are sharing some special times.

We often travel to the US on business and it is extra special when we travel together. I think it’s great that we are creating something unique and that our products are so enthusiastically received. We kind of see this company as our baby.’ Michael: ‘I love pioneering work. Our work doesn’t stop in the Netherlands.

Instead we continue forwards into other countries where there are genuine demands. There are so many interesting aspects to this job: the international side, the people who inspire us, the loyalty of your staff… I am passionate about people and I like looking after them. Accommodation is an important element, because people should feel happy here.’ Jouke: ‘We see our work as an expedition. There is a mountain for us to climb together and we are excited to collaborate on this journey of discovery.’ We discover the unknown and enjoy taking our team along with us.’

Text: Romy Lange - Photography: Lotte de Graaf

erac

re

SOCIAL MEDIA 15

BE SOCIAL STAY UP TO DATE AND FOLLOW US ON @corporatehousingfactory @corporatehousingliving @ServicedApartments.nl

16 TIPS & TRICKS

5 Personalise WAYS TO

YOUR EXPAT RENTAL

At Corporate Housing Factory we know how it feels to be “at home”, and even though we pride ourselves on the places we offer, we appreciate how difficult it can be to feel at home, however nice your expat rental is.

But we also know how to help with these five easy tips.

TIP#01 THE SMELL OF HOME You walk into your house, you take a deep breath, that special smell enters your nostrils - that’s the moment your house turns into a home.

Bring that smell with you. Use scented candles, scent dispensers, or cook the meals that make your house smell like a home.

TIP#02

MEMORIES We all love to be reminded of the wonderful things we have experienced, the people we love, and the memories we shared with our family. What better way to feel loved, and subsequently at home, than to look into the eyes of your loved ones or to see an item that reminds you of a great day out with your friends? Display pictures of your friends and family in your new home where they can cheer you up every day.

TIPS & TRICKS 17

TIP#03 SHOPPING FOR THE SOUL What better way to improve in your home than to go shopping and put something new in your living room, bedroom, or wherever you please. Do this in your new home as well. Decorate it with some beautiful things you bought locally and enjoy them daily.

TIP#04 THE WARDROBE When you are at home, do you grab something out of your suitcase, put it on, and then zip the suitcase back up? No! So why do it when you are in one of our serviced apartments? Instead, take everything out of your suitcase, fill the wardrobe the way you like, and start feeling like you belong in your new home.

TIP #05

BRING THE OUTSIDE IN We all love having some nature in our lives. Go to your local flower shop, find something that you like and set it up in your new home. But, if this idea has you thinking, I have no time to take care of plants, fear not: cacti can be beautiful and require very little care!

18 SERVICED APARTMENTS

ServicedApartments.nl THE BOOKINGS PLATFORM FOR SERVICED APARTMENTS IN THE NETHERLANDS If you are looking for a serviced apartment in the Netherlands, then ServicedApartments.nl is the ideal solution. With over 7,000 homes across the Netherlands to choose from there is an apartment for everyone, an apartment to meet every family situation. Our simple booking system is supported by a professional team focused on helping you find the perfect apartment.

With just a couple of clicks you will have booked and rented a home! ServicedApartments.nl was created to respond to the increasing demand for temporary accommodation. Â ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR THE BUSINESS MARKET ServicedApartments.nl is a onestop-shop for the business market.

Nationwide, it offers a large selection of serviced apartments of all types and sizes. All of our apartments combine a homely feel with the comfort of a hotel.

A wide variety of partners have now signed up to the platform, which means that not only has the available choice of apartment grown significantly, but the choice extends to more towns and cities throughout the country. This is an ideal situation for people involved in international business.

TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION Business clients may rely on ServicedApartments.nl in their search for temporary accommodation. The apartments are fully furnished and offer the services you would expect of a hotel, such as a WiFi connection and

SERVICED APARTMENTS 19

weekly cleaning. The driving force behind the organization is the Commercial Desk, consisting of a strong team. The tasks of the Commercial Desk include the finalising of all bookings. This is a small team with big ambitions, which strives first and foremost for a top-quality service. At each request for accommodation, the team will search for the best solution.

AMBITIONS FOR GROWTH For the time being, the ambitions of ServicedApartments.nl are focused mostly on the supply of accommodation in the Netherlands. However, the scope of our work will soon cross international borders. The world is growing ever smaller: people regularly fly to London to attend meetings, or there may be conferences to attend in South Africa. And there is a corresponding trend for these travellers to want to feel at home wherever they unpack their suitcases. This offers an exciting challenge for ServicedApartments.nl. Â

Over 7,000 homes throughout the Netherlands to choose from

ServicedApartments.nl www.servicedapartments.nl + 31 (0)20-723 3490 info@servicedapartments.nl

20 PROPERTY

Property for rent

Corporate Housing Factory offers high quality serviced apartments in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Eindhoven. Always conveniently located with easy access to the city center, main business areas, airports and public transportation.

