Hello Zuidas maart/april 2023

SUZANNE KWAKKERNAAT

CHIEF OF BUSINESS SUPPORT, HOSPITALITY AND FACILITIES AT DE BRAUW BLACKSTONE WESTBROEK

“RELOCATING TO TRIPOLIS-PARK FITS THE WORKPLACE DYNAMICS OF DE BRAUW AT THIS MOMENT”

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Unique expert perspectives on the future of real estate

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PREFACE A VISIT WITH EEFJE VOOGD

Inside her apartment, sky high in 900Mahler on Gustav Mahlerlaan, Eefje Voogd and I contemplated the surrounding towers. Around a year and a half ago, her real estate agency, Eefje Voogd Makelaardij, was acquired by the world’s largest real estate services company, CBRE. She is still closely involved as director and has no plans to quit any time soon. “It’s great to see big construction projects picking up again”, she said, “because they’re urgently needed in Zuidas. Watching the skyline, you can see lots of projects we were or are involved in either brokering or consulting. That’s always an incredible feeling.”

Eefje is a familiar face in Zuidas and a happy local resident. “I’m also excited about what’s happening over in Ravel. That will be a low-traffic, green, mixed-use residential neighbourhood in the heart of Zuidas, mainly for families with children. It will be such an amazing addition to this area.”

This issue of Hello Zuidas is devoted to real estate. As much as we’d love to know what the near future holds on that front, we didn’t get any one final answer. We also talked to Suzanne Kwakkernaat, head of Business Support at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek. They are looking forward to their relocation next year, from central Zuidas to Tripolis-Park, though, as Suzanne explained, getting everything ready is also a complex puzzle.

Our next issue of Hello Zuidas will shine a spotlight on Talent & Education. Have you got something you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you!

Happy reading!

ROMY LANGE

Editor-in-chief Hello Zuidas

r.lange@zuidaspublishers.nl

Next issue [67]

9th of May 2023

Hello Zuidas invests in trees! How we do that?

Through our sponsorship for Trees for All, we plant trees that restore existing forests.

Our first Members Meeting of the year is just around the corner! The Valley Open House on 21 March will be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect. This iconic building has been in the spotlight for three years and now we’ll finally get to look behind the façade. Members will go on an expedition through the building and learn all about its users. What’s actually happening inside this beehive of activity? Who are the people living and working here? Join us and find out on 21 March! Also don’t forget to send us your favourite sustainable initiative or company in Zuidas. Registration is open now on www.zuidasduurzaam.nl.

OLIVIER OTTEN Managing director of Hello Zuidas

Photography: Davide Gallery

Romy Lange & Eefje Voogd

REVOLUTIONAIR IN MEERDERE OPZICHTEN.

Met de volledig nieuwe BMW i7 brengt BMW luxe en duurzame mobiliteit op de weg opnieuw naar een hoger niveau. Deze grote - 100% elektrische - BMW combineert elektrische prestaties en zinnenprikkelend entertainment tot een onvergetelijke rijervaring.

De actieradius is overtuigend, de auto is luxueus en snel te laden én hij is duurzamer dan ooit te voren. De BMW i7 is revolutionair in meerdere opzichten. Niet alleen introduceert het een nieuwe designtaal en een volledige herdefiniëring van het 7 Serie exterieur en interieur, de elektromotor is ook volledig zonder zeldzame materialen gebouwd. Van Iconic Glow koplampen met Svarovski kristalelementen en verlichte contouren van de BMW nierengrille tot een bioscoopervaring met het Theatre Screen voor de passagiers op de achterbank. De i7 heeft het allemaal.

Laat u ook verrassen door de BMW i7 of één van de andere BMW’s bij Van Poelgeest.

“RELOCATING TO TRIPOLIS-PARK FITS THE WORKPLACE DYNAMICS OF DE BRAUW AT THIS MOMENT”

Suzanne Kwakkernaat - chief of Business Support, Hospitality and Facilities at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

Relocations are always a complex puzzle requiring loads of time and effort. But when you’re moving a whole office with a staff of about seven hundred, that’s in a league of its own. As chief of Business Support, Hospitality and Facilities at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, Suzanne Kwakkernaat is guiding the law firm’s move from the iconic The Rock on Claude Debussylaan to the brand-new Tripolis-Park complex. With everything involved in the construction of a new building, designing the interior and layout and coordinating a hassle-free transition to the new workspace for a massive workforce, Suzanne has her work cut out for her. Fortunately, she’s more excited than anything, and although the company as a whole isn’t scheduled to move until early 2024, she has been busy laying the groundwork for nearly three years.

Suzanne, what should we know about De Brauw?

“For starters, we are a large, independent law firm. The largest in the Netherlands, in fact. Our business is mainly with multinationals and we operate both domestically and transnationally. So, we have offices in London, Brussels, Shanghai and Singapore as well. In my opinion, it’s just a brilliant firm to work for.”

Why did the firm decide to move from The Rock to Tripolis-Park?

“It was really a whole constellation of factors. The end of our current lease was nearing, and we had to weigh up whether the property still aligned with who we are and if it fit us. Back when it was built in 2005, the work dynamics were very different. Hybrid and online working were still unknown. At The Rock, you basically enter the building,

take the lift up, head into your own office and after closing the door there are few opportunities for spontaneous encounters. Especially with people working from home more, we wanted to avoid losing a sense of connection and, when we added everything up, decided it was time for a change. Though we’ll be a bit smaller dimensionally, the layout will be completely different to what we have at our current premises. There, we have loads of unused space and everyone sits stationary in their own room, whereas at Tripolis-Park we’ll have lots of collaboration spaces. It’s much more geared towards new, dynamic forms of working and wellbeing. Going into this process, we asked questions like: What are the elements of a good workplace? What do people need? What fits the phase our firm is in now? After extensive research, we decided on this property. Because of all the possibilities it offers us, mainly for facilitating our people and creating a welcoming homebase for our firm.”

Lawyers tend to need their own space for concentrated work, so presumably the new building is not just one big co-working office, right?

“True. When interviewing staff to find out what people need, we noticed there was a kind of fear we’d become a completely open workspace. That was never the idea at all. However, when you’re working together on projects,

you do need dynamic workspaces. We also have more spaces to confer quietly. And the flow through the building is designed around a massive green staircase. That’s what connects different floors and simultaneously embodies that connection. It’s where people see and greet each other. What’s more, we’ll have a fantastic barista bar and a great company restaurant where people can get together, and the building will be furnished with loads of plants and also art , for which we are working closely together with FOAM and our architect.”

The neighbourhood around TripolisPark is still a bit empty. Do you think other companies will be brave enough to make the leap out of central Zuidas?

“This is an up-and-coming location. There are a growing number of

restaurants and lunch places in the area around Olympic Stadium, so I’m not worried. Although I can’t speak for other companies, I have heard more are facing the same challenges and are reassessing how they’re working and if their office premises still match that. For us, at any rate, the new location lets us give our people what we want to give them, and comes with facilities we don’t have in our current building. I can well imagine that if you’re looking for more space, this is a brilliant option.”

How did people at De Brauw respond to news of the move? Won’t many miss their own spot in Zuidas?

“Sure, moving to a new location can be a rollercoaster. We’re well aware of that and are trying to involve everyone in the process on topics such as

mobility, nutrition and technology. Webinars, sounding boards and walk-in sessions allow people to be part of the relocation and have their say. Of course, not everyone is as excited as we might have hoped for from the get-go, but we always try to listen and take everyone’s input on board. Thanks to all of that, we’ll be able to create an amazing premises here that’s representative of De Brauw and our future. What I love about my role in this whole story is that whereas in the first two years I mainly liaised with the builders, now I’m also sitting down with teams like HR and IT. More and more people are being drawn into the process, and that makes it fun. Now, we’re all heading for the finish line together. And that fits De Brauw too: striving for quality and maximum results together.”

BUILDING THE FUTURE

A10 ZUID CLOSED FOR EIGHT DAYS FROM AUGUST 5TH

From Saturday 5 August until the morning of Monday 14 August, there will be major traffic disruptions on the south side of Amsterdam. During this period, the A4 and A10 Zuid motorways will be closed from the Badhoevedorp junction to the S109 RAI slip road, in connectionwith construction works at Amsterdam-Zuid station.

For eight days during the 2023 summer holiday, the A10 Zuid will be one big building site. The roadway and a section of railway track outside Amsterdam-Zuid station will be temporarily removed.In order to slide two large roof sections for the

second station passageway into position. This second passageway is located to the west of the existing one, in the embankment over which the motorway and railway and metro tracks run.

Rescheduled

The works were originally scheduled for Ascension weekend in May. However, to allow more than one weekend for completion, they have been postponed until summer, when there will be less traffic.

In the direction of Utrecht

To make room for the construction work, the A4 and the A10 Zuid in the direction of Utrecht will be closed from the Badhoevedorp junction to the S109 RAI slip road. The closure will start on Saturday 5 August at 22.00 and last until the morning rush hour on Monday 14 August. Traffic will be diverted via the A9 and A5 motorways (see map below). Although the road closure has been scheduled during a relatively quiet, low-traffic holiday period, drivers can expect significantly longer journey times, of up to one hour.

Questions?

Drivers with questions about their journey during the works can use the Zuidasdok Ask&Go service or WhatsApp. To get in touch:

Scan the QR code, or start a WhatsApp chat 085 065 90 91.

During the closure, Amsterdam-Zuid station will have limited train services. Metro and bus services will run as normal.

New station passageway

This work is part of the Zuidasdok project, which includes widening and tunnelling of the A10 Zuid motorway and the complete renovation of Amsterdam-Zuid station. Construction of the second station passageway is a crucial step towards increasing capacity at this busy public transport station. After its renovation, AmsterdamZuid station will accommodate passenger volumes similar to Amsterdam’s central station.

Photography: Marcel Steinbach

SHOPPING TIME?

GELDERLANDPLEIN, THE PLACE TO BE FOR A NEW OUTFIT, NICE GIFTS AND DELICIOUS MEALS

SOCIAL MEDIA

@oxfordbrookesconstruction Day 4 of the field trip to the Netherlands ...

@snahazel #smalltalk #streetphotography ...

@kimtarroe

@archfeed_ Valley I by @MVRDV

@depizzabakkerszuidas

Bij ons op de Zuidas wordt er op vrijdag alleen maar gelachen.

@instamenno_ Uiterwaardenstraat met in de verte de Zuidas ...

@hattawejspa

Grand opening party at Valley ...

@bartnikon2020

@werkenbijcms ... weer een groep nieuwe collega’s ...

hellozuidas

@HelloZuidas

@hellozuidas

For employees of companies who are member of Hello Zuidas, it is possible to join our LinkedIn group or link as a contact.

@suzannebrummel

Zuidas op zondag; prima voor een klein rondje

@vosm1_thehappygardener

Bringing you a bit of colour on such a misty day ...

@robuustwijnen

Op de Zuidas vind je de Wijnboutique!

Download the Hello Zuidas City App Hello Zuidas has an app that allows you to flip through all the Zuidas news!

WTC AMSTERDAM

Always evolving to facilitate the latest occupier trends

More than thirty-five years after it was first built, World Trade Center Amsterdam is still the country’s largest office complex. And it continues to evolve as shown by the most recent and highly visible office addition Tower Ten. Behind the scenes a vast amount of work goes into maintaining the building to keep up WTC’s high standards in facilitating tenants and users. Martijn Kock, senior asset manager at CBRE Investment Management is dedicated to keeping the whole WTC complex running smoothly, together with property manager CBRE.

What is WTC Amsterdam doing to accommodate current and future office users?

“We’ve seen a massive shift in occupier trends. The whole outlook on offices has changed, and so have tenants’ and their employees’ expectations. It’s up to us to respond to that by offering flexibility in a sustainable and healthy office environment. At WTC Amsterdam you can start as a small one-man band in an own office or in a serviced office and expand

through growth in time into, for example, an office space spanning two, three or more floors. And vice versa.

Of course, the building is only part of the equation. The setting is equally important. The WTC Amsterdam is in a vibrant location. A busy spot that draws people in. Zuidas has that magnetic effect. This is good, but we still need to monitor mobility and transportation choices. This area, including WTC Amsterdam, is easy to

reach and we want to keep it that way. At the moment, we’re working on a mobility plan to continue incentivizing sustainable commuting while also maximizing access. To ensure that we continue meeting the needs and requirements of tenants.”

CBRE Investment Management has a strong focus on ESG. Can you tell us more about that, and how it’s incorporated in the WTC Amsterdam?

