RCD Magazine #12 by Zuidas Publishers

RCD

#12

ROTTERDAM-CENTRALDISTRICT.NL NOVEMBER 2023

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M A G A Z I N E

‘GOOD ENERGY TANK STATION’ TO ADD COLOUR TO WEENA With Roos Zondervan, concept developer at Re:Invent

COFFEE BREAK with Marius Meurs

D&B THE FACILITY GROUP develops innovative concepts with hospitality at heart

RCD INTRODUCES community manager Wendy Krohn

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therooftopatghg.nl 0103510123 Stationsplein 45 3013 AK Rotterdam

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M A G A Z I N E

PREFACE

ROLLING UP OUR SLEEVES 4

The Central District has seen no end of plans and initiatives

sleeves. Dirk Deichmann, associate professor at Rotterdam

in recent years, for everything from new housing to multi-

School of Management, underlines that not everything can

tenant buildings and from traffic reductions to expansive

be tested on paper. Rather, it’s by exchanging ideas and a

green landscaping. Yet, for all that, the area still lacks vibran-

process of trial and error that you learn how to make things

cy and life. In this issue we bring you several individuals who

better. Melissa Kooke of D&B The Facility Group and Doppio

shine their own light on this topic. Marius Meurs, former

Bike owner Peter Eiselin also share their thoughts about inno-

executive director of the Groot Handelsgebouw and trea-

vation in this issue.

surer of the RCD Association, sees opportunities to extend arts and culture out from Schouwburgplein. Local resident

And that’s not all. These pages offer plenty more fascinating in-

Mirjam Hensgens, who has lived in the district for more than

terviews with inspiring names from the Central District, includ-

twenty years, agrees: why create isolated clusters of art and

ing the ladies behind Krozant, DUO for a JOB and Salsability. As

culture when they could wind their way throughout the city?

2023 draws to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best in the new year. And also to thank all the

That’s exactly what Roos Zondervan, concept developer at

wonderful partners who stood with us during this past year:

Re:Invent, is attempting with the Weena 70 project: to inject

we look forward to making the most of 2024 with you!

more colour. Not only in the building, but through the whole surrounding area. She’s doing that by reaching out to local

Until next year! Happy reading,

business owners and neighbourhood residents. Because,

Céline Boute & Romy Lange

if you aim to innovate, you have to be willing to roll up your

Editors of RCD Magazine

THANKS TO

INDEX

COFFEE BREAK with Marius Meurs

D&B THE FACILITY GROUP develops innovative concepts with hospitality at heart

RCD INTRODUCES community manager Wendy Krohn

8 cove rst or y ‘GOOD ENERGY TANK STATION’ TO ADD COLOUR TO WEENA

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With Roos Zondervan, concept developer at Re:Invent

7 What’s on?

Check the RCD Agenda

Doppio Bike The efficient and eco-friendly way to get around

8 Coverstory with Roos Zondervan

RCD BIZ Development updates

Concept developer at Re:Invent

RCD Members

‘Good Energy Tank Station’ to add colour to Weena

RCD Introduces New community manager Wendy Krohn

RCD Up 2 Date

RCD People

Taking the stage

“Central District has gone from an area you’d avoid

18 21

40 43

Culture

Architecture

Malek Abu Ayyash: our own Rotterdam salsa king

Success Story KROZANT connects locals in car park

RCD Hotspots

Innovation Special

Introduction with Dirk Deichmann,

FIRST 47

Social impact

Duo for a Job: connecting diverse backgrounds and

associate professor at RSM 28

Savills Investors more flexible and looking to smaller ticket sizes

Column by Eduard Voorn “Dancing to Berlin beats in a Rotterdam car park”

to a place you want to go.”

Coffee Break With Marius Meurs, treasurer RCD Association

Home tours

generations

D&B The Facility Group

Memoboard

Develops innovative concepts with

Join the Rotterdam Central District Community

RCD Members and BIZ & Colophon

hospitality at heart

M A G A Z I N E

We are Jordy and Douglas We are Dealdriven We are Offices and Logistics We are Sales and Acquisitions

Unique expert perspectives on the future of real estate #WeAreSavills It’s our people that make Savills different. Each and every one of them are expert real estate professionals. But above all - they have a personal approach. Committed, driven, down-to-earth and solution-oriented. Working with you today, offering strategic advice for tomorrow. Property starts with people

AGENDA

CLOSED EYES

29 November untill February 10 @ Theater Rotterdam Alida Dors’ latest production interweaves dance, film, music and spoken work to take audiences on a journey to Ganzee, a fictional village at the bottom of the Brokopondo Reservoir in Suriname. The six dancers, three musicians and a singer join to create a spellbinding world where boundaries are overstepped and the extraordinary becomes possible.

LEAH RYE

22 December @ Roodkapje Dreams, mysticality and melancholy are recurring themes in Leah Rye’s music. Her dream pop often carries a shadowy undertone and delicately treads

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the line between avant-garde experimentation and mainstream radio appeal. Yet, amidst all the electronic complexity and intensity, her exceptionally pure and

clear voice always stands out.

WAVEFORMERS 13 December @ De Doelen Kids

JUNE FREEDOM 7 SEAS TOUR 25 January @ BIRD

Spreading Cape Verdean vibes wherever he goes, June Freedom is an artist

Come to a studio session and

not to be missed. After hits including ‘YSL’ and ‘Colabo’, his latest 7 SEAS

discover the magic of sound.

album and tour are sure to be another sensation. Catch June at BIRD on

Musikarbeiter opens its

Thursday 25 January!

laboratory doors for a special Waveformers workshop where young visitors can get to work like real-life scientists, exper-

STICKS

iment with the Musikarbeiter

14 December @ Annabel

systems and experience how

Since making his musical début

sound is made!

as part of the Dutch rap group Opgezwolle, Sticks has grown to become one of the leading lights of the country’s hip hop scene. His early co-productions with the rapper Rico and producer Delic led to a succession of wide-ranging projects, followed by a string of albums featuring Sticks both solo and joined by members of the Fakkelbrigade.

M A G A Z I N E

TEXT Céline Boute

PHOTOGRAPHY Marjolijn Tenge

Roos Zondervan with colleague Arno Kelders

COVER STORY

‘ GOOD ENERGY TANK STATION’ TO ADD COLOUR TO WEENA

In the last issue, we gave you a sneak preview of plans for the temporary repurposing of Weena 70. Now, Roos Zondervan, concept developer at Re:Invent, is injecting colour into the building, which is being totally transformed with materials and furnishings left behind by the previous tenant, Shell. Roos has already brought several concepts to life through her own business. She even rigged up a theme restaurant, called Garage Rotterdam, for the Nieuwe Luxor Theater’s production of ‘De Marathon’ in a mere ten days. “Weena 70 feels like a Garage 2.0”, she begins enthusiastically. “It’s temporary and I asked everyone in my network to bring us their old junk to give it a new lease of life. That’s what sparked off the connection with entrepreneurs all over the city and the drive to create something together. Only, this project is a whole lot bigger and the partnership with a.s.r. real estate opens up many more avenues.”

CAN YOU TAKE US THROUGH THE PRELIMINARY PLANS AND DESIGN FOR WEENA 70? “We’ve conceptualized Weena 70 as a kind of platform with an upcycling outlook and approach to selecting partners. It’s a vast building with enough space and entire floors available for corporate tenants, and room left over for a creative small-business incubator. Specifically, our focus is on social entrepreneurship, cultural initiatives, working through Choosewise (a pay-per-minute workplace webapp for easily checking in and out), memberships, conventional offices and, lastly, meeting places. The interior furnishing is 95% upcycled. We are working with the interior designer Sheryl Leysner to make an impact at this location. Our objective is to build a new interior (re)using all the stuff we find and that was left behind by Shell. There’s a nod to that in the payoff as well, which translates as ‘The Good Energy Tank Station’. Planters will be made from the old desks, for example, and lamps from old safety mirrors. It will have an eighties style interior as the building was originally built in the 1980s. So, we are literally injecting colour into it; we want ‘eternal summer vibes’ that make people feel happy whether they’re coming or going.”

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M A G A Z I N E

“ There will be an incredibly unique sky bar on the sixteenth floor, with a panoramic view across the city.”