FALCON LIVING | AMSTERDAM

HOGE DUIN | THE HAGUE FALCON LIVING | AMSTERDAM

NEW AMSTERDAM | AMSTERDAM

HARTJE GENT | EINDHOVEN

PROPERTY 21

LA FENÊTRE | THE HAGUE

GERSHWIN APARTMENTS | AMSTERDAM

NEW ORLEANS | ROTTERDAM

NEW AMSTERDAM | AMSTERDAM

LA FENÊTRE | THE HAGUE

NEW ORLEANS | ROTTERDAM

COLUMN 23

HOW TIME

flies

I had only just returned to the Netherlands when the Corporate Housing Factory fell into my lap!

Two weeks after finding my way out of the ancient rainforests of New Zealand, I walked into a new job in the modern forest of the exciting new development that is Zuidas. The interview process convinced me that I had to get this job; who wouldn’t want to work for a company that uses speed-date interviews to get to know you? And I got it!

Following my gut has never before been so rewarding. I felt from the start that this would be an exciting place to work, but I hadn’t expected to find a second family here, not to mention a major career boost. And I guess the bi-weekly neck massages and Friday afternoon drinks aren’t all that shabby either.

Time flies when you’re having fun, and out of the 312 days that I’ve worked at Corporate Housing Factory there have been only 3 days that have dragged by rather than flown.

I can’t wait to see how Corporate Housing Factory continues its adventure over the next five years and what we can accomplish with our ‘Team of the Year’.

Anjani de Graaf - Team Reservations Manager

24 REFERENCES

Customers about CORPORATE HOUSING FACTORY

REFERENCES 25

“It hurts a little to say it from Rotterdam

but Amsterdam is the

centre of the world for corporate housing. Whether if it is meant for New York, Rotterdam or Hong Kong, just call 020 and everything will be taken care of. Congratulations with the first 5 years, hopefully there will be many successful years to follow!”

Marion Sörman - Robeco

“Corporate Housing Factory means a great home away from home for our guests. They really understand our company’s needs”.

Estrella Guadron van Rooijen - IMC

“Feels like I know the people I am in contact with personally.

They are fast, think along and ahead and are always willing to go the extra mile!

Apartments are beautiful!

Highly recommended for all corporates.”

Roos Kaarsgaarn - Optiver

“This is the company we prefer to work with! The people are nice, the location is perfect and the apartments in Amsterdam are top-notch!”

Stephan van Steenveldt – Stage Entertainment

26 TIPS

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR CORPORATE

Travel Adventure

The dream job for many people is one that includes regular travel. For about two years now, Emma Cruwys has worked for Corporate Housing Factory, her job as revenue manager entails regular flights to London to discuss new developments and new properties with clients. This is a trip that Emma makes several times per year, always accompanied by her favorite things.

WHAT CAN EMMA NOT DO WITHOUT ON HER TRAVELS? Sneakers & pumps Her Ray-Ban sunglasses

TIPS 27

Emma:

“Several times a year I hop over to London with our director Jouke Baaima to attend meetings or trade fairs. The trip allows us to talk face to face with parties that we work alongside. We regularly participate in inspiring meetings with other international serviced apartment providers and return home with new ideas.”

Black dress

Make-up

(always smart attire for drinks or dinner)

Emma: “I love London. The

visit always keeps you focused, because there’s only a limited time span in which to achieve many things. You finally meet face-to-face with people you have frequently spoken on the phone with, or with whom you exchanged a lot of emails.

This makes the work more enjoyable and relaxed.”

Handbag

Laptop

Moleskine Notebook

Day cream

& dry shampoo

Mobile phone charger “On the return journey I always buy a bunch of British gossip magazines.”

Emma:

“I always pack my case in the same methodical way so I can skip through customs at Schiphol quickly. I prefer to wear sneakers so that I can dash through the London underground along with the commuters.

At the last moment before an appointment, I put on my smart heels.”

Emma Cruwys - revenue manager

Zuidas Travel.nl

Top hotels worldwide

We have the lowest hotel rates for you!

www.zuidastravel.nl World Trade Center

020-6621504

Visit us on Facebook.com/ ZuidasTravel.nl

info@zuidastravel.nl

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TRAVEL 29

All suitcases are available via www.travelbags.nl

30 FOOD

Corporate Foodies We at Corporate Housing Factory are proud to call ourselves ‘foodies’.

