A flagship project in this area

Maarsen Groep is a family offi ce that develops, transforms and renovates (existing) real estate, thereby contributing to city sustainability. The company, which has been in business for more than 70 years, is now run by third-generation family member Monique Maarsen. She heads a dedicated team of approximately 20 employees, who are experts in Property Development, Asset Management and Finance & Control. All undertakings are pursued via Maarsen Groep’s core values of Entrepreneurship, Independence and Transparency.

A flagship project currently nearing fruition in the Weenapoint redevelopment is The Modernist. Monique goes into detail about this new RCD landmark.

“The Modernist is the latest building in a series of developments we are completing in the Weena area. In 2007, we bought the entire Weenapoint development, a parking garage and four office buildings, in order to realize a phased redevelopment.

“We have renovated the parking garage and made it more sustainable. We’ve also brought sustainability to the monumental building known as being the former Bouwcentrum, which is now used as Greenchoice’s head office. Building D has been demolished and a new building developed in its place for FIRST Rotterdam. Building A (Premier Suites & Offices) still has the same architectural appearance, but literally everything inside has been refurbished, including all the technical installations.

“The Modernist is the final phase of the redevelopment of WeenaPoint and it feels as though we’ve saved the best for last. To us, this is the icing on the cake, not just for the Weena area but, actually, for the entire Rotterdam Central District (RCD). That feeling comes from the combination of functionality and style. Weenapoint used to just be a collection of offices. Now, these are complemented with high-quality retail spaces a hotel and residences. And the latter is really something of note. Since the area’s redevelopment, this is now a place people really want to live, in the heart of the city, just across from the station. That certainly wasn’t the case a few years ago. With its combination of spaces to work, live and relax, The Modernist brings a new dynamic to the RCD.

“The Modernist will be a characterful building that fits in with the Rotterdam architecture, and in which the various users can express their individual identities. The office frame is a distinctive and glistening building with its own identity and appearance. The same goes for the residential towers, whose inhabitants will soon feel at home in their own, characterful building that feels a world away from being part of an office building and with great views over the city. Everyone who uses The Modernist will have a strong sense of knowing and feeling that the building is designed around their needs.”

“OUR AIM IS TO HELP CITIES BECOME MORE BEAUTIFUL AND LIVABLE PLACES, THROUGH DEVELOPING THE BEST OFFICES AND RESIDENCES.”, EXPLAINS MONIQUE MAARSEN. Alongside some notable projects in Amsterdam, Maarsen Groep has been playing an active role in transforming Rotterdam. “In Amsterdam, we recently delivered a property called Hourglass, which houses the new Loyens & Loeff Amsterdam offi ce and Premier Suites’ second hotel in the Netherlands. In Rotterdam, we were responsible for the renovation and transformation of the Westerlaantoren (VOPAK head offi ce). For the past decade, the majority of our Rotterdam activity has taken place in the Weenapoint redevelopment, opposite Rotterdam Central station.”