Savills

“THIS CITY EMBRACES NEW

VENTURES”

Besides an exceptionally diverse population, Rotterdam is also distinguished by the rich mix of buildings in the city’s centre. Savills, a major player in the global real estate sector, is involved in many of the city’s investment transactions and keeps a close eye on developments.

Office real estate trends in Rotterdam differ from those in other major Dutch cities. Jordy Diepeveen, head of Acquisitions at Savills, says that in recent years 45% of the market has moved into the city centre. ‘That shift and interest in city centre real estate exceeds what you see in cities like Amsterdam or Utrecht. Rotterdam’s CBD was the first mixed-use development and that is a massive edge. Here we’ve got not only ultra-modern towers like FIRST, but also fifties-era buildings like the Groothandelsgebouw. And that these buildings are all just a stone’s throw apart is a real attraction for area users.’

Jordy Kleemans, Head of Research & Consultancy, Douglas van Oers, Director and co-head of Logistics & Industrial and Jordy Diepeveen, Head of Acquisitions at Savills

INTERNATIONAL APPEAL

el lets employees choose between working at their head Alongside the hardworking mentality that so defines this office at a central location or at a more regional spoke locacity, Rotterdam Central District is now also embracing in- tion. This could result in more people working from home, novative sectors like tech and gaming. According to Jordy but also in the use of flexible workspaces closer to home. Kleemans, head of Research & Consultancy at Savills, this Going forward, we expect a growing number of employers is an important factor for international firms. ‘Also unique to factor this into their workplace strategies, whilst being to this location is the wide range in office and residential careful to preserve the appeal of the hub as a space in which rents. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it here. to collaborate, socialize and promote the business culture. Rotterdam’s well-known port makes it a comfortable first Now that we’ve experienced that we can work anywhere we choice for companies and investors. want, offices will be a place to meet up And on top of that, the 2016 Lonely and work together.’ Planet listed it as one of the world’s top 10 must-see cities. Rotterdam of- “Rotterdam’s ‘CUT THE CRAP AND GET fers a foundation for startups, tech CBD was the TO WORK’ companies and innovators. We’re a city first mixed-use Rotterdam is celebrated for its diverthat embraces new ventures.’ development sity. And as a place where everything and that is a works harmoniously together. Douglas FLEXIBLE WORKING massive edge” van Oers, head of Logistics & Industrial CONCEPTS at Savills, thinks the city’s authenticiThe first conversions to multifunction- ty is making way for more innovation. al buildings date back to 2012. Around ‘There’s a raw “cut the crap and get to 7% have been redeveloped as homes or hotels. Says Klee- work” mentality rooted in the port. Shoulder to the wheel mans, ‘Owing to that mix, vacancy levels have gone down and keep pushing ahead, that’s what Rotterdam lives by. from 15% to 11% since 2016. Creating flexible workspaces Nevertheless, logistics needs to continue innovating. Muslike Tribes became one of the principal areas of investment.’ cle-power needs to be balanced by brainpower. What’s During the height of the coronavirus crisis, it became clear emerging in the city centre has direct ramifications on the that working remotely was a solid option and, as a result, port.’ The future link from Westland to the Europoort will new concepts are being developed for the organization of improve access to the port. This is a way to invest in a sector these workspaces. The hub-and-spoke model is one example that needs transformation, and so to reach the right peoof such a concept. The term comes from the aviation sector, ple. As Van Oers puts it, ‘By upgrading the port, the synergy explains Diepeveen, where smaller aircraft service smaller between function and knowledge-sharing will become visi‘spoke’ destinations from one major central ‘hub’. ‘The mod- ble here as well.’

HANS DE BOER

1955 - 2021

When this issue of RCD Magazine went to print, we received the shocking news of the sudden death of Hans de Boer, our first chairman. The Rotterdam Central District Association was founded in 2009 as a cooperation between public and private partners and Hans was co-founder and chairman from 2009 till the end of 2013. Parties signed an agreement to cooperate in the development of this area in 2007 and agreed to organise themselves in RCD. Hans was a very special and energetic man with a good sense of humour. Bringing together parties with conflicting interests was his trademark. He confronted, provoked and showed parties their common interest and did this in a straightforward and open way, using humour whenever tensions became too big. His extensive experience in many different functions was a great help in finding solutions for a number of complex problems. As an economist he worked in many functions for the public sector, was an entrepreneur, consultant and even candidate mayor for the City of Rotterdam in 2008. From 2014-2020 he was chairman of VNO-NCW (Dutch Association of Entrepreneurs), a major force in national politics before he retired. In his case ‘retirement’ meant just shifting gear and making plans for future work. Unfortunately his life ended way too soon. We cherish his legacy and his contribution to RCD.