Detox salads, the peanut butter dilemma, avocado dip and nachos...

The spread on our lunch table offers a bit of everything!

Using cream cheese as butter (our male colleagues)

s lad iets) a s ed tox De n juic ays eve holid d n (a after

A spicy chicken roll from Dickies remains the most popular take-away roll. If one person asks for a spicy chicken roll, half the company demand the same thing (and forget about the lunches they have brought in from home)

Peanut butter - smooth or crunchy?

It’s a question we would like to ask at job interviews

Almost all of us drink sparkling water at lunch time (our standard beverage) At the start of the week almost everyone conscientiously brings a packed lunch to work. By the end of the week almost all of us are buying something to eat.

The Poke Bowl from Market 33 is a current favourite... although not with the men

FOOD 31

Eva’s recipe Grilled vegetable salad SERVES 4

Eva van Zijl (Manager finance and legal) is a thoroughbred foodie and is happy to share her favorite recipes with us!

We all eat around a large wooden dining table (where the roars of laughter stop anyone still actually trying to work)

Eva’s top 10 RESTAURANTS IN AMSTERDAM

Avocados remain a popular choice

01. Breda 02. Kaagman

& Kortekaas 03. Rijks

Nachos straight out of the oven from Vrijmibo with a special dip of mascarpone and chilli sauce, alongside a cheese board, is also a winner

New to CHF: Nutella (the giga-pot emptied very quickly...)

...our men prefer to eat meat, from (sometimes even home-made) meatballs to grilled sausage with cheese, and hot dogs with truffle mayonnaise from Vrijmibo, while the girls try to limit their meat consumption or even have gone vegetarian or vegan.

04. Wijmpje Beukers 05. De Kas 06. Wilde Zwijnen 07. Petit Caron 08. Toscanini 09. Volt 10. Renato’s Osteria

• 1 courgette • 1 aubergine • Bunch of green asparagus • Young spinach leaves • 1 tin of chick peas • Green olives • Salt, pepper • Cayenne pepper • Olive oil • Sesame oil

1. Heat the oven to 200 degrees.

2. Drain the tin of chick peas, rinse them and put them in an oven-proof dish 3. Drizzle the chick peas with olive oil and a little cayenne pepper (careful with the cayenne pepper!)

4. Put the chick peas in the oven for

20 to 25 minutes. Regularly stir

them during the cooking time.

5. Thinly slice the courgette and aubergine and marinade the slices in a little olive oil seasoned with salt and pepper.

6. Grill the courgette and aubergine on a grill pan for about 5 minutes, and then leave to cool on a plate.

7. Snap off the tough ends of the green asparagus and marinade the asparagus in sesame oil.

8. Grill the asparagus in the grill pan for between 5 and 7 minutes.

9. Take a nice serving bowl. Put the young spinach leaves in the bottom. Arrange the grilled vegetables around the bowl.

Decorate the salad with the chick peas and green olives and just before serving finish with a drizzle of olive oil.

QUALITY IS THE BEST BUSINESSPLAN

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TRAVEL 33

34 CORPORATE HOUSING LIVING

CORPORATE HOUSING LIVING’S

‘Falcon Living’ COMBINES LOCATION WITH CONVENIENCE

CORPORATE HOUSING LIVING 35

Heather Tucker

The launch of Corporate Housing Factory’s new label, Corporate Housing Living, lets medium to long-stay corporate internationals live more like locals.

Company co-owners Michael Berendsen and Jouke Baaima have been in the serviced apartment industry for many years.

Seeing the industry grow and evolve, they saw the time fit to introduce a new label.

“Even though our residents are here to work, they still want to discover Dutch life and live like a local as well. We get that, and that’s why our product is created in such a way that our residents have time go explore.”

ENVIABLE LIVING SPACE If the first apartment, one of the planned Falcon Living residences is anything to go by, Corporate Housing Living is on to a real winner. High ceilings lend the apartment a spacious and open feel. While the open plan kitchen, fully equipped with everything you might need, including refrigerator, dishwasher, coffeemaker, oven/microwave, kettle, and toaster, is the perfect spot for creating a dinner masterpiece for friends or a quick meal for yourself.

The living room is equally as inviting, and comes complete with a smart TV and HEOS wireless speaker system, making it the perfect spot for relaxing at the end of the day. Or you could head outside onto the private terrace with its fantastic views of the canal.