WHO IN ROTTERDAM ARE YOU PARTNERING WITH TO ACCOMPLISH THIS? “Reuse is the guiding concept, so we looked for prospective Rotterdam partners based on that. There will be a new entrance space with a café/bar and an area where creative entrepreneurs can exhibit their work. We’ve teamed up with Sococo Social Coffee Company as the catering partner. They work directly with the coffee farmer, who produces and ships ecologically. And, on a social level, they give people a second chance by providing employment tracks. We are also partnering with The Swapshop. The Swapshopis a clothing exchange shop on the ground floor. You can hand in a max of 5 previous favourite fashion items in their store. You receive swaps (points) in return. With these swaps you’ll get a 50% discount on all the fashion items in their store. And Kringloop Rotterdam will supply us with items to decorate the spaces. All these items will have a price tag and be available for purchase. The focus is on having impact, conscious entrepreneurship and wanting to help each other out. This could extend to other things, too, such as giving schools a platform for their programmes, shows or expositions. We like to create a program of activities that go on from early till late. From comedy shows to workshops to club nights on the sixteenth floor.”

THERE IS ALSO ROOM FOR LEASABLE SPACES. HOW WILL THAT WORK, AND WHO QUALIFIES? “Ideally, there will be a mix. With sixteen floors, we have plenty of space, so some floors can be entirely leased commercially. It would also be brilliant to lease a floor to small creative entrepreneurs who need their own space. We are also building some smaller office spaces in the building, which could be suitable for training programmes, corporates or creative entrepreneurs. I think that mix is key: younger, older

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and all different entrepreneurial backgrounds. With all that variety inside one building, people can also show each other what else is out there and support each other. I am also a big believer in sharing spaces. If you’re only using an office during the daytime, why not hire it out to, say, a education company in

the evening? It’s a so much more efficient use of large buildings like this, which otherwise sit empty for hours, when elsewhere space is in short supply.”

WHAT IS THE RETAIL STRATEGY FOR THE AREA’S STREET-LEVEL SPACE? “We had a really fantastic meeting with Tony Wijntuin, owner of consulting firm WYNE strategy and mixed-use strategist, and have opted for an additional entrance with a surrounding terrace, as how you enter a place is super important. And also to involve the whole street, so residents and businesses alike. And then, going back to the core concept: we want to add colour to Weena, so a mix is important, with shops, food and exhibitions. We are also talking with our neighbour Ron de Jong, who runs Stadscafé Weena, to look at what we could do with the area between our two terraces.”

WHAT CAN PEOPLE LOOK FORWARD TO HERE? “There will be an incredibly unique sky bar on the sixteenth floor, with a panoramic view across the city. The sky bar will also be available to hire. We want our programming to include activities that offer visitors a chance to take the lift all the way up. Spaces at the base will welcome the public to enjoy activities organized there. Programmes on the upper storeys will be by invitation only to ensure tenants’ privacy and security. And the first floor will be a colourful space with a stage and a bar to host presentations and meetings.”

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH READERS OF RCD MAGAZINE? “Come see it for yourself! If you’ve got an idea, come share it! Or, if you’re looking for a spot to work or venue to hire, drop by. We’re always happy to talk about the possibilities.”

M A G A Z I N E

RCD UP 2 DATE

RCD UP 2 DATE There’s no lack of urban renewal and development in Rotterdam Central District. On this page, we keep you up to date with the most important news about the place you work, live or come to visit.

TEMPORARY DESIGNATION OF SCHIEKADEBLOK CAR PARK The Schiekadeblok car park is soon to be vacated. As of 1 January 2024, AD Persgroep parking will move to the car park at Schouwburgplein 2. Future plans for the site involve transforming it into a dynamic green meeting place named Delftsehof, which will be surrounded by restaurants and terraces and have an underground car park for the new offices and apartments being built here. Until development starts,

Aerial photo of RCD

the municipality wants to make the area attractive for local residents and Schiekadeblok workers, businesses and visitors. The municipality organized a creative meeting to gather

RCD ZONING PLAN

ideas in October and a task force is now fleshing them out into a proposal for the site’s temporary design and program-

The zoning plan for Rotterdam Central District

M A G A Z I N E

declared objections to the plan unfounded this past October. This gives all stakeholders clarity on how RCD can develop. The final zoning plan stipulates functions that buildings in RCD are allowed to have (housing, offices, culture, food, etc.) as well as maximum building heights and where new development is permitted. Provast, for example, has permission to build the Tree House next to Central Station. The RCD zoning plan is available on the website Car park (©Iris van den Broek)

Artist impression of Tree House (©Provast)

ming. Details to follow in the next issue!

(RCD) has been finalized. The Council of State

ruimtelijkeplannen.nl.

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Photo of meeting

VOX POPS

TAKING THE STAGE

With the growing trend towards the use of shared rides and vehicles, there is less of a need to buy a bicycle, scooter or car of one’s own. This phenomenon illustrates the way today’s generations are rethinking mobility. There is now a wide array of shared transport options at our disposal, ranging from bikes to electric scooters to automobiles, all available for temporary hire. We wanted to find out: are people happy with this development?

DANIELE & TETES

TOMMY VAN DER BURG

think because we are a different generation. But I

can use it without having to shell out all the money to buy one. There

see lots of young people using it, particularly when

are enough hubs where you can get them in the city, but unfortu-

there are electric scooters, and I think it’s wonderful

nately not farther out. I can definitely see how they could become

that it exists! I mean in terms of sustainability and

a nuisance, but I’m also a big user. It’s a shame how people wreck

reducing carbon emissions in the city. Although,

them, just throwing them wherever. It’s symptomatic of the times

the municipality did have to step in a while back

and I don’t think there’s all that much you can do about it.”

“We have actually never used shared transport. I

“I definitely use shared transport: the Felyx! For me, it’s ideal. You

as there were too many shared bikes. I thought that was good, because at a certain point there was no place to park our own bikes anymore. Basically, it has to stay manageable. Not too many in certain places. But I think the municipality has things well in hand now. It could also be cheaper, because my kids say it costs a bundle. Short rides, for example,

TEXT Sophia Etmans

PHOTOGRAPHY Studio Bellamie Fotografie

are relatively expensive. If they changed that, I think many more people would use it.”

LARS & YANNICK Lars: “I rarely use it anymore.”

Yannick: “I use a shared car occasionally. It’s way too expensive, though. I’d change the price. That would make it more attractive to use. L: “I do like those kick scooters, but I get that they’re not available here. They’d be running everybody down. But they’re great in other cities.” Y: “I can see why these cars are expense, but unfortunately I need them.” L: “I’ve used the shared bikes, but I think they’re just too expensive now and not worth it. And, when I have used a shared scooter, it’s always a hassle putting it back. You need ten more minutes just to do that.”

CAITLIN TIMMERIJE & BRENDA VIS

“We don’t use shared transport because for scooters and cars you need a driving licence, which we haven’t got yet. We also don’t use shared bikes because for those you need a credit card, which we haven’t got either. I think it’s really useful that they are available. Only, peo-

HANNE & ELISABETH HOUBEN

ple misuse them sometimes as well.

“We just used shared mobility, as

see them broken down in front of

only ride the metro, tram and bus

it happens: a Donkey shared bike.

people’s houses. It would be good if

to get around. I am glad they’re

It was super convenient, especially

there were one fixed placed where

offered though. The OV bikes are

when you’re visiting a city. You do

they could all be parked. Now, peo-

brilliant since you can get them at

have to return it to a fixed collection

ple put them in green parking zones

every station. But people shouldn’t

point though. Unfortunately, not

so they don’t have to pay extra.”

be taking bikes into the metro. It’s

Riding around recklessly. Around where I live, the shared scooters also get wrecked sometimes, so you

IWAN HUNSEL

“I don’t used shared mobility as I

everyone does that, which can be a

dangerous, because if something

nuisance. You see people abandon-

were to happen people wouldn’t

ing scooters just anywhere.”

be able to get out fast enough. The

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shared scooters are good too, but some people are very careless with them, so that’s not good. I wish

DONNA & LOLA

that would be monitored more. So, I think the enforcement on shared

“I don’t really use it. You need a

scooters should be better.”

credit card or PayPal for all that, which unfortunately I haven’t got. It does annoy me as you see them parked in places they don’t belong. Just yesterday, I saw a picture of a scooter someone parked on a staircase. That’s really bad. You even see them in the bushes sometimes. It’s good they’re available, but only if they’re used correctly.”