“For us, ESG and the E (environment) in particular, goes beyond obtaining the right labels for our buildings. So, yes, we’ve got a BREEAM Excellent label and a WELL Certificate will be in place shortly and yes we strive to become Paris Proof by 2035 for all our buildings. Though real sustainability is about more than that. Right now, we are working hard

Martijn Kock

on the social aspect of ESG by building a community in the WTC Amsterdam. We’re doing that through the Social Club to connect tenants in many ways. By organizing get-togethers for drinks and (sports) events, launching an office app, as well as putting tenants in the spotlight, for example, by dropping by for a chat, celebrating anniversaries by bringing a bouquet of flowers or cake... Labels aside, sustainability is above all about forging long lasting relationships with the people around us, and that’s something we’re really trying to achieve.”

Tower Ten is the latest, brand-new addition to the WTC Amsterdam. How are leases progressing?

“Very well. We are up to around eighty percent in leasing commitments now! Of course, that’s because we finally have something tangible to show, which is how it always works. As soon as the floors are in and we can walk around and show prospective tenants the view, we’re off and running. And the location, building and the

product do sort of sell themselves, too! We’re really creating an experience here. The continuous large-scale floors are easy to split up and all the facilities that you would expect from us, but with a touch more luxury, provided by HOFF Amsterdam as a beautiful business and conference location, plus offices with rooftop terraces and gardens.

HOFF Amsterdam will be the first business and conference location with a 5 star service level delivering an experience you would expect from a 5-star hotel. And, not to forget, a sizeable bike parking facility for our tenants, with space for 1,400 bikes. It’s not just a bicycle storage, though: it’s way more than that. There will be bike lockers for people with expensive e-bikes, space for cargo bikes, a repair station and even shower facilities for the die-hard cyclists. In summary, it promises to be a new level of convenience and comfort.”

CBRE Investment Management Martijn Kock, Senior Asset Manager martijn.kock@cbreim.com

“We have worked in sustainable energy transactions for a long time and ESG is in our DNA. Tower Ten holds a BREEAM NL Excellent New Construction certificate, so it is exceptionally sustainable on every front. Our Amsterdam office is the first in Eversheds Sutherlands’ global network to receive this certification. We are proud to set an example.”

Natascha

Geraedts

partner in administrative law & environmental and planning law, Real Estate section head

“HOFF offers high-end, flexible office solutions for tenants of Tower Ten. Meeting rooms, day and project workspaces and flexible expansions. HOFF has it all and stands for the ultimate workplace experience, amazing guests with its one-of-akind, lavish hospitality and personal service. Like our motto says: HOFFcourse! We can do it all...”

Sipke Feenstra Founder, HOFF Amsterdam

COLUMN

There’s a question that has been bothering me lately. What does it mean for the descendant of an enslaved person and a slave owner to articulate the hope and future of Amsterdam and the Netherlands? On 19 December 2022, Prime Minister Rutte formally apologized on behalf of the Dutch government for the country’s legacy of slavery. The words and the emotions he expressed struck a deep chord. The whole thing was supremely balanced and both the timing of these words and their intensity made an impact.

Earlier this year, on 8 January, my colleagues and I set off for an exploratory trip – a work trip – to the Kingdom’s six Caribbean islands and Suriname. Among the trip’s objectives was to inform the islands and Suriname about and engage them in plans for the development of a Dutch national slavery museum. We also wanted to hear what local communities have to say and what they want us to take on board in the museum’s development phase.

What we hadn’t counted on when planning this trip to Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, Saba and Suriname were the fierce emotions this subject would bring to the surface. That there are traumas still needing to be processed.

The processing of these traumas has hardly been broached yet, and neither have the different psychological facets. Those raw emotions laid bare each time plasters are ripped from wounds have to be handled with care.

The realization that there is unfinished business was a wakeup call for me and my colleagues. And yet, cutting across all the experiences and painful stories, there is also hope. Hope, because there is a younger generation that is obviously looking to the future and has explicitly asked for our help in education, in professional advancement of the museum sector, in entrepreneurship and for political and administrative development.

This younger generation is well aware that they have to cut through the pain in order to build up a new, shared future. For all the opportunities presented by Amsterdam’s metropolitan development and the construction of a national slavery museum, there is also a challenge for us, which is to include all of the islands in these developments. Even Zuidas has a part to play.

I feel blessed to be part of the team charged with formulating the foundational plans for an iconic building of Healing and Hope together. It is up to us to work with the communities both here and out there to create a building that will truly help shape a connective society.

John Leerdam social trailblazer

John Leerdam is a Dutch film and theater director and former politician. He was a member of the parlement for the Partij van de Arbeid (PvdA) from 2003 to 2012.

Cutting across all the experiences and painful stories, there is hope as well

Photography: Nestor Tsakirakis, Studio Klijn

HELLO

PEOPLE

GOT A MINUTE?

Zuidas is transforming into a mixed-use area where people work, live, shop, eat, drink, travel and come together. To support Zuidas’ growth, more and more buildings enrich the area’s impressive skyline. Various shapes, colours, heights and materials make up for a diverse image. Our roving reporters set out to ask people in Zuidas: what is your favourite building, and why?

Anastasia Liskina - X5 Retail Group WTC I-TOWER

“It is mainly the interior, not the exterior of the WTC I-Tower that I like. Even though I work here very often, I have never really looked at the building from the outside. I like the common space, this open atrium, on the ground floor. The trees add a nice touch of green, and the warm lighting and use of wood give it a nice atmosphere. I spend quite a bit of time on the sofas and chairs here. Mostly to be alone for a while; to do things that aren’t work-related or to make calls.”

Jordan Small - Student VALLEY

“I choose Valley because of all the plants and trees growing on the facade, giving it a spectacular green look. Also, I like the architectural structure. It looks like some kind of rocky outcrop. I know the building from driving past it all the time and I always marvel at its beauty. I’d absolutely like to live there, especially now that all of Zuidas is being renewed. There’s a lot of thought going into the future and that’s really important to me. I hope more buildings like Valley will be built in Zuidas!”

Joyce Toeset - Robert Walters TOWER TEN

“The most beautiful building in Zuidas, in my opinion, is Tower Ten. Aesthetically, I think it’s stunning. And also because our firm is relocating there. It will be the world’s first and most beautiful commercial office building, designed entirely on the basis of neuroscience. That aspect will be getting a lot more exposure this year. We’re already immensely proud of it. We’ll be moving there in May, and we will be located on the tenth floor. What I’m most looking forward to is the new building and modern interior. It will be a real community where people actually want to come work.”

Quincy Angkotta - Student VIÑOLY

“When I look at the skyline of Zuidas, Viñoly immediately draws my attention. It’s a big and prominent building in the heart of the area, next to the station and the motorway. I like the grooves running from top to bottom, like rivers running through mountains. They give it a natural feel. Its facade is almost completely made of glass, reflecting the colours of the sky in all shades of blue. Blue is my favourite colour. I walk past Viñoly every weekday and hope to be able to work there myself, one day.”

Tony Wijntuin

PROPERTY

“Ground floors deserve more attention from property owners”

Attractive locations offering a distinctive range of retail, dining, leisure, culture and public services are a widely held wish but fairly rare in real life. While Zuidas may have achieved major leaps towards becoming a mixed-use area in recent years, according to mixed-use strategist Tony Wijntuin there is still untapped potential for injecting more life into the district. As the owner of consulting firm WYNE Strategy & Innovation and a resident of Buitenveldert, he is both a frequent visitor and permanent Zuidas watcher.

Tony passes through the area several times a week, whether on his way home, for business meetings or to meet friends for drinks. Precisely that mixed offering is what so characterizes Zuidas, he observes. “It is a high-traffic location where all different facets come together. Originally, it was a full-on business area, but more and more people have come to live here. Amsterdam Zuid Station is a major hub and it’s only growing. This dynamic is rare, and creates a ton of potential for the future.”

Pivotal squares

Eight years ago, Tony was already working on a retail vision for Zuidas with the City of Amsterdam. One key focus was the occupancy of the commercial units on the ground floor of the buildings. Tony envisions Zuidas as a city centre, with Gustav Mahlerlaan as the high street, Claude Debussylaan as a dwelling street, and three main squares: Zuidplein, Gustav Mahlerplein and George Gershwinplein. Wijntuin contends that these three squares, laid out along a single axis, play a pivotal role in the success of the amenities at eye level.

High ‘suits and heels’ quotient

A great deal has changed since 2015.

Back then, George Gershwinplein was still the quietest square in Zuidas, whereas now Tony calls it the ‘frontrunner’. There’s a variety of drinking and dining establishments, including the Michelinstarred Bolenius, and there’s even a weekly market. And while Zuidplein and Gustav Mahlerplein may still get the most of traffic, Tony believes both squares are due for a revamp in terms of programme, identity and attractiveness.

“Many restaurants and shops have been there for years or belong to a chain”, he continues, “as well as being focused mainly on the professional crowd that’s in Zuidas during business hours. And, sure, it’s important to cater to that target group, but there’s not enough diversity. Besides substance, identity is also important. The building façades could be made a whole lot more attractive. So, have windows people can look through, let them see and tempt them to come inside.”

Creative hotspot

Tony believes more social and cultural amenities would add tremendous value to Zuidas. “Why not bring in a creative maker space, pop music venue or an incubator for artists as befits the character of this

location? These are must-haves to further reinforce the dynamic here and give people who wouldn’t normally visit Zuidas specific reasons to come here.”

Together, such amenities constitute what Tony calls a ‘Morning, Afternoon and Night programme’, or ‘MAN’ (the equivalent of ‘OMA’ in Dutch). “Zuidas is mostly dead after five o’clock and at weekends. A balanced mix of commercial, cultural and social services and amenities could change that. An added bonus is that the more attractive the neighbourhood look, the more attractive the real estate becomes. Which means it also indirectly serves a commercial interest for property owners.”

Afterthought

According to Tony, when leasing office or residential buildings, the focus still tends to be on filling the upper floors relegating ground floors to more of an afterthought. Owners need to realign their priorities, he says. “In its coordinating and facilitating role, the City of Amsterdam could promote higher quality, diversity and appeal. For instance, by stipulating specific programmatic requirements in tenders for its land holdings. That turn Zuidas into an even more dynamic location.”

Van Lanschot Kempen: where specialism, a dynamic work environment and room for opportunity meet

Johnathan Leibbrandt has been working as a senior legal counsel at Van Lanschot Kempen for around two years now. In this role, he focuses on equity capital markets and corporate finance and works on transactions throughout Europe and the United States. When he moved to the Netherlands from South Africa a few years ago, it was to broaden his horizons and grow as a professional. At Van Lanschot Kempen, Johnathan found opportunities to do just that.

“Van Lanschot Kempen has a very sector-specific focus. This makes us a leader in the fields we focus on and explains why specialism is one of our core values”, Johnathan says. In his work, this translates to delivering personalized and bespoke solutions. “These unique solutions for clients require in-depth knowledge of the markets we work in to manage the transactions and cases we take on. I may be doing a rights offer in Sweden one day and a capital raise in New York the next. Basically, the work is very diverse, as we’re not just rolling out the same product or service to everyone. That makes it incredibly fun. But it also means we have to be all-rounders.”

Being a decision maker

Working in different markets doesn’t mean Johnathan gets to travel all the time – “unfortunately” – he says with a laugh. “Post pandemic, everything is happening online, so I work ofrom our Amsterdam office. But, obviously, we serve the rest of the world from here and I am connected to loads of different people.” When asked what he likes most about the organization, Johnathan doesn’t need to think: “Van Lanschot Kempen is really dynamic and agile. Organizationally, there’s a very flat structure. Everyone has access to the decision-makers, but you can be a decisionmaker yourself as well, which is nice.” And because they make transactions all over Europe and the United States, he adds, “we as professionals get to work and learn in areas and jurisdictions we wouldn’t necessarily get to work in at other companies. In my opinion, that really sets Van Lanschot Kempen apart”.

Welcoming culture

On the question what Johnathan’s ambitions are within the financial institution, he says he’s mainly excited to continue the journey he’s on now. “Working in this dynamic environment as we take on new challenges, that’s exhilarating to be a part of.” Also, as

a committee member of VLK Pride, Van Lanschot Kempen’s LGBTQ+ committee, he thinks it’s great to be able to create structural change within such an established and relatively old company.

“We’re trying to raise awareness within the firm, and it’s great to be able to do that. I find this company has a really welcoming culture where I can be my authentic self, also as an international, and I love being part of the Van Lanschot Kempen team.”

Van Lanschot Kempen Beethovenstraat 300 1077 WZ Amsterdam + 31 (0)20 348 80 00 www.vanlanschotkempen.nl www.werkenbijvanlanschotkempen.nl

Johnathan Leibbrandt

ZUIDAS HOME TOUR

into Zuidas, I always think: wow, what an amazing place to live!”