The apartment features three bedrooms: two large ones with plenty of closet space and a double (king-size) bed, and one smaller bedroom with a queen bed. The main, modern bathroom has a shower, double sink, and toilet. The apartment also features an extra (separate) toilet with sink in the hallway.

A washer and dryer can be found in a separate storage room.

But perhaps the best feature of this city apartment is how peaceful and quiet it is even though it’s located in the city centre. Now that’s a feature anyone would pay extra for!

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Everyone knows, the better the location, the harder a property is to secure. That makes Corporate Housing Living properties even more exciting.

The new Falcon Living apartments, for example, are perfectly located in Amsterdam’s city centre, just 10 minutes from

36 EDITORIAL

Amsterdam Central Station, in the old Jewish quarter.

While that makes it the perfect location for spending a lazy day off at one of the nearby museums or meeting up with friends in the evening at the National Opera and Ballet, it equally makes it the ideal location for feeling like a local. Waterlooplein, with its regular market, can become part of your daily grocery shopping routine, excellent public transport links will ensure you can explore the city at leisure, and with dining and shopping opportunities all around, you’ll get to know and pick your the local favourites the way you did back home.

BETTER TOGETHER The combination of local living and serviced apartments is no doubt bound to be popular with international corporate travellers. Weekly cleaning, included utilities, and furnished spaces are enjoyable as it is. Add to that a luxurious living space in the heart of a major city and your expat adventure goes up a notch on the enjoyment and experience scale.

Text: Heather Tucker

Since 1984 Sea Palace, with her characteristic Chinese pagoda

serve traditional dim sum, house made by our dimsum chefs.

style architecture, is a landmark in the heart of Amsterdam. Enjoy

The quality of our food is one of our main priorities. Therefore

our authentic cuisine in an oriental ambiance. Our specialties are

we take care in selecting our ingredients and suppliers.

the Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine. But many guests also love

Experience the mystical Chinese surroundings while at the

our Beijing duck, hot pot or seafood, such as lobster. We also

same time enjoying the typical skyline of Amsterdam.

OPENING HOURS: 7 DAYS A WEEK 12.00 PM - 22.30 PM Oosterdokskade 8

•

1011 AE Amsterdam (Near the central station)

•

020 626 47 77

•

info@seapalace.nl

•

www.seapalace.nl

38 SUSTAINABLE HOTSPOTS

The Netherlands invests heavily in sustainability. Windmills, solar panels, electric cars and more. To us at Corporate Housing Factory ‘sustainability’ is an important concept, so we have compiled a list of the nicest sustainability hotspots in the country. These places certainly deserve a visit!

DE GROENE PASSAGE - ROTTERDAM De Groene Passage is the only shopping centre devoted exclusively to shops and activities that are good for you, good for others, and good for the planet. This is the one-stop shop for anyone who opts for a sustainable, happy, and healthy lifestyle. At De Groene Passage you can find household items and groceries, you can visit for a drink, lunch, or a quiet morning, and you can shop around... www.degroenepassage.nl

RESTAURANT BOLENIUS - AMSTERDAM Celebrated restaurant Bolenius is located between the office blocks and architectural high-rise apartment blocks on the Amsterdam Zuidas. Nestled between these modern buildings, the sleekly-styled restaurant exudes a refreshing, modern-day vibe. The ‘eat local’ concept adopted by Bolenius is put into practice by having the vegetable and herb garden located right next to the restaurant. Each day fresh vegetables and herbs are picked and served from this garden. The restaurant has earned a Michelin star. www.bolenius-restaurant.nl

SUSTAINABLE HOTSPOTS 39

CIRCL – AMSTERDAM Circl is a pavilion of the Zuidas created by ABN AMRO bank for sharing knowlege about circularity and for providing customers with good advice on the matter. The building is constructed along the principles of sustainability and circularity. Circl is an energy-efficient design that can be dismantled so as to have as little impact on the planet as possible. Circl is a living lab, where anyone can come to share good ideas about sustainability and circularity, to eat, have a drink, and socialise. www.circl.nl

KOKOTOKO - GRONINGEN KOKOTOKO is a place where you can shop with a clear conscience. All products are produced with care, attention, love for life, and our future in mind. This means that virtually the entire product range is certified fair trade and organic. You can find men’s and women’s clothing, accessories to go with an outfit, things for the home, useful containers for take-away lunches, and cards and posters from local Groningen designers. www.kokotoko.nl

NUKUHIVA - UTRECHT Fair fashion & Sustainable products: these are the principles behind Nukuhiva. Nukuhiva makes a deliberate choice for fashion labels that produce clothes in a way that respects man and nature. We only sell brands that produce goods under fairtrade principles. Often these brands also attach a great deal of importance to sustainability. The majority of the clothing is produced from organic cotton, lyocell, hemp and other natural materials. Whether you are looking for something rugged, or something chic, something sporty or something classical, you can always find what you are looking for at Nukuhiva. www.nukuhiva.nl

40 SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS

NEW

PROJECTS HOGE DUIN SERVICED APARTMENTS IN THE HAGUE Corporate Housing Factory will be renting out 14 short stay Serviced Apartments as well as two guest rooms meant for business travelers in the new Park Hoog Oostduin (the former Shell building) in The Hague.