DANIEL VAN BOKHOVEN

“I never really use it. Only the OV bike, very occasionally. I live on the other side of central station and we have loads of problems there, mainly with misparked scooters. We do what we can, so we report it whenever we see it, but, beyond that, there’s nothing you can do. You can’t ring up the municipality, unfortunately; you have to go to the specific company. It might be nice if they started coordinating that to have a central number you could ring.”

M A G A Z I N E

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M A G A Z I N E

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INTERVIEW

COFFEE BREAK WITH MARIUS MEURS

Marius Meurs has been an important presence in the Central District and the Groot Handelsgebouw for several decades. From committed citizen he became an entrepreneur committed to his city. The Groot Handelsgebouw came onto his path in 2005, when it was still a listed fund. He stood at the helm in a turbulent period, with a virtually empty Groot Handelsgebouw and the lingering bleakness that still clung to the area around the station. There was no trace of that anymore, under his watch the building became a dynamic hub. As has the RCD Association, in which he played a key role as board member and treasurer.

YOU SPENT THIRTEEN YEARS DEVELOPING THE GHG

smaller entrepreneurs. The Groot Handelsgebouw has gone

AND THE AREA AROUND CENTRAL STATION. WHAT

from a dull place to an attractive business location.”

HAS THE IMPACT BEEN? “I had lived but never worked in Rotterdam. It was a really a

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU SEE FOR THIS

great experience and I have seen the city change a great deal.

BUILDING AND THE DISTRICT?

The municipality did a terrific job sorting out the problems

“We need to bring a lot more life into the building. Kriterion

and drug scene around Central Station by the time I start-

on the seventh floor is a big eye-catcher, for example. If there’s

ed, in 2005, but by then it had also had the effect of making

something to do here and on the rooftop every day, that will

all the buildings here very shuttered. Early on, I was mostly

create a buzz outside office hours as well. If you have that

working on populating the building. Parallel to that, big ambi-

buzz in the whole building, with multiple places for people to

tions were being formulated for the area, with a new station

meet plus a new interpretation for the old Café Engels, that’s

and then the design of a mixed-use location. In 2007 the mu-

good for the Groot Handelsgebouw and the Central District.”

TEXT Céline Boute

PHOTOGRAPHY Marjolijn Tenge

nicipality and major players in the Central District signed an agreement that led to the creation of the RCD Association a

WHY DID YOU STAY INVOLVED IN THE RCD

few years later, with the mission to protect and promote local

ASSOCIATION?

interests. The station was built, the Weena tunnels expand-

“Hans de Jonge and I go way back, and, after I left GHG, I was

ed, the Schieblock took off and now other ambitions and de-

asked to become treasurer. We agreed that we’d stop after a

velopments are taking shape. Rotterdam has gradually gone

year’s term was up, and here we are, five years later. A team of

from port city to a city with a port. The face of the city has

us set up the BIZ, the Business Investment Zone, which gener-

been transformed. It has grown into a place that is confident

ates a much larger budget to start fleshing out ambitions. The

and where many things are possible.”

RCD Association is purely about community building now.”

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

YOU WILL BE SAYING FAREWELL TO RCD. LOOKING

“Establishing small businesses in this building, such as bring-

TOWARDS THE FUTURE, WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR

ing in CIC and setting up Kleinhandel. There was a tendency

THIS DISTRICT?

throughout this city to dismiss the value of small businesses

“My wish for the district is that it will be a good place to work,

and business owners. But so many great things can be creat-

to live and to enjoy, above all together. It will take time, but if

ed and, ideally, grow in an incubator. To do that, a building

people work together, it can happen. And I would love to see

like the GHG must live, and that’s more likely to happen with

more cultural investment in the area again.”

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“ From port city to city with a port”

M A G A Z I N E

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COLUMN

DANCING TO BERLIN BEATS IN A ROTTERDAM CAR PARK Dancing in a car park – make that: dancing in the car park beneath Schouwburgplein – sounds like a blast to me. The concrete sink between De Doelen and Theater Rotterdam, capped by West-8 co-founder Adriaan Geuze’s artwork, is deserted most of the time anyway, thanks to the city council’s decision to reduce automobile traffic and so make life nicer in the centre. Not a bad idea. So, how about the idea of dancing in a car park? Odd? Not at all. In fact, it’s the brainchild of D66 councillor Joan Nunnely, who, like so many in Rotterdam, is worried about the loss of city nightlife. In the local media, Joan explained:

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“Rotterdam’s night culture is under serious strain. We want the city to be buzzing again at night.”

Do nightclubs really matter all that much? Absolutely. Provided they are well integrated locally and run by experienced hands like Herman Hell, Nikki van Dijk or Ron de Jong, all three of whom are active in the Rotterdam Central District (RCD). Ron, for example, has been asked to build a ‘hospitality bridge’ between his Stadscafé Weena and the vacant Weena 70, for now dubbed the ‘Good energy refuelling station’. The former Shell division home is set to be transformed into a creative incubator for small businesses, with space on the sixteenth floor for a sky bar and plans for comedy shows and club nights.

M A G A Z I N E

Nightclubs matter not only as entertainment, but as a source of income for the local economy. During the most recent Rotterdam Architecture Month, Thys Boer of Eduard Voorn is a freelance

Rotterdam’s independent night council, N8W8, invited Lutz Leichsenring to speak.

journalist with a focus on

Lutz is part of the Berlin Club Commission, voice of that city’s club scene. When this

economics, and first and

commission’s seasoned club owners speak, the city administration and business sec-

foremost a Rotterdammer.

tor listen. It’s thanks to them after all that three million tourists flock from all over the

He lives in the villagey outskirts

globe to go out in the German capital each year, spending around 1.5 billion euros in

of Rotterdam Central District,

Berlin, according to Club Commission figures.

a pint at Biergarten or Weena,

RCD could use some of that Berlin buzz. If you ask me, the area doesn’t exactly feel

gets his caffeine fix at Lebkov,

alive with exciting activities. Whereas, with Weena 70 opening soon, having good and

catches the latest flicks in Pathé

safe nightlife facilities matters more than ever. According to Lutz, a buzzing nightlife

Schouwburgplein and sees

is a seedbed for young creative talent and a hub for exchange and active participation

Scapino at Theater Rotterdam.

in urban life. I embrace his vision: to get that creative buzz going, we need to invest

His kids were born in the now-

more in local cultural amenities.

famous Mecanoo architectural firm’s first project on Kruisplein.

So, anyone want to come dancing in the car park with me?

PHOTOGRAPHY Ralf Emmerich

eats his pizza at BIRD, raises

SUCCESS STORY

K ROZ A N T CONNECTS LOCALS IN CAR PARK

Both Nadia and Yvette originally moved to the Port City to study. They met whilst working restaurant jobs on the side, became friends, and began spinning dreams about opening their own place. In 2019 they started mak-

ing plans and even launched an Instagram page. Then the pandemic threw a spanner in the works and the business partners went their separate ways. But in early 2022, the old dream began tugging at them again, and they decided it was time to draw up a serious concept. Yvette explains,

Since this past summer, the heart of Rotterdam has been warmed by croissant ovens in the car park of the Groot Handelsgebouw. It’s here that friends and former colleagues Yvette Jansen (30) and Nadia Stam (27) have turned their foodie dream into reality with the opening of Krozant. From classic ‘krozants’ to savoury variations to viennoiserie specials like the pain suisse or cruffin. All are selling like hotcakes! And whichever you order, each of these baked goodies is made by hand with love and dedication. “It feels very special when talking and reflecting on it together like this, but when we’re at work it already feels totally normal”, Nadia says with a huge smile.