NYNKE POPMA (48) LIVES IN MILES BUILDING

Nynke Popma has lived in Amsterdam for most of her life. She spent lots of time in the city as a child at her father’s shop on Ceintuurbaan, or visiting the Rijksmuseum in weekends. Though she left her beloved Amsterdam a few times in the intervening years – including for an adventure in another world capital, Singapore – she and her son have lived in Zuidas for two years now, and she couldn’t be happier.

Nynke, can you tell us about yourself?

“I work for an IT firm, where I’m in charge of field marketing for Northern Europe. I work from home a lot and used to travel quite a bit as part of my job. That slowed down during the pandemic, but fortunately it’s picking up again. I will be going to Copenhagen shortly, and trips like that really make my job great fun. My company is headquartered in Den Bosch and I try to go there physically at least once a week. That’s where my teammates are, after all, and although I love my house and have a lovely office at home, it’s also nice to see people in real life.”

Did you always want to live in this area?

“Not necessarily, no. But, moving from place to place, I have crossed through Amsterdam-Zuid quite a few times over the years. My winding up here was actually totally spontaneous and not some

“Riding

long-held dream that suddenly came true. Zuidas was definitely an option, but one of several. In fact, this house was already sold and only awaiting mortgage approval, but my son urged me to phone the property agent anyway. We lucked out, because the other party’s financing hadn’t come through, so then we got a chance to view it. The instant we stepped inside, I thought: ‘wow, this is really nice’. Especially because the apartment is so high and spacious, and my son feels completely at home here.”

If there were things in Zuidas you could change, what would it be?

“What really bothers me, to be honest, is all the litter in the streets. Fortunately, we don’t have that problem here in our building because it all goes underground. Another thing that can sometimes get under my skin are when people let their dogs pee on the side of buildings and the spots this can leave on walls. Of course, we live in a big city and things like that may just be part of the deal, but it’s still an unpleasant sight, haha.”

What’s your favourite spot in Zuidas?

“Obviously, there are a ton of great restaurants and other hotspots here, but, to be honest, the most magical moment of my day is after a workout, riding my bike home into Zuidas down Gustav Mahlerlaan. I look around and just marvel at the architecture and at how amazing this place is. There’s a really great vibe and there are always things happening in the area and people about. I love coming home to that, and it’s my favourite spot for that reason. And despite the fact that a lot of people live here, the houses are well insulated, so that keeps the noise out. It’s like living in a cocoon in the middle of the city.”

Favourite spot at home

Probably the kitchen, as I love cooking and having friends over to share it with. Add some music and drinks, and I’m happy.

Hobbies

Working out, having nice meals with friends, travelling and skiing.

Text: Sophia Etmans & Tessa Burger • Photography: Roxanne Wilm

ARCHITECTURE

Django

as one of the first residential blocks in Zuidas, the Django Building marked the beginning of the district’s transition into a mixed-use urban location. The building occupies parcel 8 of the Gershwin site, which was the first part of the Zuidas development area to concentrate on housing.

Address Gustav Mahlerplein 120-220, Gustav Mahlerlaan 411-523

Architect KCAP

Developer Consortium Royaal Zuid

Floor area 15,000 m²

Completed in 2010

Floors 9

Height 32 m

The building’s main entrance is on Gustav Mahlerlaan. It contains 108 rental apartments, six commercial spaces and a single-level underground car park. The programme spans 15,000 m² divided over two building sections, with a recessed courtyard garden and multiple rooftop terraces.

The complex was developed by Consortium Royaal Zuid, consisting of Era Contour, Prospect Zuidas and Bouwfonds Ontwikkeling. The design is by the architectural firm KCAP. Of the total floor area, 13,000 m² is zoned for housing and the other 2,000 m² for commercial use. Businesses based at the street level include Van de Veer dental practice, Het Zwarte Fietsenplan, The Breakfast Club, Limon and several other cafés and restaurants.

‘We wanted to go deep’

With its nine storeys, Django is relatively low compared to surrounding towers such as the 29-storey Amsterdam Symphony, next door. “In Zuidas, everything goes upwards. By contrast, we wanted to go deep, by creating an intimate green garden amid the concrete construction”, Han van den Born, one of the architects, said of the design. Another interesting architectural feature is the green and blue-toned printed glass façade ornamenting the two bottom floors.

All of the apartments are oriented in two directions and have floor-to-ceiling windows. The building uses innovative thermal energy storage with a closed source system, making the building highly sustainable.

Facts

• Django Building occupies lot 8 of Zuidas’ Gershwin district, one of the first residential blocks in Zuidas to be developed.

• With its nine storeys, the Django Building is the lowest city block between the 29-storey twin tower Amsterdam Symphony and the 20-storey Duke Tower.

AGENDA MARCH & APRIL 2023

8 March

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

International Women’s Day commemorates the first women’s strike in the textile and garment industry on 8 March 1908 in New York City. Women took to the streets demanding an 8-hour working day, better working conditions and the right to vote.

9 March

BODY & FAITH: Simon Keizer and Hanneke van Laarhoven, with moderator Henry de Vries

@ VU Amsterdam – www.vu.nl

Through 2 June

ABN AMRO ART COLLECTION

@ ABN AMRO – art-heritageabnamro.nl

The ABN AMRO art collection is among the Netherlands’ oldest and largest corporate collections. Born out of a combination of idealistic and practical considerations, the collection has grown steadily since the 1970s and now numbers more than 5,500 artworks.

9 March

LIVE MUSIC NIGHT IN THE MANHATTAN BAR

@ Crowne Plaza

www.crownplaza.com

Step inside the Manhattan Lounge Bar and soak up the spirit of a genuine cocktail bar. Sip stellar signature cocktails mixed by our bartenders while enjoying the live music. For more info, email anais.sheshekli@ihg.com.

The ART SCIENCE dialogues explore how artists and scientists may inspire each other and open the way for crossdisciplinary innovation. The dialogues are in English and free and open to the public. No advance registration needed.

14 March

FREE LUNCHTIME CONCERT

@ De Thomas – www.dethomas.nl

De Thomas hosts free lunchtime concerts every fortnight. Always classical music, always a different musician or ensemble. This time featuring the Artvark Saxophone Quartet, made up of Pedro Correia da Silva on saxophone and Luís Abreu de Lima on piano.

Photo: Gert Jan van Rooij

21-23 March AMSTERDAM DRONE WEEK

@ RAI Amsterdam – www.rai.nl

ADW is the global platform for sharing knowledge, potential innovations and vital regulations. It brings together all the key players – big and small, commercial and non-commercial, representing a range of industries, knowledge institutions and governmental bodies – to co-create and work together.

14-15 March

INDEPENDENT HOTEL SHOW AMSTERDAM

@ RAI Amsterdam – www.rai.nl

The Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam is the premier industry event wholly devoted to luxury and boutique hoteliers. We strive to deliver a guest experience that goes above and beyond the typical trade show. Whether you’re looking for inspiration from our sublime designers, innovation from leading technology suppliers or simply to discover something new for your hotel, you’re sure to find the perfect solutions!

2 April

I TRE CANETTI

@ Botanische Tuin Zuidas

www.dichtbij.online

Enjoy a 20th-century classical French music recital by a trio consisting of clarinet, oboe and bassoon.

21 March - MEMBERS MEETING VALLEY OPEN HOUSE

@Valley – www.hellozuidas.com

Eager to take a peek inside Valley? This is your chance! Hello Zuidas is hosting an ‘open house’ members meeting, with an expedition past all this acclaimed building’s phenomenal features. You’ve seen the outside. Now we introduce you to what’s inside: from anchor tenants to the coolest restaurants. For more info, email servicepoint@hellozuidas.com.

5 April

BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR

@ Circl – www.circl.nl

The Circl pavilion is a building that brings sustainable and circular design to life. During this hour-long guided tour, you’ll hear about the practical side of circular construction, the stories behind the repurposed materials and how the Circl restaurant operates. The tour is in Dutch. Time: 12-1 pm. Register on the Circl website.

Through 9 April

EXHIBITION: SOIL WORKS

– WHEN ROCKS WEATHER

@ Glazen Huis – zone2source.net

In a growing installation utilizing her own body, Elena Khurtova explores our capacity to engage in a reciprocal relationship with the ground beneath our feet. The exhibition visualizes the process, whereby displaced soil is transformed into monolithic industrial ‘lego blocks’ and gradually degrades.

5 April

POLICY-WRITING WITH IMPACT

@ Taalcentrum-VU

www.taalcentrum-vu.nl

Policy is how you get things done. It’s how you solve problems and enact ideas. But how do you actually get your policy up and running? How do you turn your ideas and advice into reality? Learn how, in this workshop about policy-writing with impact.

13 April

BODY & POLLUTION: Sissel Marie Tonn, Heather Leslie & Juan Garcia Vallejo, with moderator Henry de Vries and literary introduction by Nadia de Vries

@ VU Amsterdam – www.vu.nl

The ART SCIENCE dialogues explore how artists and scientists can inspire each other and open the way for cross-disciplinary innovation. The dialogues are in English and free and open to the public. No advance registration needed.

15 April

SONGKRAN FESTIVAL

@ Happy happy joy joy – www.happyhappyjoyjoy.asia

Come celebrate Thai New Year, aka the Water Festival. Join our big Waterfight on George Gershwinplein and enjoy delicious Asian street food for dinner afterwards.

16 April

PURE MARKT

@ Amsterdamse Bos

www.amsterdamsebos.nl

Pure Markt is all about pure products, sold by producers themselves. They can tell you everything about the ingredients, origins and production proces. There’s also a great range of one-of-a-kind non-food items. The market is free to visit.

21-23 April

PAROBA SCOUTING

@ Amsterdamse Bos – www.amsterdamsebos.nl

The Paroba Regional Scouting Championships (RSW) are back! Organized by the scouting association for the Amsterdam-Amstelland region, the annual competition will take place on the Land van Bosse terrain in Amsterdamse Bos. More info: paroba.nl.

27 April KING’S DAY

@ Zuidas Family

www.zuidasfamily.com

Come play outside and join the fun, with face-painting, cake-on-a-rope and loads more games to play on George Gershwinplein.

See you there?

27 April

ORANJEBLOESEM

@ Olympic Stadium

www.oranjebloesem.com

In the mood for drinks and dancing? Oranjebloesem is the country’s biggest King’s Day party. With multiple stages and both home-grown DJs and international artists, the festival is the place to be for alternative dance music with a Dutch touch.

Bi-weekly on Friday, 3pm

ZUIDAS TODAY TALK SHOW

@ Online – recorded at CIRCL - www.zuidastodaytalkshow.com

LIVE every other Friday at 2-3pm, the Zuidas Today Talk Show is a weekly discussion platform for the local business and residential community. Host Ruth Jansen talks with interesting, inspiring, high-profile guests in the CIRCL studio in Zuidas. The show is a joint initiative of Zuidas Today and ABN AMRO & CIRCL. Want to be part of the live show audience? Send an email to: info@zuidastoday.com.

March through april

EXPAT CINEMA

MEET-UP

@ Rialto VU – rialtofilm.nl/ expat-cinema-meetup

22 March & 5 April

BUSINESS ENGLISH WORKSHOP

@Taalcentrum-VU

Every Thursday, 9am-5pm

ZUIDAS WEEKLY MARKET

@ Gershwinplein

www.zuidasmarkt.nl

Every Thursday is market day in Zuidas, when a range of stalls come to Gershwinplein to sell their fresh wares. This is a long-held dream of Zuidas residents come true!

See you at the Zuidas Market next Thursday?

Twice a month Rialto VU organises expat meet-ups. Watch recent foreign language films with English subtitles, get together for drinks, networking, discussing and meeting new people afterwards. So join us every other Sunday and Wednesday evening for cinema from all corners of the world with a common denominator: English subtitles. Check our website for our upcoming events!

English fluency is crucial in international business. Would you like to communicate more effectively with your Englishspeaking clients? Taalcentrum-VU’s language experts are here to help! Our Business English workshop will boost your fluency in no time. The workshop covers two full days, from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Register now at: www.taalcentrum-vu.nl/zakelijk-engels

Luxe wonen aan de Oude Rijn in Leiden

Het project ‘de Molen’ is uniek in zijn soort en biedt de mogelijkheid om te wonen aan de rand van de historische stad Leiden aan de Haagweg, direct aan het open vaarwater van de Oude Rijn. Met een eigen ligplaats voor de deur vaar je direct vanaf je steiger de binnenstad in. De ruime waterwoningen van 228m² zijn voorzien van een luxe keuken, vijf slaapkamers, twee badkamers en een dakterras. De hoge ramen zorgen voor veel lichtinval en direct contact met het water.