Bouwinvest has leased approximately 1,095 square metres of living space to Corporate Housing Factory in its Park Hoog Oostduin building, which is located at the edge of the Oostduin-Arendsdorp country estate in the heart of Benoordenhout. The luxury apartments, located close to The Hague’s downtown and Scheveningen beach, will match the full service package that all international professionals have come to expect from Corporate Housing Factory.

More information: corporatehousing factory.com/lafenetre

SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS 41

THE DUTCH MOUNTAINS SERVICED APARTMENTS IN EINDHOVEN The Dutch Mountains are here to surprise the world.

An innovative interactive environment in the region of Eindhoven which also happens to be the largest wooden building in the world. The building will be completed in 2021. Its creators describe it as a landscape for living and working. The building is located along the A2 and will comprise not only beautiful apartments, but also a range of public facilities. It will even boast a park. The structure is maximally self-sufficient, and will include closed circuits for energy, water, refuse, and materials.

The concept is designed to encourage renewal so that each element - from catering to windows, to even the shell of the building – continues to develop and add value for owner, occupier and visitor alike.

More information: corporatehousing factory.com

NDI ICT SOLTUTIONS Do you have a separate supplier and corresponding contacts and specialists for every single ICT service? Would you prefer a central point of contact for all your ICT-related issues? If so, NDI is perfect for you.

SINCE FIVE YEAR S PROUD ICT PARTNER OF CORPORATE HOUSING FACTORY

WHAT YOU GET

“One-stop shop’ ’

NDI lightens the load. We prevent ICT from ever becoming a burden to your organisation. If broken computers, a slow internet connection or safeguarding the security of your data are consuming your time, we are the partner you’ve been looking for.

Our basic principle is that you should only need to be concerned with the aspects of your core business. We make that possible.

Whether you have your own ICT department or not, NDI provides support, service and advice on all ICT matters.

You are always busy achieving your corporate objectives. A longterm strategy demands quite a lot from your organisation and as such, from your ICT. Arranging information streams, automating processes, and communications are crucial aspects in reaching

HIGHLIGHTS • ONE-STOP SHOP: ALL ICT SERVICES UNDER A SINGLE ROOF • ISO 27001 CERTIFIED • AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK • 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE • 4 BRANCHES • MORE THAN 70 MEMBERS OF STAFF your goals. We understand this and think along with your organization, so that together, we can implement the systems that meet your needs.

Chris van Hattum, NDI ICT Solutions: “Our clients are professionals who put increasingly high demands on the security, mobility simplicity and continuity of their ICT environments. They can’t get into the nitty-gritty details of technology nor do they want to.

Also, they are willing to pay for solutions that contribute to their primary processes and operating results, and are looking for a partner who takes an active approach, and who works from the inside out NDI!”

Strawinskylaan 203 1077 XX Amsterdam 088-0884300 www.ndi.nl

PERFECT PLACES TO LIVE IN

OFFICE ZUIDAS Claude Debussylaan 134 1082 MD Amsterdam

OFFICE CITY CENTRE Keizersgracht 433 1017 DJ Amsterdam

CONTACT +31 (0)20-2159988 info@von-poll.nl

IN THE BEST LOCATIONS FOR YOU

W W W.VON-POLL .NL Residential real estate agents

44 COLUMN

10 REASONS TO LIVE ABROAD AT LEAST once

in your life

by Marcelle Mudde

Before I moved to Cape Town, I had a great life in the Netherlands, but it was always quite predictable. I had a good job as a marketeer for one of the country’s biggest women’s magazines. Whenever I went on holiday, I had the time of my life. It was always great to get away, to rest and recuperate on the beach, or to go and explore new places.

TAKING THE PLUNGE I’d been to Cape Town on holiday and it was one of those places where I’d found the kind of lifestyle that really appealed to me.