“The trouble was, there are so many things in catering that we

learned that there are so many factors affecting the dough and that making croissants is a real exercise in patience.” Eventually, they mastered all the tricks of the baker’s trade and found a spot to set up shop in the Groot Handelsgebouw’s covered car park. What clinched it for them were the huge shuttered windows. Yvette: “We had always pictured ourselves running a shop complete with tables and chairs, but now our focus is on perfecting our Krozant. We use French-imported flour and butter and roll everything by

like and enjoy, so choosing a concept was incredibly diffi-

hand. We want to wow every customer who comes by, so

cult.” That is, Nadia chimes in, “until a friend of mine told

the product has got to be perfect.” Coming up with new

us about a patisserie selling croissants in Breda, which im-

seasonal specials like their pumpkin spice cruffin or the

mediately sparked our enthusiasm. I was already baking as

almond Krozant will also soon become a menu fixture.

a hobby, so that was a natural fit. We came up with the idea

TEXT Céline Boute

De Rotte”, Nadia recalls. “We

to call it Krozant, so with a Rotterdam twist, and to special-

PERSONAL CONNECTION

ize in making the very best croissants. We were completely

As well as offering a specialized product, Yvette and Nadia

sold on the idea, not realizing the work that goes into it and

are both passionate about connecting with customers.

how sensitive the dough is”. Starting a business proved to

“We love seeing our regulars. That personal dimension

be a quite a puzzle, and Yvette admits it was heavy going at

makes our work so much more special and fun”, Nadia

times, but the pair complement each other well and so were

underlines. The fact that their shop regularly sells out is

able to clear every hurdle.

proof enough that the two have made a name for them-

TRICKS OF THE TRADE

selves in Rotterdam. Looking ahead, they are keen to expand both their storage capacity and their five-person

After taking a course with Kiki Suijkerbuijk, entrepreneur

team. “In the near term, we’d like to start taking business

and part of the Dutch Pastry Team, the two threw them-

catering orders. And longer term, we’d like to reach out to

selves into a period of kneading, rolling and baking. “We

the rest of the city and turn our product into a full Krozant

spent all our time practising in an empty restaurant on

experience. We hope to see you at our window!”

R C D

M A G A Z I N E

GENERAL MEMBERS MEETING, SEPTEMBER 13TH Members gathered at CIC Rotterdam on a lovely late summer’s day for the autumn meeting. The programme included a presentation on the

status of RCD BIZ projects targeting quality of life, mobility and climate adaptation, and updates about developments around Het Block, CIC and the Groot Handelsgebouw. Drinks and snacks were served after-

PHOTOGRAPHY Marjolijn Tenge

wards at the stunning rooftop bar on the Groot Handelsgebouw.

HOTSPOTS

HOTSPOTS In this issue we bring you another three delicious cafés that are well worth a visit. Beers & Barrels invites you to come enjoy their culinary delights, draw your own pints and dance the night away. Douwe Egberts Café offers a cosy spot for coffee lovers to relax, right outside the station. And discover colourful surprises, arcade games and a flavourful menu at The Rooftop at GHG. Whatever you’re in the mood for, we’ve got you covered with these three unique hotspots!

NATIONALENEDERLANDEN DOUWE EGBERTS CAFÉ

THE ROOFTOP AT GHG

Find your home away from home in this

colourful discoveries, play exciting ar-

Beers & Barrels is the place to go for de-

warm oasis directly outside Central Sta-

cade games and meet friends and col-

licious food, drinks and so much more!

tion. Whether you’re stopping in for your

leagues for a delicious meal or drinks.

It’s the perfect setting, whether you’re

caffeine fix, to enjoy a tasty homemade

And all ages are welcome! The Rooftop

with friends, family, colleagues or that

pastry or get breakfast to kick-start

lends itself perfectly for every kind of

special someone. Sit down, enjoy the

your day, come soak up the delicious

event. From small intimate gatherings

ambiance and tuck into their delicious

coffee vibe along with the friendly hos-

to big festive corporate functions, and

dishes, or discover how much fun it is

pitality and dedication of their baristas.

with large and small spaces that can be

to draw your own beer at their self-pour

Suffused with warmth, serenity and

tailored to your event’s needs, includ-

tables. But that’s not all, because after

cosiness, this café is the perfect spot

ing conference and presentation rooms

sundown Beers & Barrels is the hottest

to socialize, get lost in a book, study in

inside the building. The Rooftop at GHG

place in town to get down and boogie!

peaceful seclusion or simply relax in your

is open only until the end of December

favourite armchair. Open year-round, sev-

2023, so don’t miss out on the experi-

Want to find out about their other

en days a week. Welcome to your comfy

ence, dining options and monthly pro-

events? Check the DJ Nights page for

and delicious home away from home.

gramme of exciting events, live music,

BEERS & BARRELS

updates and the latest info about up-

The Rooftop at GHG is the place to make

R C D

M A G A Z I N E

drinks and fun activities.

coming activities!

STATIONSPLEIN 25 WWW.DECAFES.NL

TEXT Sophia Etmans

STATIONSPLEIN 45 WWW.THEROOFTOPATGHG.NL

KAREL DOORMANSTRAAT 1 WWW.BEERSBARRELS.NL

INNOVATION SPECIAL

HOW TO GENERATE INNOVATIVE IDEAS Innovation starts with a novel idea. Dirk Deichmann, associate professor at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), specializes in coming up with novel ideas and knows what it takes to spark off the creative process. He says trial and error are an essential ingredient. Dirk Deichmann long aspired to become an artist. Though life decided differently, his interest in developing creative ideas stayed strong. Born in Germany, Deichmann came to the Netherlands to study and did a Master’s degree in innovation management at Rotterdam School of Management. Later, he specialized in idea management. “I researched the process of idea generation for my PhD”, explains Deichmann. “From the identification of

TEXT Céline Boute & Lysanne Wilkens

an idea through to its development and implementation.” After his doctorate, Deichmann stayed on at RSM, where he now teaches in design thinking for various courses, including the MBA programmes. Through these courses, he guides students through the process of developing new ideas. “The most important thing I teach my students is that they have to try out lots of things before coming up with a successful idea. Many ideas never make it. Failure is part of the process. You’re best off treating it as a learning opportunity.”

INNOVATION MANAGEMENT IN PRACTICE According to Deichmann, the way companies and organizations approach innovation management differs widely in practice. “At international companies like Renault or Nutreco, the focus is on radically innovative ideas. There’s more money at stake and consequently the innovation process takes longer. Other companies such as DHL operate on a completely different system. They gather tens of thousands of ideas every year for tiny, low-level improvements. It’s not even so much about the ideas

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themselves but about giving employees a say.” There is no fixed formula for developing innovations. Yet, from what Deichmann has seen,

that’s precisely how organizations often approach new ideas. “Employees are asked to write a business plan outlining what their idea can contribute. But, instead of getting stuck in the theory, it’s best to put an idea into practice as soon as possible.” By experimenting on a small scale and visualizing your idea, Deichmann says, “you’ll accomplish more in less time than you would writing about all the ins and outs of your idea.”

WIN-WIN SITUATION Implementing ideas can have a positive effect on both a company and its workforce. When employees get to pitch in ideas, it boosts their commitment, satisfaction and loyalty. Deichmann: “It’s not even about the results as such. The process itself can bring about positive changes. Employees feel they are being heard.” Creating a space to share ideas is crucial to encourage employees in their creative process. “It’s important to shape an environment where people won’t feel conflicted about voicing criticisms and suggesting new ideas. Make sure there is room to experiment, that things don’t have to be all figured out in advance.” Deichmann underlines that it is also important to actually listen to those ideas and take them seriously. “If you want to encourage people’s creativity, it can be good to develop a framework

Scan the QR-code

that helps them think creatively. Urge people to

to find out more

come up with crazy ideas. Rejecting ideas out of

about the RSM MBA

hand will make them more reserved, and that only

programmes.

stifles creativity and innovation.”

M A G A Z I N E

BUSINESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

D&B THE FACILITY GROUP DEVELOPS INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS WITH HOSPITALITY AT HEART Melissa Kooke is part of the Business Development team on concept development for high-end corporates and real-estate companies, what D&B The Facility Group focuses on. The focal point is on optimizing the guest experience and facilitating employees. The two keywords, Melissa says, are hospitality and customization.