Comfortabel en energiezuinig

Bij de ontwikkeling van de woningen is er veel aandacht besteed aan duurzaamheid. De waterwoningen zijn voorbereid op de toekomst. Ze zijn volledig gasloos en voldoen aan de BENG (bijna energie neutraal gebouw).

Geïnteresseerd in deze luxe waterwoningen?

Kijk snel op wonenbijdemolenleiden.nl voor het actuele aanbod of neem contact op met één van de makelaars. Zij vertellen u graag meer over dit bijzondere project.

Vraagprijs vanaf € 1.400.000,- v.o.n

SiS: GOING THE EXTRA MILE IN SECURITY AND SERVICE

Brian Schleich and Erwin van den Bosch both have many years of experience in the security field. From a long career encompassing almost any aspect of security, these are no industry rookies. Now, as respective operational manager and operational director at Specialists in Security and Specialists in Services (SiS), the two have joined forces to facilitate all clients’ security and service needs.

“Supplying security personnel was a success, but we saw more potential. Now we extended our business to supplying office management and hospitality services, we do it all”, Brian says with professional pride. “We dove full-on into the high-end market. There are companies only take on security for supermarkets, shops and car parks, for example, but we opted to go a different route. We’re having success in this market so far and this approach has brought us to where we are now.” Erwin agrees, underscoring that the personal approach of SiS is a big selling point. “What sets us apart is that we don’t just plant someone who has no feeling with a client.” And the fact that clients get to know their people over time

leads to much higher satisfaction, the two say. “Our clients have enough on their hands taking care of their core business”, Erwin continues. “They want to outsource security or facilities services to a reliable partner that can graft onto their company. Assigning fixed people to specific locations, going the extra mile for our clients and growing in step with the organizations we work with are part of our appeal.”

Good work is its own advertising

“We often go above and beyond”, Brian adds. “Existing clients keep coming back and often when organizations expand they ask us to handle security or facility services at their location as well.” Jokingly, the

two compare Zuidas to one big camping ground: “It’s so small and everyone knows everything about everybody else, so a good reputation really does matter.” Their approach seems to be working as they are receiving kudos from all sides. “In our industry, doing our job well is honestly the best form of advertising.”

Disaster drill

What ambitions does SiS hold for the years ahead? At the rate they are going now, a growth spurt seems imminent. That’s precisely what the company is aiming for, Erwin confirms. “We would like to grow in multi-tenant buildings here in Zuidas and further expand our service branch.” They also have an ambitious plan to mount a large-scale drill to test the district disaster plan. “It’s important to do that at some point, even though it means evacuating all the buildings and herding thousands of people onto the streets. We need to know what would happen and how the situation would play out.” And also, they stress, it would help make a start on dissolving the barriers between organizations and demonstrating that, in a security situation, you have to put the common good above individual interests. “It’s our job to help people at a moment’s notice, and this is part of it.”

Erwin van den Bosch & Brian Schleich

REAL ESTATE SPECIAL

‘NO MAJOR CRISIS, BUT A NEW BALANCE’

Area developer AM has long played a key role in Zuidas’s transition to a mixed-use urban district. The company has developed residential properties including Summertime (in cooperation with Bouwinvest), OpZuid, Xavier and The George (all in partnership with BPD) and is currently working with Equity Estate on Crossover. Scheduled to be completed in the first half of this year, Crossover combines housing, workspaces and amenities. The housing consists of 120 social rental units, of which 60 for students and 60 for refugees with residence permits. The remaining space will accommodate offices, cafés and restaurants and social and civic services.

AM Board Chairman Ronald Huikeshoven is proud to have achieved a true mixeduse building in Crossover. “In the space of ten years, I’ve seen Zuidas grow into a successful district of Amsterdam”, he says. “The next step is more mixed-use

buildings. That’s the future of real estate, because bringing a variety of functions together enlivens and heightens the appeal of locations. We always say that groundfloor space makes up 10% of the real estate but represents 90% of the value.”

Staying involved

Another jewel in AM’s portfolio is the socalled Bajeskwartier, a new quarter being developed on the site of the former Bijlmer penitentiary in close cooperation with AT Capital and Schroders Capital. It has been

Ronald Huikeshoven

designed as a climate-neutral urban centre for which 98% of construction materials will come from the demolished prison, reusing everything down to the cell doors. This project is currently in full swing. Also, a foundation will be established for the benefit of public space and aims to give residents influence over the use, design and maintenance of public space. In doing so, AM will remain involved in Bajeskwartier for a longer period of time.

AM’s role doesn’t end after a location is ‘finished’. A year ago, the development company launched its own residential fund. “We want to stay involved and therefore retain ownership of areas we develop”, Ronald explains. “AM employs place-makers whose job it is to give areas an identity. They look at which uses can be accommodated there long or short-term, for instance urban farms or restaurants. They always start out by talking with local business owners. So, after spending eight to ten years developing an area, it would be a shame to completely leave it.”

New balance

Global economic and geopolitical turbulence in the years since 2020 has irrevocably rippled out to the real estate

sector. Interest rates are going up, construction costs are high and building labourers are in short supply. But Ronald is not overly worried. “It’s clear the sector is in a holding pattern at the moment. Looking back over the past thirty years, interest is still low. We have to acclimate to the new situation and find a new balance in how we calculate risks and returns. That all takes time.”

The current economic uncertainty has however pushed real estate players to critically re-evaluate their activities, Ronald notes. To ask questions such as: are we building what the market actually needs? Are we making the right choices? To answer them, AM is seeking closer collaboration with their partners, including construction companies. “Their knowledge and expertise is instrumental to all our plans. They can offer immediate input on construction methods and which materials to use, for instance. In that sense, these challenges are themselves leading to innovations, and that’s positive.”

Chief architect

Of course, the need to find a new balance doesn’t imply concessions can be made in real estate quality.

AM has high ambitions when it comes to big societal issues surrounding sustainability, quality of the living environment and health. In fact, it appoints a chief architect – similar to the chief government architect appointed by the Dutch Housing Ministry – every three years for this very purpose. This is a real estate expert unaffiliated with AM who oversees projects to keep them in line with the company’s high ambitions and challenges to keep innovating. Recently, Daan Zandbelt - urban planner, architect and partner at De Zwarte Hond - was introduced as AM’s new chief architect.

When asked what he would do if he were chief architect of Zuidas, Ronald knows exactly what his priorities would be: more mixed-use, of course, but also more housing for seniors and more public amenities. “A museum or a library would really add a lot to this area. Also, there are very few senior citizens living here. We call them ‘urban veterans’. This is a target group that benefits tremendously from these sorts of public amenities, and that would make Zuidas an even more successful mixed urban district.”

“We have to acclimate to the new situation and find a new balance in how we calculate risks and returns. That all takes time.”

CORPORATE HOUSING LIVING: A new brand helping internationals find long-term housing in the Netherlands

Corporate Housing Factory has long assisted internationals and their corporate employers in finding suitable lodging, but until recently was primarily focused on temporary and short-term accommodation. They’ve now launched a brand-new long-term stay label: Corporate Housing Living. Co-directors Jouke Baaima and Michael Berendsen filled us in on this new project.

Jouke Baaima & Michael Berendsen

Until now, your focus was on helping people from abroad find the right temporary housing. With Corporate Housing Living, you’re also facilitating long-term housing. Why did you launch this label?

Jouke: “Flexibility. We were getting an increasing number of long-stay requests, for over six months, and wanted to be able to cater for those, too. Demand was quite high already but then got sidetracked by the pandemic, so now we’ve made a whole new start by setting up this label. It gives us the flexibility to respond to these requests from corporates and clients while also providing the sector with expertise on furnished rentals and internationals.”

Michael: “Right. We’ve already got the clients, because they come to us and we’ve been in the market for years. That means we’re on good terms with clients as well as being easily accessible. We were seeing that more and more people are having to stay longer in short-stays because they couldn’t find their next place straight away. Since we’re well connected with both the corporate market and real estate providers, we can match them up. Being a single point of contact for our clients, they can count on speedy service and assistance with whatever they need.”

Where do you offer accommodation for your Corporate Housing Living clients?

Michael: “It may sound odd, but it’s basically on request and theoretically, we can offer places anywhere. So, we tailor to what clients ask. We do expect to do more of our own projects in future, which means we’ll be on board straight from the development phase. That will also give us options to look more specifically at what’s available in a building and how to offer it. Our ideal would be a building with both short and long-stays, but it really depends on what the client wants. That’s the leading factor for us.”

You’re also specializing in housing for some specific professions, is that right?

Jouke: “Yes, we’ve also been talking more with organizations that are trying to secure housing for professions like police officers, healthcare workers and teachers who can’t find housing the usual way. We consult with building owners or investors, and if they want to come on board, we arrange the housing for people.”

Michael: “And as a middleman, we can supply that housing demand faster and more easily because we can arrange for a larger number of places in a given building. It’s completely different to making one-off arrangements for individual people. Right now, we’re assessing

if we can do more of this on a larger scale. If everyone makes an effort, I think we can accomplish a lot. If all sides are willing and they commit, we will get there.”

Jouke: “Absolutely. There is a huge housing shortage at the moment, of course, but also a large labour shortage. We need to find some sort of balance. Everyone is desperate to hire and trying to drum up people from all over, including international. Which is fine, but you can’t offer someone a job and then say, ‘oh, sorry, the commute’s three hours because there are no places to live anywhere nearby’. We are trying to help out with that. And Corporate Housing Living also supports people to settle in and feel more like locals instead of ‘internationals’, so they can live in Amsterdam and feel like ‘Amsterdammers’, for example. Our fully customizable services are designed to make people feel at home in no time and help out with whatever might be needed, from finding a cleaner to questions about getting a TV subscription. With their home situation sorted and comfortable, tenants can focus fully on getting to know the country and their new workplace.”

WONDERWOODS an elegant, bold and green real estate project

Living at the top of the world in the middle of the city and at one with nature: that’s Wonderwoods in the heart of Utrecht. Rising just outside Centraal Station, the two new towers are slated for delivery in 2024 and will be the epitome of a mixed-use project. Besides sweeping views across the city, the two greenest towers of the Netherlands will accommodate the full spectrum of working, living, experience, meeting people, leisure, drinking and dining.

G&S Vastgoed and BMB Ontwikkeling recently merged and will continue as G&S&. Every facet of the project is green and conceived to restore the relationship between city dwellers and the natural environment. “We envisage a community in which people, nature and technology coexist in harmony”, explains Jet Happel.

As head of Creative Development at G&S&, she is proud of what they are accomplishing with Wonderwoods, where

Jet and her team hope to help urbanites rekindle their connection with nature.

“It will be a green oasis in the city”, she continues enthusiastically. “Vegetation to clad the buildings has been selected with the architects’ horticultural specialists and is already under cultivation at the tree nursery.” This unique approach to literally planting two towers, which will stand 75 and 105 meters tall, calls for special maintenance techniques as well. “Several

times a year, an expert team of ‘flying gardeners’ will come abseiling off the roof. Residents won’t need to have green thumbs, because that’s all taken care of!”

Plum penthouses

A few penthouses with spectaculair views are currently available for sale via Eefje Voogd Makelaardij, whose director is equally excited about the project: “It’s a splendid project that I’m delighted to be a part of”, Eefje says. The Italian Stefano Boeri, the world’s most celebrated ‘green architect’, designed one of the two towers, containing six penthouses.

Roberto Meyer of MSVA Architects worked

his magic on the other, with five luxury penthouses on the 20th and 21st floors offering unparalleled high-end living.

“The penthouses in this new, living icon of urban architecture are unique in their class and have spaces ranging from 110 to just over 290 square metres. What makes this project extra special for me is how the exterior and interior are dynamically interconnected.” Nature is everywhere in Wonderwoods, Eefje adds. “Even though it’s in the centre of town – with lovely views of the Dom tower and historic centre – residents are steeped in nature. With plenty of fresh air and a sea of daylight. Which is precisely what the architects

intended, with ceilings nearly three metres high and big windows to let natural light flood in.”

Successful collaboration

Having previously worked together on 900 Mahler in Zuidas, G&S& and Eefje Voogd were eager to repeat their successful collaboration, Jet and Eefje say. “Especially on a project like this one, with state-of-the-art towers built to be embraced by nature”, affirms Jet. “We urge everyone to live in the city centre yet surrounded by nature.”

More information: www.wonderwoodspenthouseandspecials.nl

“We envisage a community in which people, nature and technology coexist in harmony”

Eefje Voogd & Jet Happel

AARTS & CO INTERIEUR EN ADVIES: TOGETHER WE CREATE ENVIRONMENTS THAT SUPPORT GREAT WORK!