I spent days walking around on my slippers among the palm trees, enjoying the superb weather, and eating the freshest and most delicious food. Having spent seven years doing the same job, I often dreamed of living that lifestyle in such a beautiful place on a more permanent basis. Eventually, I decided to take the plunge.

10 PHASES, 10 REASONS And so I gave up my safe, little life for a new world full of adventure. In 2016 I moved to Cape Town with my partner.

Here are the ten phases I went through, which are also my ten reasons to live abroad (or at least spend an extended period away from home).

COLUMN 45

Reason No. 1

IT’S A THRILL! It can be tough at first, adjusting to new surroundings, a different culture, new languages and people, a new house, and so on. It takes time to find your feet, but as soon as you take those first baby steps outside your comfort zone and you manage to stay on your feet, it really is a thrill!

Reason No. 2

Reason No. 6 YOU LIVE MORE SPONTANEOUSLY! It was more difficult to live spontaneously back home, because it always took a lot of planning to see all of my old friends, plus my new friends, plus (former) colleagues, plus family and inlaws. So my schedule was always fully booked. Once you arrive in your new country and you’re building a new social circles, it becomes easier to live your life more spontaneously.

IT MAKES YOU FEEL ALIVE! I firmly believe that you only feel truly alive when you have control over your circumstances. If you’re living abroad and have to make choices - however simple or scary they may be - it gives you a great feeling every time you choose. By choosing consciously, you become more aware of your actions, which really gives you a feeling that you’re awake, that you’re alive! It’s very addictive!

Reason No. 7

Reason No. 3

Reason No. 8

YOU GET TO KNOW YOURSELF REALLY WELL! It may sound obvious, but wherever you may go in the world, you always take yourself along. Are you a patient person? Are you the kind who asks for help sometimes? Or are you more likely to offer help to others? When you live abroad, you need to fend for yourself, which means you really get to know yourself intimately. What I’ve learned is that things often don’t go as planned. The only thing you really have control over is how you respond to this- how you cope.

Reason No. 4

YOU LEARN THAT YOU CAN FEEL AT HOME SOMEWHERE ELSE! Because you’re now experiencing the country as a local, who has adjusted to the new culture, language and surroundings, you learn that you can feel at home in others places. That’s a wonderful lesson to learn, because it opens up a new world of opportunities.

Reason No. 5

YOU BECOME LESS MATERIALISTIC! To be brutally honest, back in the Netherlands, I usually spent most of my money on stuff before my salary was deposited.

All those lovely goodies can be quite tempting if you work in the magazine industry, but once you live abroad, you seem to become less materialistic. Nowadays, I prefer to save my money for trips and travel - real experiences - rather than buying all the latest stuff.

YOU LEARN A LOT ABOUT QUALITY TIME! On the downside, you lose a lot of moments with your best friends and family when you choose to live your new and adventurous life. Whenever you do get to chat with one another long-distance, those moments become so much more valuable! And once you return home - even if it’s only for a brief visit - you really choose to spend time with someone.

YOU LEARN WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU! So you’ve learned that your new hobbies really give you energy; you’ve learned to give yourself more space; you’ve learned that living spontaneously really suits you; and you’re having deeper conversations with family and friends than ever before.

In short, being away helps you realise what you really find important, your values.

Reason No. 9

YOU GROW AS A PERSON! When you’ve detached yourself from the safety of your home life, you step out of your comfort zone. Things you initially thought would be really scary become an ordinary part of your life and personality. That means you’ve grown as a person.

Reason No. 10

YOU BECOME MORE SELF-CONFIDENT! And last but not least, all of these experiences help you grow as a person, which makes you more self-confident. That really is the coolest thing about the whole experience: you learn to believe in yourself. You now know that you can build up a completely new life somewhere else. That’s something no one can ever take away from you.

You can follow Marcelles adventures on Instagram: @marcellemudde or read her blogs via blog.klm.com

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TIPS 47

5 Apps

HELPFUL

WHEN STARTING YOUR EXPAT LIFE IN THE NETHERLANDS

Are you moving to the Netherlands to begin your expat life? Wouldn’t it be great to have someone follow you everywhere, helping you figure out the language, food, transportation, and all the other things you need to learn? While that’s probably not feasible, your phone can do a lot of that for you with just a few simple apps-you’ll be living like a native in no time!

OV9292 Everything you want to plan, when using public transport, you can plan with this app. Whether you intend to travel by boat, train, or metro, you can always check for information on the ov9292 planner. Provided, of course, that your smartphone or other portable device has a wireless internet connection.