Another development that we’re work-

The way we work has changed signifi-

ing on is 3D printing meat alternatives

cantly in recent years. Partly due to tech-

together with Redefine Meat.”

nological advances, and partly out of a growing concern for employee wellbe-

CUSTOMIZATION

ing and sustainability. “Hybrid working

At the heart of every concept D&B de-

is the new standard and there is more

velops is optimizing the guest experi-

interest in corporate social responsibil-

ence. “That ties in with our hospitality

ity”, Melissa observes. “The increased

mission, which is woven into all D&B’s

focus on employee health and interest in

services. That’s why we always ask

sustainability have changed the way of-

ourselves, how does this renewal or in-

fices are being used. It’s crucial that D&B

novation contribute to the guest expe-

offers services aligned to that.”

rience?” Melissa explains. “At the same time, we’re dedicated to facilitating

Kooke in charge of concept develop-

GUEST EXPERIENCE AND INNOVATION

ment earlier this year. Since then,

Renewal and innovation are important

In Rotterdam, D&B is providing ser-

creating innovative concepts has be-

topics at D&B. The company is always

vices for WTC Rotterdam and Groot

come a structural part of the facilities

exploring new ways to optimize the

Handelsgebouw, among others. When

service provider’s operations. Melissa

guest experience, particularly through

developing concepts, Melissa says: “For

studied hospitality management and

technology. “Technology can help make

any given location, we assess what the

has worked at a number of different

services more efficient. For example,

needs are and how we can best meet

food sector companies. She joined D&B

we’ve been testing with a real-life holo-

them. One size does not fit all. Rather,

five years ago as food scout for their

graphic remote host. At the moment we

our motto is: ‘One size fits one’. There

We Canteen food court, and in 2020

are developing the functionality of the

is a big difference between the kind

was promoted to bid manager. “I was

remote host and customize the solu-

of experience you create in a multi-

tion per client. What matters is adding

tenant building with a bunch of differ-

concept can be implemented in office

value to the guest experience without

ent tenants as opposed to a corporate

spaces”, Melissa says. “In the food sec-

compromising on quality.”

where the company culture and its ser-

and supporting employees.”

PHOTOGRAPHY Caily Bobbie Jo

D&B The Facility Group put Melissa

always fascinated by how a business

TEXT Céline Boute & Lysanne Wilkens

CHANGING NEEDS

As bid manager, Melissa discovered the

der. “Though we’re a small player in the

sheer number of different services D&B

facility services field, we want to do all

offers to shape experiences. “I realized

we can to make a difference. Vegan and

there were many more ideas to develop

vegetarian menu options are a key part

Gondel 1

great initiatives, but there was no time

of that, and so is reducing food waste.

1186 MJ Amstelveen

and focus to tackle these. Now, in my

We are giving workshops and trainings

+31 (0)20 420 06 91

role as concept development manager, I

to our Chefs to increase the competence

www.db.nl

can pour all my energy into that.’’

in cooking vegetarian and vegan food.

tor, you use flavour and scent to craft

vices must be a consistent experience

an experience, but you can achieve the

Sustainability is also becoming an in-

same thing in an office building. That’s

creasing priority for companies. D&B

something I love thinking about.”

was recently awarded level 3 certification on the Dutch CSR Performance Lad-

throughout the office building.”

D&B THE FACILITY GROUP

“ With every innovation we ask ourselves: how does this contribute to the guest experience?” R C D

M A G A Z I N E

BUSINESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

DOPPIO BIKE THE EFFICIENT AND ECO-FRIENDLY WAY TO GET AROUND

Changing mobility laws inspired Peter Eiselin to come up with a more efficient and eco-friendly way to travel. His idea: doppio bike. As the popularity of fat bikes continues to grow, doppio bike sees opportunities to expand to more cities.

EXPANSION By now, doppio bike is an established name in the larger cities. The next step is duplicating that success in other cities. Eiselin: “We are investing in growth, but want to maintain our high standard

Increased crowding and congestion

commitment to quality, service and in-

of service at the same time. We have

in the city combined with legislative

novation have set doppio bike apart.

built up a community that is important

changes shunting scooters onto the

“We target the high end of the market”,

to us and indispensable for our suc-

roadway first gave Peter Eiselin the

Eiselin explains. “And we stay out of the

cess, because every satisfied custom-

idea to introduce a healthy and fun al-

price wars, because in the end that just

er generates another new customer.”

ternative to scooters and motorbikes.

tends to detract from quality.”

The bike manufacturer is also working

That was how doppio bike was born in

to become fully circular. Bikes can be

2018. The fat bike manufacturer was

BUSINESS RIDES

one of the first in the business. Now, it’s

doppio bike focuses mainly on busi-

“doppio bike has been in business five

hard to imagine a city without them. A

ness users, with a special Lease a Bike

years now, but a bike can basically last

option for companies. Bike leasing is

a hundred years”, Eiselin concludes.

becoming increasingly popular, notes

returned, traded in and refurbished.

Eiselin, who already supplies bikes to

EVEN BIGGER SUCCESS

employees at ABN AMRO, Baker McK-

The e-bike market is rapidly evolving.

enzie and McKinsey, to name a few. “Al-

“We are convinced that there are enor-

though cars are still sacred in Rotter-

mous opportunities for doppio, partly

dam, that is gradually changing. The

thanks to our focus on quality and its

number of lease cars is going down.

unique design. We believe that, with a

More companies are offering mobility

combination of capital, our network,

budgets and letting employees decide

and our expertise in tech and online,

how they want to travel.”

we can make doppio an even bigger success. The introduction of helmet re-

With speed limits to be reduced in ur-

quirements for mopeds in the middle of

banized zones, cars will soon become

next year will only further increase the

even less popular. Meanwhile, the scar-

demand for doppio.”

city and high cost of parking already TEXT Romy Lange

make it unattractive to drive into town.

Peter Eiselin

“People are switching from traditional

DOPPIO BIKE

vehicles to more sustainable alterna-

+31 (0) 85 200 75 40

tives, and doppio bike is a smart choice

www.doppio.bike

for business and private use alike.”

“People are switching from traditional vehicles to more sustainable alternatives”

R C D

M A G A Z I N E

RCD BIZ

RCD BIZ UPDATE The beginning of 2023 the BIZ (Business Investment Zone) was introduced in Rotterdam Central District. When an area is in full swing with multiple developments in the future it is important area management should not lag. A five-year plan has been drawn up in area development with three domains: liveability, mobility and climate adaptation. This issue explains currents developments of all three pillars.

LIVEABILITY The goal is to achieve a better ‘city at eye level’: a more lively experience for the visitors of the area. Research into the number and kind of visitors will be finished shortly. This will be combined with sharing information on development plans of building owners. Concurrence on the type of functions for the spaces at street level is essential. Building a common operation to achieve a coordinated approach is necessary. Well managed public space is of great importance. That is why an agreement has been made with the city on division of tasks and desirable quality level. The area manager will check the quality and contact the city or police to solve problems. A program of events for RCD is under construction. In december a winter market will be organised and appliances for outdoor sport will be installed in order to facilitate sport and bootcamps. Plans for the temporal use of the parking lot in Schieblock are in progress.

MOBILITY The plans for the renewal of Hofplein are offering a quality stimulus to the inner city and have large consequences for the accessibility. The BIZ is involved in the plans in order to safeguard the accessibility of the RCD area. The city is working on a Traffic Circulation Plan and the BIZ is providing input. We are working on mobility services like sharing (electric) scooters, cars and bicycles in the RCD area by creating ‘hubs’ where these services are provided. Area hubs are realised for sharing bikes and scooters at Weena, near Central Station, Central Post and Delftse Poort. The Hofplein Shell petrol station is being converted into charging station for all sorts of electric modes of transport. Share cars, bikes and scooters will

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also be offered there.

CLIMATE ADAPTATION We are currently working on greening the area RCD by creating “pocket parks’. This year pocketparks will be realised at Schieveld and near the old Icerink. © Guido Pijper

A green façade will be made in Delftse straat. Movable flowerboxes will be placed

with trees, grasses and flow-

ers in order to have all season green. The greening of facades is stimulated through customized advice for building owners. A workforce consisting of architects, landscape architects and city experts is active in this field. Advice on water retention, energy reduction and heat stress are under development.