When your staff are always revved for another day at the office, you know you’re doing something right as an employer, says Jasper Broeders. As managing director of aarts & co, he ought to know. This interior company creates office spaces designed to have employees coming to work with a smile every day.

Jasper acquired aarts & co in 2002 with a mission to make it a leading specialist in creating interior designs and the delivery and installation of contract furniture. A mission that, two decades later, he has clearly accomplished. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing, the director says truthfully. “I threw myself into my work those first few years and it eventually took a toll on my health. Then I changed my vision

on life and also began rethinking what’s important for the company. How we see it; people make the difference to an organizations wellbeing.” Jasper and his team took this vision to heart in how they approach clients, and even created a new slogan to match: “Hello Tomorrow”, Jasper says with a grin. “It stands for how we work with each client to create an inspiring and sustainable environment that truly

connects with the human side of their organization, and spaces that make people smile when they think about tomorrow’s workday.”

Ambassadors

In other words, aarts & co interieur en advies creates interiors that are not only functional, but above all an extension of a company’s DNA. With a seasoned team of over thirty Workplace consultants, interior designers, back-office and their in house own installation team , they know how to deliver innovative spaces that never fail to amaze clients. On top of that, with

Showroom Amsterdam

Showroom Amsterdam

5,000 square metres of combined space in Amsterdam and Tilburg, they also cater to a diverse range of companies. From Microsoft and Facebook to EY, JP Morgan and Loyens & Loeff, aarts & co has a large portfolio of clients. All of them satisfied, Jasper emphasizes, thanks to a personalized approach. “Our clients became real aarts & co ambassadors”, he laughs. “So far, all of our advertising has been by word of mouth, which is in my opinion the best way.”

Needs, wants and wishes

What’s involved in the process of designing an office interior? Jasper says it all starts with taking stock of what the employees of our client need in their environment to make great work possible. “We ask about all kinds of aspects that factor into the

design of a space. I mean, sure, you can churn out a bunch of six-person meeting rooms, but if our questionnaire shows that most meetings are just two or three people, we can put that space to better use.” aarts & co also always consults with the management about any other aspects they want to change. “Surprising things can come out of that, so it’s really good to do this questionnaire.” Having gathered their input, our workplace consultants and interior designer go to the drawing board to create an interior design proposal and plan fully tailored to the client’s wishes and beyond!.

Creating Impact

“We’re also very focused on creating a big impact looking at sustainable topics”, Jasper adds. “From eco-friendly furniture

and products to coming up with innovative ways to re-/upcycle old furnishings. As far as we’re concerned, the sky is the limit.” Witness a recent project aarts & co did involving a tender for a large school community. “They wanted to know what to do with old classroom furniture they no longer needed. It was classroom furniture that unfortunately we couldn’t reupholster or anything we used our network to find a right purpose for these items and shipped it to Kenya to furnish the seven poorest schools overthere. Innovative projects like this is what aarts & co is all about. “Thinking out of the box with our clients: that’s what we love.”

Jasper Broeders

Showroom Amsterdam

Showroom Amsterdam

Showroom Amsterdam

TOUCH, LOOK, AND FEEL. That’s the essence of N/XT

Discover the future of real estate with N/XT. With its cutting-edge 3D technology, intuitive interface, and real-time data, N/XT offers an immersive experience unlike anything else on the market. Discover a comprehensive view of urban environments with N/XT - explore buildings, locations, and transportation with ease and in-depth detail.

Jordy Vos, and Dylan van Keulen, have a long history of collaboration at Parallel, an Amsterdam-based firm specializing in architectural visualizations, 3D animations, and interactive applications for built and unbuilt environments. N/XT, their latest endeavor, was created with the goal of providing a comprehensive and sophisticated solution for the real estate industry. “We wanted to develop an interactive tool that combines detailed information with great aesthetics, userfriendliness, and insightful perspectives on current and future developments, such as project phasing and nearby points of interest”, Jordy explains.

Urban scale

The tool is beneficial for architects, property developers, agents, and public authorities in planning and presentations,

Dylan van Keulen & Jordy Vos

participation processes, rentals, and sales. “N/XT collects all relevant information in the context of the urban scale”, Dylan says. “The tool is fully interactive, allowing users to actively explore and discover their surroundings. Within a few clicks, users can access information about building design, distances to nearby train stations, airports, or surrounding cities, and view preset camera viewpoints. Unlike traditional prints or animations, N/XT provides a hands-on experience where the user can explore at their own pace.”

Plot and building scale

The tool offers users the ability to zoom in and ‘slice open’ individual buildings for a closer examination, such as checking out an apartment or office unit. Jordy: “The tool can be linked with CRM systems to provide real-time updates on unit

availability for leasing or selling. The plot scale is perfect for detailed building information, including sustainability and real-time sun studies. Additionally, the tool features a drag-and-drop street view option, allowing users to virtually walk around and explore their desired location.”

Touchscreen

The tool by Parallel operates on a variety of platforms, including laptops and tablets. To enhance its versatility, Parallel has crafted a unique piece of furniture with a built-in touchscreen; perfect for presentations, sales events, and trade fairs. The unit and tool can be customized to match a buyer’s specific corporate or project identity.

Navigating the tool is effortless with its intuitive menu bar featuring simple icons.

“We believe that real estate companies can speed up their sales and leasing processes by implementing this tool”, Jordy sums up. “Public authorities can use it to provide the public with a comprehensive view of their plans for a specific area. The possibilities are endless, and Parallel is not limiting its reach to just the Netherlands; our next goal is to take it to customers globally.”

Founded in 2018, Parallel produces still images, 3D animations and interactive applications for the (un)built environment. 3D-tool N/XT is the next step in Parallel’s services.

HOLOGRAM HOST BY D&B: A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE FOR EVERY VISITOR

Jeroen Peters is the director of marketing and communications at D&B The Facility Group, a multi service provider for ambitious corporates and high-end real estate. For years he had been turning an idea over in his mind about how to offer clients a new kind of experience. With the Holobox, his vision has become reality. Using a livestream projection, it remotely brings D&B Hospitality Hosts on-site to clients. Visitors to the World Trade Center Amsterdam are already being greeted by a Hologram Host, and it’s getting rave reviews.

“The first time I saw a Holobox, I was amazed”, Jeroen remembers. “It was so lifelike that I instantly saw the potential for livestreaming to locations where we take care of hospitality services.” Only, there was one big proviso, Jeroen says: the livestream had to come with a two-way

picture and audio connection. “That lets you have real interactions, which of course is what matters for visitors.” This was also a reason D&B had never experimented with holograms before: they weren’t realistic enough. But Jeroen thinks the Holobox is the perfect solution. “It adds

value to the customer experience. Other holograms couldn’t be livestreamed and used prerecorded videos, whereas the human dimension, personal service and hospitality are the most important factors for D&B.”

Test lessons

How does the Holobox work? A live connection provides a video link to the Hospitality Hosts, who are available all day to answer visitor queries. Looking for a company in the WTC? No problem: the host can tell you where it’s located and how to get there. “We’ve tested the

Holobox at two locations now, in D&B’s head office and in the WTC.” Operationally and technically, we learned a lot, Jeroen says. “About things like location acoustics, since the microphones pick up a lot of the background noise, but also how to brief our hosts. It’s crucial for them to have a real sense of how they’re projected in the space when directing visitors or helping out with questions.”

Surprised visitors

So far, the concept has been extremely well received, reports Melissa Kooke, concept development manager at D&B. She is equally enthusiastic. “It’s fun to see people’s first reactions. They tend to be surprised when they realize it’s not a prerecorded film or artificial intelligence.” And, crucially, she says, “the hosts do in

fact help people get where they need to go and give information.” Which means the Holobox is doing just what it’s supposed to: supplying what clients need and providing personal service.

Endless possibilities

In some cases, the Hologram Host could take over completely from a physical host, especially at smaller premises, “provided there are also connections enabling us to do things like remotely operate barriers and doors”, Jeroen notes. “What’s interesting about this is that just one physical host in the studio at D&B’s head office could serve multiple locations.” Another use could be providing backup or lending an extra virtual hand at larger offices or buildings. For example, if the physical host is called away from their

spot, the Hologram Host could briefly cover for them. “That would be ideal for mixed-use settings with housing, offices and retail. A Hologram Host could take the place of a physical service desk there.” And then there are offices and campuses that have multiple buildings or are so large they can’t possibly put reception desks at every entrance or lobby: “In places like that, you could put a Holobox at side buildings or entrances. The possibilities are basically endless. We think this technology has massive potential to enhance efficiency and user experience, and hope to quickly expand it to more locations to impress our clients.”

Development Manager

“The human dimension, personal service and hospitality are the most important factors for D&B”

LEGAL MORE AND MORE TOUGH PROPERTY CASES FOR TAYLOR WESSING

The recent sale of the ABN Amro headquarters to the Victory Group marked the largest-ever single asset deal in the Netherlands. Hendrik Jan Schimmel, who advised Victory Group on behalf of global law firm Taylor Wessing, calls it one of the most inspiring transactions of his career.

“Obviously, we always want the best result for our clients, without losing sight of other stakeholders and the long-term picture”, says Hendrik Jan. “ABN Amro will hold onto the office lease until their new headquarters in Zuidoost are completed, and even after their departure they will still occupy in a part of this amazing complex. Redevelopment will commence after that, from which all of Amsterdam will benefit.”

Hendrik Jan is enthusiastic about Victory Group’s plans for the property. “It will be more open and greener, with a range of public amenities from food to fitness, and with an ambition to go as far as including social attractions. They are also setting a very high bar for sustainability and reuse. Though it’s not quite clear yet what will happen with Circl, if the building does end up being moved, it will be done with a clear focus on circularity and reuse. The way they are thinking about sustainability and social issues down to the last detail is hugely inspiring.”

International network

Taylor Wessing’s real estate team advises property funds, developers and corporate end users on all legal aspects of property transactions and management, including sales, leases, new construction and redevelopment. Hendrik Jan underscores

that combining a global network with extensive local expertise makes all the difference: “Our wide variety of services and clients gives us consistent and sound insight into the market situation.”

Tough cases

Recent economic and geopolitical instabilities and rising interest rates have been massive game changers for real estate sector dynamics. Hendrik Jan says he’s seeing an uptick in tough cases, including a large number of renegotiations. “Buyers can’t always pay the price they initially agreed, because the financing costs are too high. In turn, Sellers, including developers, can’t always deliver for the price they agreed either, because of the higher construction costs.”

And then there are the tenants, who find themselves facing rent hikes as high as fourteen per cent due to inflation-linked rent indexation. “They get hit twice”, Hendrik Jan explains. “By higher rental expenses plus higher energy costs. Owners often are willing to be accommodating, but it does mean renegotiating the lease contract by, for example, extending the fixed term of the lease.”

Logistical challenges

High land prices and building and financing costs, the nitrogen emissions situation and government regulation of local construction impact and programming are piling on the headaches for developers. More and more projects are getting bogged down in procedures. “If a developer has several parties interested in a new building, the procedures can easily take so long that they bow out.”

All this has made good legal experience and expertise only more valuable, Hendrik Jan observes, particularly in Zuidas. Being a high-density location creates extra challenges because there is a multitude of actors that may lodge objections against construction plans. The enormous Zuidasdok project is also throwing up logistical challenges for surrounding building projects. Developers have to know precisely what is going to be built where and when. With little room to accommodate construction traffic, materials and machines, projects in Zuidas need to be planned out thoroughly to stave off problems.

High ambitions

Which is not to say it can’t be done.

According to Hendrik Jan, real estate players are ambitious to realise great projects and are putting in their best efforts. “And not all of them are deterred by regulations. Many investors and tenants have high ambitions for sustainability and liveability, and they want to be at the front of the pack. Sustainability is also high on the agenda of Taylor Wessing, which makes us a good match.”

Text: Ramon Holle • Photography: Roxanne Wilm

“If a developer has several parties interested in a new building, the procedures can easily take so long that they bow out.”

Every weekday, 50,000 Dutch workers sit down at pristine desks thanks to the cleaning crew at 1nergiek. In the buildings Atrium and NoMA House in Zuidas, for instance. But for 1nergiek it’s not only about clean buildings, it’s about happy people: clients, visitors, users and of course cleaning staff. Which is why you’ll never hear managing director Laetitia Simonis or account manager Eddy Tempelaars talk about ‘employees’, they speak about ‘cleaning colleagues’. “We’re all people, after all, not machines.”

1nergiek offers facility management, service hosts, window cleaning, specialized maintenance and cleaning services. Clients are mainly business services at high-end offices in Zuidas such as Allen & Overy, real estate companies, shopping centres, schools and cultural venues such as the Hermitage and Dutch National Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam, the Kunstmuseum in The Hague or the Markthal in Rotterdam.