THUISBEZORGD Finding expat life a tad busy and don’t feel like cooking? One simple app to find all the restaurants in your area that deliver is called Thuisbezorgd. This highly-rated app lets you order securely with a credit card, iDEAL, or PayPal (you can also pay cash at the door). Browse through the culinary options or narrow them down by cuisine. Just don’t forget to save your favourites.

GOOGLE MAPS The same app you likely use at home is used by many in the Netherlands, too. Just like always, you can use the navigation to quickly find your way around. Always a great app to have with you when you are in unfamiliar territory.

APPIE The largest Dutch supermarket chain, Albert Heijn, developed this app to help you cook meals at home. Choose healthy ingredients, find recipes, create a shopping list, and even have your groceries delivered.

THE DUTCH ENGLISH DICTIONARY & TRANSLATOR Although English is available in many parts of the Netherlands, it’s always convenient to speak the language, especially if you want to enrich your expat life. This app features detailed definitions and example sentences, related searches, an advanced analyser, favourites, search history, flashcards for learning, and phonetics to help with pronunciation.

BUIENRADAR The weather in the Netherlands is anything but predictable. Therefore, a great weather app that will help you decide if you should bring sunglasses, an umbrella, or both, is essential.

You’re about to improve your performance with Maxxton’s ERP Technology

Property management

Dynamic pricing

Online booking

Reporting

Channel management

CRM

Business intelligence

and so much more

At Maxxton we have developed our ERP system with leading Accommodation rental groups, building on the know-how gained throughout 18 years of working as hospitality business consultants.

Want to know more?

Please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0044 121 222 5125 or send an email to marketing@maxxton.com

The hospitality industry can do better

www.maxxton.com

AGENDA 49

There’s a party going on ‘Just act normal. That’s crazy enough.’ The Dutch people may to act normally, but they also like to party. Here are a few events in the Netherlands that you won’t want to miss!

CARNIVAL At the end of February/beginning of March of each year, the south of the Netherlands is swept off its feet by Carnival.

Originally a pagan festival adopted by Christianity, Carnival precedes the 40 day fasting period of Lent: a celebration of fun, frolics and indulgence that is in stark contrast to the sobriety of Lent. During Carnival you will see people in the most imaginative and colourful of costumes. For three days and three nights local towns and villages enjoy a non-stop party.

KING’S DAY – 27 APRIL King’s Day is a national holiday in the Netherlands in honour of our king, Willem Alexander. On his birthday, 27 April, the whole of the country goes wild. The day is celebrated with various festivities, such as street markets. The country and its people are decorated in orange. The King and his family visit a town somewhere in the country, that varies each year.

©Nationale Viering Bevrijding 2018 - Photo: Ben Houdijk

LIBERATION DAY – 5 MAY Liberation Day on 5 May is a national commemoration of the liberation of the Netherlands from German occupation, and of the Dutch East Indies from Japanese occupation, in 1945.

On this day we pause to reflect on the important values of freedom, democracy, and human rights. Festivals and concerts are held throughout the country.

SINTERKLAAS Sinterklaas is the star of the event celebrated on 5 December. Sinterklaas is a dignified old man sporting a white beard, red bishop’s mitre and cloak. He rides a white horse and is surrounded by helpers (all called Piet). On 5 December, Sinterklaas and his Piets bring gifts to Dutch children. During the celebration a lot of ‘pepernoten’ and ‘chocoladeletters’ are consumed!

• Specialist in the short-term and long-term

VERRA Real Estate is recognised for its knowledge in fields including the law, and

accommodation lets to expats; • Property management on behalf of

for the quality of its unrivalled personal

property owners at both financial and

service. Through our extensive network

technical level;

of international companies we have

• Home finding services for relocation businesses and international companies; • Sale and purchase services for expats and home owners; • An experienced and reliable player in the expat markets of The Hague and Rotterdam.

VERRA Real Estate Den Haag Eisenhowerlaan 116 2517 KM DEN HAAG 070 346 21 31

grown into the largest expat real estate agent in South Holland.

The real estate agent that goes the extra mile.

VERRA Real Estate.

VERRA Real Estate Rotterdam Goudsesingel 71 3031 EE ROTTERDAM 010 333 21 81

www.verrarealestate.com

52 MOVED

Corporate Housing Factory has

MOVED HOME

In August 2018 Corporate Housing Factory moved to an ultra-new and modern office on the Zuidas! The new premises are light, spacious and comfortable. We asked some staff members what they think of their new workplace on Gustav Mahlerlaan.

“You can concentrate really well in this new office, because everyone has their own quiet corner to work in. The layout is light and airy, and the interior design very attractive. We have a comfortable room where we can all eat lunch together. It’s a nice way to divide up the day!”