M A G A Z I N E

RCD MEMBERS

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INTERVIEW

RCD INTRODUCES COMMUNITY MANAGER WENDY KROHN WHAT LED YOU TO THIS JOB AS COMMUNITY MANAGER? “Last year, I resigned from CIC after eight years and spent several months driving around Australia in a camper van. When I got back, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do. I decided to tap into my network, and within a day I got to meet Hans de Jonge, the chairperson, and a week later I was registering with the chamber of commerce. It just clicked, and I feel completely at home in the Central District. My network is mostly based here and, after so many years, this district holds a special place in my heart.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES YOU WANT TO PURSUE HERE? “To make the most of it! Way back when I started at CODUM on

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Delftseplein, we knew that everything we started there would be temporary. That created loads of freedom to experiment and led to initiatives like the Luchtsingel. I still

remember tearing that hole in the Schieblock. It was amazing! Twelve years on, the creative ecosystem in this part of the city is still thriving. Now, it’s surrounded by multinationals and start-ups that are keen to locate here because of the great connections. It’s really unique in the world: nowhere else is this mix as concentrated as in RCD, and people come from all over the globe to see what we are doing. That’s brilliant, right? My role is to make sure good ideas don’t sit gathering dust and are passed on to the right people or to rally more support.”

M A G A Z I N E

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SPOT IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT? “CIC was my home for eight years and I still love going supercharges me. Everyone is working hard to make the world a little bit better and is always happy to lend someone else a helping hand. They were all ready to help me with whatever I needed to get my business up and running. I hope to bring that energy and mindset with me to RCD.”

PHOTOGRAPHY Marjolijn Tenge

round there. The energy of the organization always

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH READERS OF RCD MAGAZINE? “Most of all, I would like to invite people to open their doors and look for ways we can work together to pilot this piece of the city into the future.”

TEXT Céline Boute

This September, an enthusiastic new community manager joined the Rotterdam Central District Association. Wendy Krohn has lived in the port city for more than 25 years and spent half her career involved in the Central District, mainly in the development of CIC in the Groot Handelsgebouw. With her innate happy-to-help mentality, Wendy is looking forward to taking the reins and bringing area residents, entrepreneurs and businesses closer together.

LIVING IN RCD

HOME TOURS

IN ROTTERDAM CENTRAL DISTRICT WITH MIRJAM HENSGENS

Mirjam Hensgens came to the port city from the eastern Netherlands 25 years ago for love. These days, she feels herself a full-blooded Rotterdammer and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Home for her is a lofty spot overlooking all the skyscrapers that have risen in the city centre in recent years. She revels in the area’s diversity and freedom for things to take root and grow. Mirjam made her own career in the creative sector and formed many of her friendships here. That’s reflected in her apartment, filled with works by local artists like multidisciplinary maker Ludo Roders.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THIS PART OF THE CITY?

WHAT COULD STILL BE IMPROVED?

“When we started looking for our own place to buy, we fo-

“City policies to help people in need should be better – also

cused our search around the Central District. We’d been liv-

to target drug crime and take harder measures to fight it.

ing above the Central Plaza for eight years by then and stay-

Complexes like ours have doorway sleepers and it’s left to

ing close to the station was crucial as my partner and I travel

us, as residents, to solve it. Evidently, a group of people is

a great deal for our jobs. Finding a place with outdoor space

falling between the cracks and need help. Apart from that,

in the city centre is always a massive ask, but eventually a

the area could benefit from still more vegetation and space

neighbour tipped us about this apartment. Now, we’ve been

for cyclists and pedestrians.”

living here happily for fifteen years.”

PHOTOGRAPHY Bastiaan de Haas

YOU ARE VERY ACTIVE IN THE CITY YOURSELF. CAN WHAT MAKES THE CENTRAL DISTRICT A NICE PLACE

YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT?

TO LIVE?

“For starters, I always connect with people to share my

“Everything is close by. The station, the centre and all the

thoughts in bodies like the district council. I’m also a member

shops are right nearby. Going out in the evening is easy as

of the urban art plan advisory committee, which is assessing

everything is in walking distance. My partner and I both like

the city’s four-year plan. I think it’s really important to think

being able to walk or take the bike to wherever we need to

actively about the city and to do my bit to contribute. Partic-

go. The difference between our place now and where we were

ularly in the arts and culture sector, which is where my own

living over Central Plaza is that we’re not bothered by the

passion and expertise lie.”

noise and rowdiness of the nightlife. And being around the corner from Kruiskade is brilliant. From here it’s also easy to get to the green areas along the canals or make a loop around the Luchtbrug. I often take foreign friends there.”

LOOKING BACK OVER ALL THE TIME YOU’VE LIVED HERE, WHAT STANDS OUT? “One very positive and wonderful thing is how the Central

TEXT Céline Boute

District has gone from an area you’d avoid to a place you want to go. It’s had a big facelift and there is a lot more greenery. Kruiskade finally has the image it was always meant to, with every flavour. You feel the diversity and exuberance of the cultures that come together in this area.”

MIRJAM HENSGENS Hobbies: drawing, working out

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and going out with friends. Favourite spot at home: the sofa in our living room, or my

own workspace. Favourite spot in RCD: Kruiskade, where you can eat your way around the globe. I also love Theater Rotterdam. Favourite object at home: my tea museum in the kitchen.

M A G A Z I N E

Where game changers meet change makers 38

Find out more!

R C D

RCD ACTIVE WITH TWO COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS Since 2009, the Rotterdam Central

M A G A Z I N E

District Association has been active with the goal of developing the area as effectively as possible through collaboration between public and private entities. In addition to area development, efforts are being made to build a community involving all stakeholders in the area and to promote the profile of the RCD area both

MORE INFORMATION: rotterdam-centraldistrict.nl

PHOTOGRAPHY Guido Pijper

domestically and internationally.

RCD MAGAZINE PARTNER

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT VOLUME Q3 2023 DOWN COMPARED TO Q3 2022

INVESTORS MORE FLEXIBLE AND LOOKING TO SMALLER TICKET SIZES Savills’ latest report reveals the Dutch real estate investment market has experienced a significant decline in transaction activity in 2023, but there are some signals for optimism.

“Market in Minutes - The Netherlands - Autumn 2023: Inves-

The report examines how weaker occupier foundations

tor Sentiment and the Search for Stability”, reports that

have contributed to a decline in investment volumes, es-

although investment volumes in Q3 2023 were up by 9.9%

pecially in the retail sector. Bankruptcies have been on the

compared to Q2 2023, there was a 54.1% drop compared to

rise in the Dutch economy, particularly in the retail sector.

the same quarter in 2022. Moreover, capital values have

However, the industrial and logistics sector has maintained

fallen by an average of 13.3% since Q2 2022. The office and

its stability and attractiveness to investors.

residential markets have been particularly affected, while prime gross initial yields (GIYs) have increased across most

“The impact of occupier fundamentals cannot be underes-

sectors. The increase in investors’ cost of capital and a

timated. The industrial and logistics sector’s strong perfor-

weaker occupier market have had a substantial impact on

mance stands in stark contrast to the challenges faced by

transaction activity.

other occupier sectors, making it a beacon of opportunity

“The challenges facing the Dutch real estate market are un-

& Industrial, observes.

deniable. The gap between buyers’ and sellers’ price expectations remains significant. The landscape for real estate investors is tough because of the unprecedented speed in the

INVESTOR SENTIMENT

increase of (re)financing costs. This is especially evident in

The report delves into the extreme negativity in inves-

the declining capital values of office and residential proper-

tor sentiment since Q2 2022, reaching its lowest point in

ties. Investors have been re-evaluating their strategies and

March 2023. However, it also identifies a recovery with

are focusing more on smaller deal sizes” says Clive Pritchard,

investors showing renewed interest in the Dutch real es-

Head of Country at Savills in the Netherlands.

tate market. Savills Europe and the Middle East Investor Sentiment Survey further supports this positive shift in investor sentiment. © Claire Droppert

SOURCE Savills Market in Minutes report authored by Market Intelligence Analyst Wouter van ‘t Grunewold

in the current market,” Niek Poppelaars, Co-Head Logistics

“Investor sentiment, though severely affected by recent economic uncertainties, is showing signs of recovery. Investors are increasingly open to adopting a more aggressive investment strategy, reflecting a newfound optimism in the market. Investors view the Netherlands as the 5th most favourable EME country to invest in, behind the UK, Germany, France, and Spain. This confirms the position of the Netherlands as one of the most important real estate markets in Europe and the Middle East.” explains Mike Barnes in the European Research team.

Savills anticipates a slow but steady recovery in Dutch real estate investment activity in the coming 12 months, dependent upon macroeconomic stability. The report underlines

OUTLOOK

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the importance of stability in worldwide capital markets for the recovery in commercial real estate.