Service with a genuine smile

“We serve clients that are a good match

Laetitia Simonis & Eddy Tempelaars

“IT’S NOT ONLY ABOUT CLEAN BUILDINGS, IT’S ABOUT HAPPY PEOPLE”

with us, who want the best quality but also realize that good quality on a daily basis takes time and attention to detail”, says Laetitia. “We also want all of our cleaning colleagues to enjoy their jobs, because only then does service with a smile have real value. That is why many cleaning colleagues stay long-term with us. Our specialist team such as window cleaners is also employed directly by us, which is quite exceptional in this sector.”

Thanks to this philosophy, 1nergiek also boasts an exceptionally stable team. Clients always get to see the same faces, despite the tight job market. “We’ve won an award for the best professional services organization not once, but twice, based on an annual employee satisfaction survey carried out by the market research firm Integron. For the past two years, we’ve hit the number one spot with a 7,84 in 2021. And last year we received an 8,01 from our cleaning colleagues!”

Changing needs

Besides high quality, Eddy stresses that 1nergiek also offers maximum flexibility.

“We build lasting relationships with our clients. Total trust is crucial for a good partnership. We do our best to seamlessly meet clients’ changing needs. They’re constantly evolving, and that means so are we. You have to stay on a learning curve.”

Among other things, that means being critical about their own services, thinking about how they can do better and if they are doing enough. “But also, we’ll be honest and tell clients if scaling down is possible. The rise of hybrid working and irregular office occupancy is making the ability to scale services up or down more important. Our colleagues on-site are attuned to that and understand exactly what is – or isn’t – needed. So obviously, we listen to them.”

Learning from each other

“We rely on our strength and our cleaning colleagues are our most important asset”, Laetitia says. “That’s why, six times a year, the whole team gathers for interactive sessions to learn from each other. Regional managers furthermore each oversee only a small

group of clients and colleagues. A conscious choice to give the right time and attention to everyone’s needs and wishes.”

Good service is also reflected in a high standard of hospitality. 1nergiek’s service hosts make all the difference at office buildings and retail centres. “Like a concierge, they’re the visible point of contact for facility services”, Laetitia explains. “They take care of all the things you can’t get done by tapping some keys. Things like giving visitors, clients and employees a warm welcome or help someone, accepting parcels, being there when the lift repairman comes around or mopping up a spilled cup of coffee. But they’re important at an interpersonal level as well. They’re the face of the building. And, of course, ours too. We’re proud of that.”

Contact & information

Though the name 1nergiek dates back to 2018, the company exists for more than 100 years. Want to find out what 1nergiek can do for you? Get in touch with Eddy Tempelaars.

Eddy Tempelaars Accountmanager +31 (0)88 235 83 42 +31 (0)68 351 17 32 eddy@1nergiek.nl www.1nergiek.nl

WTC BUSINESS CLUB –BRAINEXPLAINERS

At the onset of January, WTC Business Club toasted to the new year with a glass of champagne in Ox & Bucks, but not before looking ahead with a special presentation by Brainexplainers. The members of the Business Club were given an explanation about how neuroscience works and how our brain, the most complex and bestfunctioning ‘machine’ in the world, allows us to deal with the ever-changing uncertainties in the world around us. An interesting and above all fun afternoon in the WTC!

HELLO ZUIDAS INTRODUCES FRANC VAN NUNEN Supervisory Board

Franc van Nunen has been a key player in the VU/VUmc Foundation for more than 25 years. He was long active positioning the VU campus in Amsterdam and raising the university’s economic and innovative profile in Zuidas. Franc’s commitment and passion for forging connections have made him an instrumental member of the Hello Zuidas Foundation’s Supervisory Board.

Franc, how have things changed in the time you’ve been here?

“I joined the VU/VUmc Foundation a quarter-century ago. Back then, the university had sole responsibility for setting up and professionalizing its real estate, buildings, and campus and area development organization. Most of the campus had been built between the late fifties and early seventies at the city’s outskirts, all but ‘out in the pastures’.”

In what ways is VU Amsterdam working to connect with the Zuidas district?

“The VU campus and Amsterdam UMC are in the middle of the city these days. Through the development of innovation districts as outlined in the city’s spatial planning strategy, we’re working out ways to connect our knowledge cluster, university and academic medical centre with work and residential life and leisure in Zuidas. We are looking outward as a university and actively seeking partners for collaboration, start-ups and knowledge-based enterprise. And, of course, a university is also a connection point in an international collaborative academic network.”

Development is ongoing at VU Amsterdam as well. What are you proudest of?

“The campus is a welcoming, inspiring and safe space for

education, research and the creation of social and economic value. Our campus renewal is creating an urban campus that is sustainable and greener and with facilities for events, housing and accommodation, sports and culture. The campus is the home base and calling card of VU Amsterdam. I’m proud that we’ve had the opportunity and ability to accomplish this.”

How did you come to join the Supervisory Board of the Hello Zuidas Foundation? And what is your role?

“VU Amsterdam was one of the founding members of Hello Zuidas. In my job as campus director, I’d been involved in the foundation’s activities for some time and was asked to join when there was some reshuffling within the Board. Hello Zuidas is an important link for area partners and for joint initiatives between them and the city itself. My role is to bring them together, based on my expertise in issues around campus use and development.”

Why should organizations join Hello Zuidas?

“Hello Zuidas connects organizations through a wide range of activities focused on substantive dialogue and issues of local interest as well as casual social events to get people together.

Olivier and his team give new members a warm welcome and introduction to the area and Zuidas community.”

FINANCE “ZUIDAS IS HERE

After years of hovering at historic lows, interest rates have now multiplied threefold in a short period of time. “The real estate sector is directly affected”, notes Roel van de Bilt, chair of the Dutch Banking Association’s (Nederlandse Vereniging

van Banken, NVB) corporate real estate committee. “When interest rates go up, real estate values go down, and vice versa. Real estate prices are under pressure right now, including in Zuidas.”

“When interest rates go up, real estate values go down, and vice versa.”

The Dutch Banking Association (NVB) represents the shared interests of domestic and foreign banks that are active in the Netherlands. Members of its corporate real estate committee include ABN Amro, ING, Deutsche Bank, NIBC, Handelsbanken and Rabobank. On 1 April, Roel van de Bilt will transfer his chairmanship to Hein Wegdam, head of ING Real Estate Finance. From this date, Roel will also step down as director of Rabo Real Estate Finance.

TO STAY”

The link between interest rates and real estate prices hinges on the ‘discount rate’ (disconteringsvoet), a percentage used to calculate the present value of future cash flows. The discount rate is based on the interest rate. If interest rates rise, that has huge implications for investors, because it makes borrowing more expensive. And that weighs on their real estate budgets.

Out of balance

Not so long ago, borrowing was practically free. Investors were banking on rates of around 1.5 per cent, compared to 4.5 per cent or higher nowadays. “The real estate market is out of balance”, Roel sums up. “Real estate buyers are factoring in the new rates, but many sellers can’t and/or don’t want to yet. That has put a damper on transactions and the volume of investments.”

Roel predicts that if interest rates stay at the current level or go even higher, which is what current ECB policy suggests will happen, sellers will automatically start lowering their prices. They’ll have to, if they want buyers to bite. “The market will remain turbulent this year for sure, but we’ll reach a new equilibrium.”

Pleasure and pain

Historically, interest rates are still far shy of old records. The problem as such is not so much the height as the speed at which rates are rising. “Some real estate sector players have relatively short-term investment horizons. If you bought a building two years ago, it might be worth less now. So they’re feeling the pain of this

interest rate increase, but then they also experienced the pleasure of interest rate decreases for many years.”

Shift towards prime locations

The property market has a large number of submarkets, including housing, office, retail and commercial real estate. Rising interest rates affect each of these sectors differently. In the office market, Roel says he has already noticed some shifts. Demand for less desirable office locations is waning as prime locations become more popular.

“Second-rate office locations are the first to have taken a hit from the drop in office demand, resulting from hybrid working. That doesn’t include Zuidas, of course, which is one of the best. When I step outside and see how much talent is concentrated here and the positive vibe of this place, I’m fully convinced that Zuidas is here to stay.”

Sustainability

As of January, office premises are required to have an energy label of ‘C’ or higher. Many office owners are actually aiming substantially higher. Roel expects sustainability will become a key differentiating factor for real estate value. “Sustainable properties will quite likely devalue less or even increase in value over the next few years. Sustainability is becoming the norm. All banks are also endorsing it in their financing policies. Sustainability is a huge priority.”

HORECAVA @RAI AMSTERDAM

Horecava was back at the RAI in early January. Industry professionals from the food, beverage and hotel world gathered for a programme featuring competitions with starred chefs, speakers and presentations.

SUSTAINABILITY FROM WASTE LAB TO CLIMATE ADAPTATION

So many sustainable initiatives are unfolding in Zuidas

Reducing the district’s environmental impact is an ambition shared by many. Green Business Club Zuidas and its seventy active member organizations are tackling a range of sustainability issues in Zuidas. Here, we share some current projects.

Elbow-deep in rubbish

Last month it was time again for an avid crew of Zuidas professionals to dig into their offices’ residual waste. Not your usual start to the working week! Employees of ABN AMRO, Arcadis, Financial Offices and NautaDutilh gathered up rubbish-filled bin bags and got to work sorting through the contents under the guidance of Ecosmart, part of Renewi. Do teabags belong on the rubbish heap, or with organic matter? And that oil-stained pizza box from a late night at the office last week: recyclable paper, or plain old trash? There was also a Waste Lab in which participants got a hands-on demo of rubbish-related improvements to apply in the workplace. The Waste Lab was offered as part of Zero Waste Zuidas, a project to make Zuidas waste-free by 2030, jointly launched by Green Business Club Zuidas and the Amsterdam Economic Board. Other Green Business Clubs and Rijkswaterstaat’s VANG Buitenshuis programme are also actively involved in this mission.

Impact Cafés on CSR/ESG policy

Every six months, GBC organizes an Impact Café to bring members together and offer inspiration on CSR/ESG policy-related topics. The latest edition focused on House of Hospitality and highlighted the persistent gap between Zuidas and young people with vocational qualifications. ISS has been working hard at PwC and Accenture to narrow this gap in recent years. Edwin Klinkert of ISS and student Nadine Henningheim shared both sides of their experience with this project, which helps young people find their fit in the workplace and offers prospects for work placements, advanced training and employment. There was also time for a joint brainstorming session in which participants considered what companies in Zuidas can do to help young people find jobs. They talked about the obstacles and opportunities, including the pressures that the labour market shortage and other issues are putting on companies.

Circular HUB in Zuidas?

How can vacant plots in Zuidas be put to sustainable use? The Community Garden is one great example, but there’s another interesting possibility in the offing: a circular hub in Zuidas! How awesome would that be?! A showcase for circularity that’s open to the Zuidas community, with space for innovations by waste sector partners BNext.nl, Milieu Service Nederland and Renewi, and a spot to get a taste of circularity. In January, a group of Green Business Club Zuidas members, including the collectors mentioned above, ABN AMRO, RAI and Baker McKenzie, met with Amsterdam officials to brainstorm ideas for the temporary use of the vacant section of the Vivaldi zone. To be continued!

Circular Procurement Accelerator, round two

In 2022, over sixty participants completed the first run of the Circular Procurement Accelerator developed by PHI Factory. Results of this pilot were positive, so now it’s time for round two. Companies interested in future-forward procurement can sign up now. Purchasing professionals get theoretical knowledge that is directly applicable, in a fun format with active guidance and digital introductions to each theme. The next CPA starts in the third week of March and runs for 16 weeks. There are still some spots available.

Young professionals unite for sustainability

Young professionals in Zuidas created their own core team within GBC last year. For their first theme they chose the ‘protein transition’ (about swapping animal proteins out for plant-based alternatives, for example in all company restaurants) which will be fleshed out into a project this year. More ideas were flying at a recent Young GBC gathering for drinks and networking. Such as to tie in with the Dutch Week Without Meat & Dairy, starting 6 March, for which GBC Zuidas has partnered with area catering suppliers. With food accounting for thirty per cent of the average organization’s carbon footprint in Zuidas, offices can make a big difference in their cafeterias!