Vera Mulders - Service Host

MOVED 53 “In my view our new home is just brilliant!

Our business is growing by the day and now we have ‘room to grow’ even more.

The sky is the limit! And this goes for the buildings housing the apartments on offer as well as for CHF itself! Within our company we focus on finding serviced apartments for a very diverse client base.

We noticed from the start that people with an international background or ambition automatically feel at home in Zuidas. They see it as a place to live and a place to work. It feels really good to be able to be a part of the most international district of a metropole like Amsterdam!

CHF The Zuidas, and so do I!”

Thijs Blom - Reservations Coordinator

“Our relocation was a good development. Even though we had a fantastic view from the 15th floor, back in our old office, we had simply outgrown the place. We needed a new location with more space where everyone could have their own permanent workplace.

Now the Reservations team has its own room. This means that other sections of the company will be less bothered by the constant ringing of the telephone.”

Laila Ras - Reservations Coordinator

“Our change of home was an indication of how much the team has grown. I like my new workplace very much. We are blessed with a lot of daylight and as we are located on the first floor, we are able to share much more of life in Zuidas. It’s really interesting!”

Paulina Ververda - Reservations Supervisor

“Our old office was great as it gave us such a wonderful view from the 15th foor.

However, our new location has been a good move, because over recent years the busines has expanded considerably.

My new workplace is well organised and provides piece and quiet, so our service desk team is able to focus better.”

Cindy Dissels - Service Manager

New address

GUSTAV MAHLERLAAN 50B 1082 ME AMSTERDAM TEL. 088 116 9500

54 TEAM

From top to bottom from left to right: Jouke Baaima, Anjani de Graaf, Michael Berendsen, Fernanda Furlanetto, Eva Valkhoff, Alexandra Kinsella, Joanne Schram, Maxime Bierman, Emma Cruwys, Milena Oluic, Susanne Bons, Els Brouwer, Cindy Dissels, Paulina Ververda, Thijs Blom, Jody van der Duin, Maurice Noten, Eva van Zijl

TEAM 55

Welcome to Woonmode!

Woonmode is proud to be a long-

serves private and commercial

our products. Our quality is highly

standing partner of Corporate

customers all over the Randstad.

appreciated, as evidenced by the

Housing Factory for the supply

In addition to the advice and

many positive reviews from our

and installation of floor and and

inspiration on offer at our showroom,

customers, which you can read

window coverings.

our advisers are also willing to share

on our Facebook page

their specialist knowledge on site

(www.facebook.com/woonmode).

Since 1985 we have been the

regarding, for example, to technical

biggest specialist provider for floor

matters, colour schemes and project

For more information about

coverings, curtains, sun blinds,

management.

Woonmode, go to our website

and wall coverings to dress up

at www.woonmode.nl. If you are

the interiors of residential and

We act as a dealer for all reputable

interested in a partnership with

commercial accommodation and

brands and manufacturers,

Woonmode or you think we might be

projects. Operating from our large

and deploy our own, in-house

able to help you, we will be glad to

showroom in Rijswijk, Woonmode

professional team for working with

hear from you!

W W W.W O O N M O D E . N L

PHOTOS 57

Corporate Housing Factory through the years…

WORK HARD, play hard(er)!

58 PHOTOS

CORPORATE HOUSING FACTORY

through the years…

YOU’LL GET A TASTE OF DUTCH HISTORY WITH US.

OPENING HOURS

MODERN DUTCH CLASSICS

7 days a week 5 am till 10.30 am

You’ll find the very best of Dutch culture at Restaurant Lt. Cornelis.

LOCATION

We believe that traditions should be preserved and it is our mission

Voetboogstraat 13

to enable all to experience the absolute delights of Dutch cuisine.

1012XK Amsterdam

Our cuisine playfully pays tribute to the old Dutch classics with a modern twist. We use honest, seasonal and local products.

CONTACT

By combining the current with the past along with a warm and

Reservations 020 261 48 63

friendly service, we pride ourselves on offering our guests a

Info@restaurantcornelis.amsterdam

unforgettable Dutch experience.

www.restaurantcornelis.amsterdam

Unwind after a day’s work

in one of our serviced apartments.

Looking for a place to call home for a while? Our serviced apartments are the accommodation of choice for business travelers and expats who are staying in the Netherlands for a minimum of 6 months. The apartments are ideal for longer

stays as they offer a great amount of space, privacy and freedom. The luxurious furnishings, the independence to cook your own meals and all the amenities you could ask for, will make you feel right at home!

www.corporatehousingliving.com