“Stability is the key to recovery in the Dutch real estate market. As macroeconomic conditions stabilise, investor

M A G A Z I N E

activity is expected to regain momentum. The recent challenges have reshaped the market, emphasising the need for resilience and adaptability,” concludes Clive Pritchard, Head of Country at Savills in the Netherlands. The quarterly “Market in Minutes – The Netherlands - Autumn 2023” report provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the Dutch real estate investment market and offers valuable insights for investors, stakeholders, and industry professionals.

Wouter van ‘t Grunewold

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CULTURE

MALEK ABU AYYASH: OUR OWN ROTTERDAM SALSA KING

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43 Malek Abu Ayyash first encountered salsa when he was 17 years

Malek had never planned on becoming a dance instructor,

old and out with a friend who played in a salsa band. Just a year

the opportunity was too good to pass up. Flash forward,

earlier, Malek’s mum had passed away after a lengthy illness

and Malek has been based in RCD for quite a while. When he

24-08

and he was looking for ways to reconnect with other people.

opened the doors of his dance school, there were hardly any

Salsa dancing was still in its infancy in the Netherlands back

other small businesses around. “I was the first cultural entre-

then: merengue steps to salsa music that amounted to little

preneur in the area and inspired the city to develop a cultural

more than ‘cuddling’. While many people think salsa is a very old

corner here. Now, you can find plenty of other cultural busi-

tradition, in fact the dance is quite new, and only arrived in the

nesses in the district.”

Netherlands in the late nineties and early noughties.

THE MAMBO KING

Salsa is a popular dance style at the moment, says Malek, who

In 1998, Malek went to a salsa convention in Haarlem. “I got

sees his pupils are avidly absorbing the material. Their motiva-

to see Angel Ortes and Dublessy Walker there dancing Cross

tions vary, of course. Many take the classes as a way to unwind,

Body Lead together. That style immediately fascinated me.

but Malek also has pupils who aspire to go professional after a

The graceful arm movements and steps all executed within

few years’ study. “There are also folks who already have a good

a confined rectangle. After talking with Angel and Dublessy,

grounding and come here to learn other dance styles.”

the name ‘Eddie Torres’ stuck with me.” Fired by passion and curiosity, young Malek said farewell to his life in the Nether-

MOVEMENT CLASSES

lands and struck out for New York to study salsa dancing with

Salsa also has sister styles such as the cha-cha-cha and

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Eddie Torres, ‘the Mambo King’. 10

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FROM BEGINNER TO PRO

M A G A Z I N E

pachanga, in which footwork is equally important. “Salsa isn’t just about leading and following. Our special movement classes are based on individual training drills to develop yourself into a ‘complete’ dancer. It improves your individual

A few months later, Malek returned to Rotterdam and start-

dancing skills, so you can dance and connect better with your

ed organizing salsa classes at different locations in Rotter-

partner. Another dance style you have is bachata, which I also

dam. Then, in 2009, an opportunity opened up to start his

teach. My life revolves around dancing, and I hope to keep do-

own dance school in the Rotterdam Central District. Though

ing this for a long time to come.”

TEXT Sophia Etmans

-2021

13:26

ARCHITECTURE

FIRST FIRST Rotterdam is a 128-metre office complex towering high above Holland’s port city. In 2016 it was the eighth-tallest building in the city. Located on Weena, across from the Groot Handelsgebouw, the complex rises 31 storeys above ground and has another two levels below. Excluding the underground car park, the gross floor area comes to 47,000m². The property was developed by FIRST Rotterdam CV, a consortium made up of Maarsen Groep and MAB Development, and was designed by the Amsterdam-based firm of De Architekten Cie. The architectural style is modern and international with classical lines.

PLAN FIRST is composed of three layers. FIRST XL constitutes the base, from which the FIRST TOWER rises in two sections of differing heights. The rhythm of the façade subtly expresses the complex’s multiple functions and users, while the building as a whole

chimes harmoniously with its surroundings. FIRST XL is the new headquarters of Robeco, and its height and volume reflect the Groot Handelsgebouw across the street. The building’s lower floors open out to the city with a mix of public amenities, inviting porticos, cafés, restaurants and cultural facilities.

SUSTAINABILITY FIRST was developed with future users in mind and guided by a long-term vision and philosophy centring on sustainable area development, quality and flexibility. All aspects of the design reflect the latest sustainability practices. FIRST’s thermal energy storage system for example cools and heats the building with minimal energy consumption. These combined investments in sustainability resulted in FIRST being awarded a rating of ‘Excellent’ by BREEAM, one of the most comprehensive rating sys-

TEXT Romy Lange

PHOTOGRAPHY Ernst van Raaphorst

tems for sustainable construction.

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FACTS & FIGURES PROGRAMME Offices, commercial space, underground car park FLOOR AREA 47,000m² (excl. 7,000m² car park) ARCHITECT Branimir Medic, de Architekten Cie. www.cie.nl NOMINATIONS/AWARDS Rotterdam Architectuurprijs 2016 SUSTAINABILITY RATING BREEAM Excellent

M A G A Z I N E

“ THEY JUST GET SH*T DONE THE RIGHT WAY” 46

- OUR CLIENTS -

We aren’t going to argue with our clients. For over 15 years we’ve been helping them out with everything related to design or communication. Websites, logos, business cards or complete branding cases. No matter what you throw at us, we will make sure it gets done the right way. On time. Within budget. We promise.

SOCIAL IMPACT

DUO FOR A JOB: CONNECTING DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND GENERATIONS by bringing together generations and cultures, and expose and debunk biases in the process.

LESS EMPLOYMENT INEQUALITY After making a match, the DUO for a JOB

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team plays a mainly supporting role. Marije: “We offer training for mentors, consisting of eight modules on things

With its diverse population, high youth

structural disadvantage on the labour

like communication skills and the land-

unemployment and hence appeal for

market”, Marije explains. “Meanwhile,

scape of Rotterdam and its institutions.

funders looking to invest in solutions,

people over 50 have a wealth of work

Each ‘duo’ then decide for themselves

Rotterdam was the perfect base to

and life experience, the value of which is

how to shape the mentorship, wheth-

launch DUO for a JOB in the Netherlands.

downgraded by society when they reach

er formally or informally, and can turn

The mission for their intergenerational

retirement age. That’s a missed oppor-

to us with any questions.” One such

and intercultural mentoring is three-

tunity, because their knowledge could

pair are Juhayna and Noor, whose men-

fold. “Young people with immigrant or

be passed on.” Last but not least, they

torship grew into a special friendship.

non-Western backgrounds are at visible

want to break through societal bubbles

Juhayna: “Noor has taught me to be

M A G A Z I N E

more patient and to have more courage to talk about my dreams. Take it easy, she said, it will work out. And it did!” The two found a good social work study for Juhayna, which she started this autumn. Noor: “Juhayna isn’t afraid to follow her dream, despite the obstacles. Thanks to our journey together, I have learnt that there is always more than one path.” Ultimately, says Marije, the goal is to reduce inequality among jobseekers. “Next year, we hope to make at least 120 matches. After all, everyone deserves the chance to have a mentor or someone to bounce ideas around with.”

TEXT Céline Boute

For the past two years, LaatBloeien has offered a great base of operations for the DUO for a JOB foundation to pursue its outreach activities. The organization matches young people with an immigrant background to seasoned professionals of 50 years and older. In mentorship duo’s they start their route to find the right employment or course of study. Established in Belgium, the first Dutch location opened in Rotterdam under the direction of Marije Pronk. “At DUO for a JOB I can pursue my dream of building something of real and lasting value as a social entrepreneur. The aims align closely with what I was after: to connect diverse backgrounds and generations.”

MEMOBOARD

53RD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAM The International Film Festival Rotterdam is celebrating its 53rd edition in 2024 with the latest feature flicks, fun and offbeat shorts and intriguing documentaries from all over the world, plus fascinating talks with established filmmakers. Meet talented makers and hear stories from 010 in the RTM

programme, take the kids along to the Family Shorts or catch noteworthy films from the Tiger Competition. The IFFR is yours to discover at locations through-

out Rotterdam from 25 January through 4 February 2024, with tickets on sale from 12 January. For more info, visit the festival website: www.iffr.com. © Jan de Groen

COREKEES BUILDS INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO WITH BEEHIVES Groot Handelsgebouw-based sustainability investment platform Corekees recently sold hundreds of beehives for distribution among farming communities in Kenya. The microcredit scheme offers investors a projected 3.2 per cent interest over seven years. Participating farmers will pay off the loans from Corekees investors using proceeds of their honey yield. CEO and co-founder Nick van Heesewijk: “Project Beehive is an excellent addition to Corekees’ investment project portfolio. On top of the modest interest, it offers a massive payoff in biodiversity impact and beneTEXT Céline Boute

fits for participating farmers, improving habit and standards of living for both bees and farmers in a way that’s environmentally sustainable as well as economically attractive.”