For information about other projects on themes including the transition to plant-based proteins, climate adaptation, logistics in Zuidas and energy conservation progress, visit greenbusinessclub.nl/zuidas

Text: Cathelijne Cras

“I HOPE EVERY SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVE WILL ENTER, BOTH BIG AND SMALL”

Yvette Watson has always been passionately committed to societal and environmental issues, even as a child. At the age of eight, she was already carrying a banner for Greenpeace. These days, she is less of an activist and believes more in being an ‘activator’. Through her companies PHI Factory and the online gamified learning platform The 2B Collective, Yvette hopes to inspire as many people and organizations as possible to be as sustainable and innovative as they can be. With these credentials, it’s little wonder that she was invited to be one of the judges for the first edition of the Zuidas Sustainability Award last year. And she was elected again this year, now as the panel’s chair.

Yvette’s mission is to enable people to make the right choices. These days, however, her approach is different. “I used to be more radical”, she admits with a smile. “But, over the years, I saw that activism can also cost you people, so now I’m focused on making connections.”

Spark

Just over seven years ago, Yvette started PHI Factory with her business partner Geerke Versteeg. The two clicked on sight.

“We were introduced by her old boss”, Yvette recalls. “He saw me speaking on stage and said, ‘you two need to meet’. There was an immediate spark of recognition, and I asked her if she wanted to start a company together that very same day. We share the same vision and ambition, but at the same time we’re complete opposites. She’s super organized and a real go-getter, while I’m creative and love developing new concepts for real systemic change.”

Fast forward to today, and PHI Factory has 18 employees and advises a range of companies and stakeholders on sustainability issues. “Our main focus lies on putting all those great government and industry sustainability ambitions into practice. In practical projects and solutions, with effects that have measurable impact. The only way you can change the system is by defining in concrete terms what you’re going to do differently tomorrow and the day after relative to yesterday.”

Yvette Watson

According to Yvette, there has been an overall change in approach over time. “Twenty years ago, getting organizations to move at all was difficult. Now, everybody’s moving, but all in different directions. We look at what an organization needs to achieve their objective and we make plans accordingly.”

2023 Sustainability Award

With her passion for sustainability, Yvette is thrilled to be on the judging panel for the second edition of the Zuidas Sustainability Award; as its chair, this time. Other returning members are Margreet van Gastel, chair of the Economic Affairs and Climate/Netherlands Enterprise Agency Advisory Committee on Heating and

member of the national Green Business Club Advisory Board, Ruth Jansen of the Zuidas Today Talk Show, and Chahat Gawdi, MSc Global Environmental Governance, Sustainability & Climate Change and outreach manager for the Green Office VU.

“This award is important because it’s a way to inspire each other with all the amazing projects in Zuidas”, Yvette underscores. “The new AFC clubhouse is a great example. The sustainable building that the football club created here sets such a brilliant example! Another great initiative in Zuidas is the RAI. They are doing so much with sustainable and local suppliers through their ‘heart-warming Amsterdam’

project. But that goes also for young professionals who are striking out on their own here and organizations that are offering ecological walks in the district.”

Yvette can’t wait to see all the submissions and initiatives in Zuidas. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a big project or a small initiative. I’m hoping that projects which think they’re too small right now will actually enter the competition. My message to everyone is: don’t be shy, tell us what you’re doing! No matter how big or small. The more entries we get, the more we mau accomplish.”

Read more about the 2023 Zuidas Sustainability Award on: www.zuidasduurzaam.nl

Text: Gordana Todorovic

ADAM HELPT & LEASEPLAN: SOCIAL INEQUALITY IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS

Tessa Peetoom, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at LeasePlan, and Melissa Maikoe, Corporate Volunteering Manager at Adam Helpt, talk about the importance of corporate volunteering and why a social impact day would be a great start to bring a company, its employees and communities closer together.

Tessa, what does ‘volunteering’ mean to you?

Tessa: “Volunteering is about minding social gaps and building bridges. We usually spend most of our time with people who have a similar background and a comparable lifestyle. That’s why we tend to forget that things like living in a secure neighborhood, having enough food in the fridge and going on holiday are a privilege. Volunteering makes us shift our perspectives by stepping out of this ‘bubble’, providing help where needed and thus creating meaningful connections – not only with the community, but also our colleagues.”

You were responsible for the roll out of a new corporate volunteering policy at LeasePlan. Why should corporate

volunteering be an essential part of a company’s ESG strategy?

Tessa: “Everybody should be able to participate in society, and we must create the right conditions for that to happen. By implementing a well-defined volunteering policy and stimulating employees to engage socially, companies ‘walk the walk’ in partnering with the communities in which they’re based and help create more socially responsible citizens. At LeasePlan, our employees are entitled to at least half a day off to spend on volunteering activities every year, resulting in over 32,000 hours dedicated to different good causes. We want to signal our employees that it is important to make time to contribute and give back to society. At the same time, we offer them the opportunity to grow and find a sense of purpose in life that goes beyond a paycheck.”

Melissa, you coordinate corporate volunteering activities daily. Why are corporate volunteers so important for our communities?

Melissa: “Without the help of volunteers, many services and opportunities in our communities would not be so readily available. By donating a few hours of their time, volunteers ensure that children go to school with a proper lunch, or that homeless people

are provided with a warm meal. When taking elderly people out for a nice walk or organizing a afternoon full of games for people with special needs, they do not only provide people with joyful moments, but also assist health personnel who lack the time for it. That being said, corporate volunteers are not replacing paid personnel, but help social change forward by contributing to the well-being of vulnerable people and making them feel acknowledged.”

You recently coordinated a social impact day for LeasePlan. What makes an impact day such an effective way to enhance engagement in corporate volunteering?

Melissa: “In general, an impact day is an approachable way to introduce employees to volunteering and get them enthusiastic about it. Because the entire company attends such a day, employees do not want to miss out on that. Another advantage is that people from different teams and departments come together to volunteer. This allows them to get to know each other better outside the formal office setting. At Adam Helpt, we organise team building activities and impact days for group sizes, varying from six up to six hundred corporate volunteers. For LeasePlan,

we have organised four different volunteering activities in an underprivileged neighborhood in Amsterdam. Based on their interest, the eighty participants could choose between gardening activities at an inclusive petting farm, painting rooms at a family shelter, helping out at a thrift shop and rejuvenating a kid’s playground.”

Tessa, what is your most touching memory of the LeasePlan volunteer day?

Tessa: “When volunteering at the playground, some of the neighborhood kids stood at the edge watching with big round eyes while we were moving bags with fresh sand to renew their sandpit and making it a safe place to play. As soon as we were done, they immediately jumped on the seesaw with a big smile. That was amazing to witness..” Adam

Tessa Peetoom

Melissa Maikoe

FROM A TO ZUIDAS PLATFORM

From A to Zuidas is a platform in which Green Business Club Zuidas, ORAM, the Zuidas Accessibility Task Force, AmsterdamZuidas district, Breikers and Hello Zuidas are working together to promote sustainable mobility to and from Zuidas.

What does From A to Zuidas do?

Many organizations in Zuidas are involved in sustainable mobility, and even more in mobility initiatives and solutions. From A to Zuidas was set up to synergize all these various access and mobility endeavours. Above all, the aim is to facilitate employers and commuters, offer a clear and comprehensive overview of options, and thereby help everyone quickly and easily connect to the right mobility solutions and partners. Find out more on the website: www.vanatotzuidas.nl

Zuidas is gearing up for some major changes in the years ahead, targeting both infrastructure and use. Designing a sound mobility programme in cooperation with employers to improve local connectivity and sustainability is therefore crucial. From A to Zuidas has been actively working to involve area employers in developing this long-term programme.

Sounding board

It is in this context that the first meeting of our sounding board was held in coordination with the Zuidas Accessibility Task Force on 10 January. The meeting discussed different local organizations’ responsibilities and objectives. The main question was how we can collectively maintain a high level of access in Zuidas in the face of ongoing development. The group identified a wide range of challenges and opportunities that will be discussed further as we continue working out these plans in the months ahead.

To be continued...

Several sounding board meetings are being held in 2023 to flesh out a personal mobility model with and for employers. If you would like to take part, get in touch with Rinske Berg, Mobility & Accessibility project manager at Hello Zuidas: rinske.berg@hellozuidas.com.

Zuidas Accessibility Task Force members go cycling!

New developments are transforming Amsterdam-Zuidas practically every minute. In February, members of the Zuidas Accessibility Task Force jumped on their bikes to take a closer look at these developments, under the expert guidance of area managers Maarten van Ettekoven and Thomas Bokeloh, who both work for the city. Our bicycle tour took us past a variety of construction projects and sparked discussions about attendant disruptions, problems and safety issues.

From A to Zuidas is a platform in which Green Business Club Zuidas, ORAM, the Zuidas Accessibility Task Force, AmsterdamZuidas district, Breikers and Hello Zuidas work together to promote sustainable mobility to and from Zuidas.

The Zuidas Accessibility Task Force is an alliance between government and industry partners established to foster discussion about access to Zuidas. Member companies take part in the Task Force as users of the area with a responsibility for maintaining good access to Zuidas. The Zuidas Accessibility Task Force is part of the From A to Zuidas (Van A tot Zuidas) platform.

TASKFORCE BEREIKBAARHEID ZUIDAS

Groots wonen dichtbij de Zuidas

Wonen in Quatrebras Park is groots! Vlakbij de Zuidas en dichtbij de stad heb je in Badhoevedorp alle ruimte. Quatrebras Park biedt je een comfortabel en toekomstbestendig thuis, maar wel in stijlvolle jaren ’30 architectuur. Alle woningen worden energieneutraal gebouwd op eigen grond. Ze zijn gasloos en worden voorzien van een warmtepomp en zonnepanelen. Samen met de hoogwaardige isolatie zorgt dit voor lage energiekosten (energielabel A+++). Groots genieten begint direct doordat de woningen standaard met complete keuken en ingerichte badkamer worden opgeleverd. Deze kun je tijdens je bezoek aan Homestudios nog helemaal naar eigen smaak en wensen aanpassen. In Quatrebras Park woon je stijlvol met het comfort van nu. Vind je ideale vrijstaande woning, hoekwoning, rijwoning of twee-onder-één-kapwoning op Quatrebrasbadhoevedorp.nl

NEW MEMBERS

Hello Zuidas welcomes the following new members

STRANDZUID

Sector: Restaurants and events

Employees: about 30 FT’ers

Link with Zuidas: At a surprising location behind RAI Amsterdam, you will find the most versatile location in Amsterdam. Strandzuid is the ultimate place for your drinks, a delicious dinner or event. Everyone is welcome here!

Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: To connect with our neighbours and make Strandzuid known in Zuidas.

TRAINMORE PARNASSUSWEG

Sector: Fitness & Wellbeing

Link with Zuidas: TrainMore is your urban fitness playground that rewards you with a €1 discount per workout, the best equipment, and extended opening hours. Parnassusweg is our first TrainMore location in Zuidas.

Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: TrainMore offers a unique contrast to the current fitness market in Zuidas. It’s home to a modern, goaloriented community that we are looking to expand to in Zuidas.

PAPA’S LOFT HOUSE

Sector: Hospitality

Number of employees: 5-10

Link with Zuidas: We are located right next to the Zuidas, at walking distance. Being both a restaurant and an event location we have something to offer for both business and leisure guests from the surrounding area.

Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: To introduce ourselves and connect with fellow members. Because we are located inside the Element by Westin Hotel Amsterdam, we were already associated to the Hello Zuidas community. Opening the restaurant gives us even more chance to welcome and meet the other members, so we hope to see you soon!

FERILLI’S SPECIALITA UPTOWN

Sector: Restaurants

Employees: 20

Link with Zuidas: Ferilli’s Specialità UpTown, located in the iconic “Valley” building, offers authentic Italian cuisine daily. They also offer a cool and energetic dining experience, complete with live DJ sets on Friday and Saturday evenings and during a monthly Sunday Brunch.

Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: Ferilli’s Specialità UpTown is committed to fostering a sense of community and warmly welcomes guests from all walks of life, whether they’re visiting for business or leisure. As an integral part of the local area, this all-day Italian restaurant located in the “Valley” building in Amsterdam’s dynamic Zuidas district is a hub for connecting with likeminded individuals over delicious food and drinks.

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Dit jaar vieren we dat Roberto’s 30 jaar bestaat. Sinds de oprichting in 1993 is Roberto’s doorgegaan met het verenigen van verschillende Italiaanse regio’s in unieke gerechten. Met seizoensgebonden menu’s geïnspireerd op de verschillende klimaten in Italië en de diverse ingrediënten die daaruit worden geproduceerd, is Roberto’s erin geslaagd de puurheid van de traditionele Italiaanse keuken te behouden.

Scan de QR-code om onze gloednieuwe website te bezoeken.

SCAN HIER

RENESSENCE

Sector: Well-being & Wellness

Employees: 20+

Link with Zuidas: Renessence offers innovative tech treatments and classes to take care of your mental and physical well-being. Our state-of-the-arc location in Zuidas invites you to recharge, rebalance and revive.

Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: Renessence is about creating serenity in the midst of the storm. After a busy workday, walk around the block and refocus on your mental and physical well-being.

CORA DELICATESSEN

Sector: Restaurants

Link with Zuidas: Our first store has been located in the canal district in the Amsterdam city center for over a decade, and last year we opened a shop in Valley. We offer delicious sandwiches, fresh juices and coffee. Everything is available to go as well as to order and enjoy at our spot on the first floor.

Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: It’s time to meet our neighbors, not only in Valley, but also around at the Zuidas!

URBAN GYM GROUP

Sector: Fitness & Well-being

Employees: 350+

Link with Zuidas: Urban Gym Group is a world-leading fitness group with over 21 locations in Amsterdam, and four in Zuidas. Our newest TrainMore location in Tower Ten will open this summer.

Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: The Urban Gym Group is aiming to expand the variety of fitness solutions in Zuidas by offering unique concepts to fit individual needs.

FRITS FRIDAY

Branche: Events

Employees: 2

Link with Zuidas: Frits has been your go to for drinks at unique locations for eight years now. In Zuidas, Strandzuid is one of the locations where Frits likes to bring people together and he is ready to expand his location portfolio.

Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: Frits would like to contribute to making Zuidas even more fun than it already is and hopes to be able to do that by organizing events and bringing likeminded people together at his drinks. By becoming a Hello Zuidas member, he hopes to be of service to other members.

MEMO BOARD

WILD AND THE MOON

NOW ALSO AT CLUBSPORTIVE

Sometimes, all you crave after a good workout is a crisp salad or fresh smoothie. So how great is it that, with one location in Zuidas already, Wild and the Moon have opened a second premises at Clubsportive? Drop by for a delicious snack, juice or shake made from locally sourced, seasonal and responsible ingredients.

Nominate yourself or someone else for the 2023 Zuidas Sustainability Award!

The Zuidas Sustainability Award is returning for a second edition in 2023. Presented to sustainable initiatives at the end of the year, in Zuidas, it recognizes efforts in five categories. The first edition of the new annual competition was held last year, taking over from the Zuidas Sustainability Report that was published during the previous eight years. The award offers a platform to showcase sustainable initiatives and inspire further sustainable developments in Zuidas, while shining a spotlight on all the enterprises and individuals working to green Zuidas. From small-scale efforts to large projects, last year’s winners demonstrated just how broad the spectrum of green initiatives in Zuidas is. And this year is even better, because now you can nominate someone else, too!

Circular Expo in CIRCL

In early February it was Circular Economy Week. Naturally, it was an occasion marked by many Zuidas organizations. Including CIRCL, which put together a variety of activities and workshops. Visitors could also see a fascinating presentation by the Club of Circular Entrepreneurs. This group of 22 forward-thinking enterprises and pioneering companies, including Swapfiets, Fairphone and Reflower, hosted a free pop-up expo spotlighting circular products, services and innovations. As well as showcasing good initiatives, the presentation was also a call to action for other companies and organisations to double down on sustainability.

A YEAR OF EVENTS!

Social Club is a vibrant social community for all professionals based in the World Trade Center Amsterdam. To kick off a year packed with events, they hosted a fun gathering in early January with magicians, good food, great music and above all, ample opportunity to connect with other tenants. It was a fabulous start to the new year!

FEAT OF LOGISTICS AT ZUID STATION

It was a monumental job: in late January, a three million kilogram colossus of steel and concrete was manoeuvred into place next to the A10 motorway, to make room for construction of the fifth section of the roof over the Brittenpassage – the new passageway being built west of the station’s existing pedestrian tunnel. The fourth roof section, a giant concrete slab measuring 70 by 14.5 metres, had been sitting on its construction platform next to the A10 for some time. During this massive operation, the slab was pushed 21.5 metres in the direction of the roadway at an average speed of around seven metres per hour. The public were welcome to come watch the spectacle. Dozens of people took advantage of this unique opportunity and meanwhile got to hear about all the ins and outs of the ‘big push’. With this roof section in place, construction can progress to the next phase.

Text: Tessa Burger

Photography: Marcel Steinbach

Zuidas is best known as Amsterdam’s business district, chock-a-block with skyscrapers and scores of offices. More recently, however, the district has grown into a veritable urban neighbourhood and a great place to live and hang out. Many businesses have also discovered Zuidas, and with their arrival, the district has added a wide range of services and amenities, including shops, schools, fitness centres and places to drink and dine. Powering each of these establishments are entrepreneurs and employees with their own special, personal stories that we’re eager to share with you.

MEET THE...

TECHNICAL WORK PLANNER

Take a stroll around the World Trade Center Amsterdam and you’ll see any number of projects delivered by EQUANS. From lighting installations to full-scale renovations and from climate and sprinkler systems to computer networks. With one of its locations in the heart of Zuidas, EQUANS is a global market leader in the technical services sector. Rene Tettero has been working in technical building services for 42 years, including 13 at EQUANS in the WTC Amsterdam. As a work planner, he’s currently in charge of staff assignments and the preparation of a number of projects, and also liaises with customers.

What kinds of services does EQUANS offer?

“We focus on sustainable solutions tailored to our customers. We design, install, maintain and advise on technical systems. So, we’re responsible for systems maintenance and management and we help with the creation of new buildings, but we also make existing buildings smarter.”

Is the company involved in the energy transition as well?

“Climate change is a major concern for us and we’re always in search of eco-friendly materials and techniques. It’s good to see the rapid development of sustainable options in

climate system technology and electrotech, which lets allows us offer custom sustainable solutions to optimize buildings, processes, systems and installations. My own area of expertise is electrotechnology. We have a range of different specialists on our team, including one for climate and sustainability. That makes EQUANS a terrific company to work for, because we can serve everyone.”

What part of your job energizes you the most?

“I’m proud whenever we’ve deliverd a project from A to Z and the customer is satisfied. If at the end of the day a customer says, ‘Hey, Rene, you guys did a great job!’, obviously

I’m pleased. Of course, it’s important to stress that I’m not working alone, but with our whole team. A team consists of a project leader, work planner, operative crew and some ace technicians. When a team operates like clockwork, I’m happy.”

So, how do you keep teams working smoothly?

“In the WTC we work with two teams, for modification and maintenance. That makes about twenty people altogether. From day to day there are also scores of other people working for the WTC, both visibly and behind the scenes. People like drafters, engineers and designers. To keep these teams running smoothly, communication is key. I think it’s important to keep communicating with each other about both work and private issues, through good times and bad. And also to offer a listening ear to my colleagues. Standing side by side with colleagues, not in front of or behind them, is important to me.”

Rene Tettero

MEMBERS

53. Customized Media

54. Cyrille van Hoof

55. De Betaalvereniging 56. D&B The Facility Group

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

De Hypotheker

De Kredieter

De Nieuwe Poort

De Pizzabakkers | Zuidas

Foundation Hello Zuidas

WTC Amsterdam

Strawinskylaan 61 1077 XW - Amsterdam +31 (0)20 333 74 41 servicepoint@hellozuidas.com www.hellozuidas.com www.facebook.com/hellozuidas www.instagram.com/hellozuidas www.twitter.com/hellozuidas

Our goal

With an excellent business climate, worldrenowned educational institutions within reach, and leading companies in many sectors from many countries, the Zuidas has huge potential. The foundation Hello Zuidas contributes to the Zuidas by realizing a well functioning area. The goal is to promote a district that has international appeal, and high quality working and living conditions.

Hello Zuidas invests in trees! How we do that? Through our sponsorship for Trees for All, we plant trees that restore existing forests.

Zuidas Publishers

WTC Amsterdam

Strawinskylaan 151 1077 XX Amsterdam +31 (0)20 362 09 93 info@zuidaspublishers.nl www.zuidaspublishers.nl

Copyright © 2023 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.

Circulation Free for Zuidas and Amsterdam

South. It is be distributed by promo teams, loose circulation, HRM departments of companies within Zuidas to guarantee reaching the (sub) target groups of Zuidas, Amsterdam and Schiphol.

159. Olympisch Stadion

160. ONE-Dyas B.V.

161. Onemeeting.com

162. Openbare Bibliotheek

163. ORAM

164. Oranje Energie

165. Ox & Bucks

166. Papa’s Loft House

167. PAN Amsterdam

168. Pancakes Amsterdam

169. Pathé

170. Personality

171. PizzaLab

172. Poké Perfect

173. Premier Suites Plus Amsterdam

174. Projectorganisatie Zuidasdok

175. Property NL B.V.

176. Protiviti

177. Provast

178. Q-Park Nederland

179. Rabobank A’dam Markt Zuid

180. RAI Amsterdam

181. Regus

182. Renessence

183. RGA International Reinsurance

184. Rialto

185. Rivers

186. Rob Peetoom

187. Robert Walters

188. Roland Berger

189. Ronald McDonaldhuis VUmc

190. Rosarium

191. Russell Reynolds Associates

192. Savills Amsterdam

193. Salsa Shop

194. Season-Flowers

195. Securitas

196. Shinyu Body & Mind

197. Simmons & Simmons LLP

198. Sixt

Smartphone

213. Taxicentrale Amsterdam (TCA)

214. The Bank of New York Mellon

215. The Basket

216. The Breakfast Club

217. The Office Operators

218. The Upside Down Amsterdam

219. Thomaskerk Amsterdam

220. Tierra

221. TPEX

222. Trainmore

223. TREC

224. Tribes

225. Urban Gym Group

226. Urban Salad

227. Van der Valk Hotel

Amsterdam Zuidas

228. Van Dijk & Ten Cate

229. Van Gool Elburg

230. Van Lanschot Kempen

231. VanLoman 232. Vebego

233. Vermaat Groep 234. Vesteda

235. Vet Digital 236. Victory Real Estate 237. Von Poll Real Estate 238. VondelGym

239. VORM Ontwikkeling

240. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

241. VU | Griffioen

242. Wagamama

243. Watersportvereniging De Koenen

244. Welcome Home

245. WeWork

246. Wild & The Moon

247. Wineboutique & Spirits

248. Wintertaling

249. WTC Amsterdam

250. WTC A’dam Business Club

251. WTCafé De Blauwe Engel

252. WuSH

253. X.Bike

254. XO Optics

255. X2X Worldwide Express

256. Your Assistant

257. Zone2Source

258. Zuidas Apotheek

259. Zuidas Bier

260. Zuidas gemeente Amsterdam

208. Symphony’s

209. Taalcentrum - VU

210. Tandartsenpraktijk Van de Veer

211. Taylor Wessing

212. Tax Consultants International

Editor-in-chief Romy Lange Editor & Sales Céline Boute, Brigitte Oosterhuis & Tessa Burger

Intern Sophia Etmans

Art Director Emiel Brouwers • IMAGEAU

Translation Taalcentrum-VU

Final Editor Ellen Josée Westrik

Printed by Magazine Masters

Frequency Six times a year (bi-monthly)

Editors

Romy Lange, Céline Boute, Brigitte Oosterhuis, Ramon Holle, Tessa Burger, John Leerdam, Gordana Todorovic, Sophia Etmans & Cathelijne Cras

Photography

Caily Bobbie Jo, Roxanne Wilm, Davide Gallery, Nestor Tsakirakis (Studio Klijn) & Alizée Le Bouteiller

261. Zuidas Markt

262. Zuidas Publishers

263. Zuidas Today

264. ZuidasTravel.nl

Magazine Hello Zuidas is issued by

Editorial advisory board Olivier Otten, Angela Ham, Elisa Schouten, Gordana Todorovic & Jos Moerkamp

Thanks to Suzanne Kwakkernaat (De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek), Eefje Voogd, Savills, Kroonenberg Groep, Zuidas (Gemeente Amsterdam), Hyde Park, Gelderlandplein, Q Residences, Taalcentrum-VU, De Hypotheker, Nederlandse Vereniging van Banken, Van Poelgeest, Enterprise Netherlands, John Leerdam, Van Lanschot Kempen, Tony Wijntuin, Nynke Popma, Yvette Watson, AM, Ronald Huikeshoven, Corporate Housing Factory, Wonderwoods, G&S&, aarts & co, Roberto’s, Sense Vastgoed, N/XT, Taylor Wessing, Hendrik Jan Schimmel, Adam Helpt, 1nergiek, Martijn Kock, CBRE Investment Management, Green Business Club Zuidas, SiS, D&B The Facility Group, Franc van Nunen & Rene Tettero

Luxury living in Amsterdam’s greenest district, its beauty drawn inside through floor-height windows. That’s life in Q Residences. The warm lobby and high-end rental apartments with quality finishing will make you feel right at home.

A NEW ICON IN TOWN