DAKAKKER NOMINATED FOR SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS The ‘Awards voor Duurzaamheid’ (Sustainability Award) winners are being announced in January 2024 and DakAkker has garnered several nominations in category E (Renovation), including for the roof-farming team and their fabulous rooftop bees. Occupying a spectacular 1,000 m2 site atop the Schieblock in the Rotterdam Central District, DakAkker is not only a farm yielding vegetable and edible flower crops but also a home for bees. What is more, it’s the largest open-air rooftop farm in all of the Netherlands, and among the biggest in Europe. The Big Improvement Day Impact Award will be presented on Tuesday 16 January in The Hague, followed by other award categories on Monday 22 January in Zeist. The programme will also include a keynote by the Plastic Soup Foundation and music on circular instruments.

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TEAM RCD PUBLISHERS WISHES YOU A WONDERFUL 2024! If you want to get in touch about publishing in RCD Magazine and would like to share your story with us and the city, drop us a line at info@rcdpublishers.nl

M A G A Z I N E

JOIN THE ROTTERDAM CENTRAL DISTRICT COMMUNITY In order to realize our ambitions and to optimally develop the potential of the district, we have been bundling all the knowledge and interest groups in the area into an association since 2009: Rotterdam Central District. Not only are we aware of and familiar with all of the developments in the area, we are also joining forces in the neighborhood to create a good reputation for the district. We are a catalyst for positive change. We discover, connect and take action to make this happen. In collaboration with organizations, both small and large, investors, residents and the municipality, we are building a more social, green and sustainable area with an authentic and robust reputation. Our association stands up for the interests of your organization. Together we develop the area, we put it on the map. Join our community.

The association keeps you informed of developments of and stories from the neighborhood. We also host various events for the community, from lunch concerts to neighborhood drinks and substantive sessions. In this way, we stimulate connections and possible collaborations, good for expanding or maintaining your network. We join forces to work on area development and a

good reputation of the district. To achieve this we have: • RCD Talks: knowledge sessions about and from the district •

RCD Events: network drinks, events and lunch concerts

• RCD Q&A: source of information and a brainstorming day for the neighborhood •

General meeting: meeting regarding the realization of the area plans

•

News & updates: various substantive articles, interviews and news updates

• Magazine: 10,000 circulation, 4 times a year. RCD members advertise with a discount • RCD Podcast: conversations with entrepreneurs from the area •

Various active social media channels: Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, Facebook

•

Monthly online newsletter featuring the latest news from RCD

QUESTIONS OR REMARKS? Please contact Wendy Krohn (06 47 94 79 49) Or mail to: wendy@rotterdam-centraldistrict.nl Association Rotterdam Central District Weena 690 (14e verdieping) 3012 CN Rotterdam For more information about RCD, please visit: www.rotterdam-centraldistrict.nl

MEMBERS

COLOPHON Association Rotterdam Central District Weena 690 (14th floor) 3012 CN Rotterdam info@rotterdam-centraldistrict.nl www.rotterdam-centraldistrict.nl Magazine RCD is issued by: RCD Publishers Groot Handelsgebouw, 7th floor Stationsplein 45 3013 AK Rotterdam +31 (0) 20 362 09 93 info@rcdpublishers.nl www.rcd publishers.nl Our goal: With an excellent business climate, world-renowned educational institutions within reach, and leading companies in many sectors from many countries, RCD has huge potential. Association Rotterdam Central District contributes to the RCD by realizing a well functioning area. The goal is to promote a district that has international appeal, and high quality working and living conditions. Circulation: Free for the RCD district. The magazine is distributed by promo teams, loose circulation and HRM departments of companies within RCD to guarantee reaching the (sub) target groups of RCD. Frequency: Four times a year Editor-in-chief: Romy Lange Managing Editor: Céline Boute Editor: Sophia Etmans Photography: Marjolijn Tenge, Bastiaan de Haas & Studio Bellamie Fotografie Advertising: Please send an e-mail to info@rcdpublishers.nl for questions about advertising. Art Direction and Graphic Design: vanStijl Translation: Taalcentrum-VU Printed by: magazine-masters.nl Do you have a message for the editorial team or would you like to place an ad? Send us an e-mail at info@rcdpublishers.nl. Thanks to: Roos Zondervan, Arno Kelders, Marius Meurs, Re:Invent, Groot Handelsgebouw, Jamestown, Rotterdam Central District, Maarsen Groep, Savills, Tuesday, Gemeente Rotterdam, World Trade Center Rotterdam, Miranda van Spengen, Kees van Oorschot, Hans de Jonge, Wendy Krohn, Leontine Oerlemans, Lysanne Wilkens, a.s.r. real estate, Eduard Voorn, doppio bike, Dirk Deichmann, Rotterdam School of Management, D&B The Facility Group, Melissa Kooke, Wouter van ’t Grunewold, Mirjam Hensgens, Krozant, Malek Abu Ayyash, LaatBloeien, Marije Pronk & De Architekten Cie

Copyright © 2023 RCD 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.

MEMBERS VERENIGING ROTTERDAM CENTRAL DISTRICT 3MP online video AKRD Alticom B.V. Amber Arconiko Architecten ASR Atelier van Berlo Bar Rotterdam bv Big Room B.V./Reverse/Mykech Broodje Q Carthago Consultancy CBRE CBRE global investors CIC Rotterdam Ciphix BV Codarts Colliers Conix RDBM Cromwell Property Group Cushman & Wakefield DakAkker rooftopfarm foundation De Mik Bedrijfshuisvesting District East DVDW advocaten Echo Eneco Eurekon Gemeente Rotterdam Greenberg Nielsen Greenchoice Groot Handelsgebouw High Potential Academy Holmris B8 Humanoids BV JLL LaatBloeien Lebkov & Sons Loer Architecten LS&H Lawyers

LSI Ontwikkeling BV Lucie Group B.V. Maarsen Groep Mess NS Ooms Makelaars Bedrijfshuisvesting B.V. Pike Delivery Pluq Studio PPF Premier Suites Plus Rotterdam Provast Rabobank Rotterdam Roodkapje Rotterdam Festivals Rotterdam Marriott Hotel Rotterdam Partners Salsability SaM& doethetgewoon. Sanderdebreukconsultancy bv Scapino Ballet Rotterdam Spaces Hofplein Steel Rides Stichting De Nieuwe Poort Stichting Theater Rotterdam Studentflex Time is the new space Unilever NV Urban Minds B.V. Van der Stap notarissen vanStijl Vereniging Rotterdam Central District Vereniging Verenigd Schouwburgplein VPS Workspot Wrap Maniacs WTC Rotterdam Yogaground ZUS

BIZ PARTICIPANTS Achmea Pensioen

Magnum Property Limited

ADG Beheer B.V.

Mara B.V. Beleggings en Exploitatie

Boutique hotel

Millennium Tower (Rotterdam) B.V.

ASR Levensverzekering N.V.

Neo (Weena 200) B.V.

Looije Properties

NS Stations Retailbedrijf B.V.

CBRE DOF Custodian B.V.

NS Vastgoed B.V.

Central Post B.V.

Pompenburg (Rotterdam) B.V.

CENTRAL010 B.V.

ProRail B.V.

Doric Investment GmbH

Railinfratrust B.V.

FIRST Rotterdam Gebouw A B.V.

Stadsontwikkeling - Vastgoed

GHG B.V.

UNION INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE

Hofplein Offices (Rotterdam) B.V.

Wisdom (Weena Tower) B.V.

Hofplein Ontwikkel B.V.

Yova Central Plaza B.V.

J.P. van Eesteren B.V.

If your company isn’t on this list, please contact info@rotterdam-centraldistrict.nl

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M A G A Z I N E

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