RCD Magazine - editie 4

RCD

#4

ROTTERDAM-CENTRALDISTRICT.NL NOVEMBER 2021

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“THIS MOVE HELPS TO ATTRACT YOUNG TALENT” Hanneke Spruyt & Harm-Jan Mens from Procter & Gamble

CLIMATE TEAM: “Trees make an impact”

ROTTERDAMRIJKER: “Add meaning to your life”

SAVILLS: “A wakeup call for everyone”

M A G A Z I N E

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Jullie kantoor naar Rotterdam Centraal?

L E AS I N G @G H G . N L

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M A G A Z I N E

“ THEY JUST GET SH*T DONE THE RIGHT WAY” 4

- 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.

PREFACE

e xt i s su The ne d e l du i s sc h e 7th of e h for t ry Februa

A BUZZING PLACE TO DO BUSINESS! Ever more companies, restaurants and other amenities are choosing to do business in Rotterdam Central District. And little wonder, because this district is buzzing with energy.

Almost two years ago, Procter & Gamble relocated to an office in Delftse Poort. Are they happy with that decision? Absolutely! RCD is an exceptionally attractive spot for the company’s visitors and employees alike, and they told us this step is even helping them recruit new talent.

In this issue, we once more bring you loads of great stories about entrepreneurs and developments in RCD, and hear from visitors to the district. Do you have a good idea for us, or something you’d like to share? We’d love to talk to you!

As this year draws to a close, we’re eagerly looking forward to 2022 – and another four issues of RCD Magazine. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all our partners, the Association, all the advertisers and everyone who has been involved in creating this magazine.

Best wishes for the holidays, happy reading, and see you next year!

THANKS TO

Romy Lange

Rob Ittmann

RCD Publishers

Rotterdam Central District Association

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M A G A Z I N E

Van der Stap Notarissen 6

specialists in real estate and corporate law

Rotterdam Millenniumtoren 14e verdieping Weena 690 3012 CN Rotterdam

Photography: Erik Brons

Arnhem Jansbuitensingel 29 6811 AD Arnhem

Contact 088 188 00 00 algemeen@vdstap.com www.vdstap.com

INDEX

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48

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CLIMATE TEAM: “Trees make an impact”

ROTTERDAMRIJKER: “Add meaning to your life”

SAVILLS: “A wakeup call for everyone”

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7

cove rst or y

“THIS MOVE HELPS TO ATTRACT YOUNG TALENT” Hanneke Spruyt & Harm-Jan Mens from Procter & Gamble

9 What’s on?

36 Savills

Check the RCD Agenda

“A wakeup call for everyone”

10 Hanneke Spruyt & Harm-Jan Mens from Procter & Gamble

38 New Members

39 Interview

“This move helps to attract young talent”

15 RCD Up2Date

16 RCD People

40 WTC Rotterdam

Are taking the stage

20 Coffee Break

42 Memoboard

With Lieke Poppe, Community Manager

“Trees make an impact” “It’s inspiring to be able to reposition this building”

44 Architecture

23 RCD Hotspots

Bouwcentrum

25 #RCD Online

46 Interview

29 Column by Eduard Voorn

Tree crusaders in the Hofplein Fountain

48 Interview

32 Home tours in Rotterdam Central District

RotterdamRijker: “add meaning to your life”

34 Success Story with Nienke van der Neut

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Join the Rotterdam Central District Community

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RCD Members & Colophon

“My role in the restaurant is to make people feel at home”

OX: New kid on the (Schie)block

M A G A Z I N E

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D U U R Z A M E O P L O S S I N G E N VO O R E E N B E T E R K L I M A AT Drijvende zonneparken, die een bijzondere dubbelfunctie vervullen, zijn voor ons een logische stap naar een verantwoorde, duurzame toekomst. Enorm innovatief, mét oog voor natuur, mens en maatschappij. In allerlei opzichten kansen voor GroenLeven, marktleider in grootschalige zonne-energie in Nederland. Gelukkig houden ze bij Ploum ook van kansen en lopen zij, net als wij, graag voorop. Kerabi Aslan – GroenLeven

AGENDA

WHAT’S ON?

© Sophia van den Hoek

LUNCHTIME CONCERTS

COOK OFF: MAKING SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING

The 2021-2022 season brings

Celebrating 10 years of BIRD. The exact menu is still under wraps, but guests will

more lunchtime concerts for

be in sublime hands with Chef DJ and Chef Martin. As an added treat, all-star

all to enjoy. Admission is free

DJ Wooldrik caps the night with his live band The Wooldrik and Wooldrik blues

(no reserved seating). Concerts

explosion, featuring master musicians who’ve earned their spurs in Rotterdam.

12 January @ De Doelen

18 December @ BIRD

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start at 12.30 pm in the great hall (Grote Zaal), with Han-na

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Chang conducting on 12 January.

No advance registration needed.

R.I.O.T.

13 – 16 January @ Theater Rotterdam

TOP 2000 QUIZ

19 December @ Annabel

Alida Dors’s production R.I.O.T. gives visceral expression

December is the festive month, filled with Christmas, food and Radio 2’s list

to the unrest in our world.

of lists – the Top 2000. Enter your team of 2-5 people and get ready for an

Interweaving dance, film, spoken

afternoon packed with entertainment, music, song clips and good times!

word and live music, she unravels the mechanisms of a riot.

ROTTERDAM NIGHT WALK 27 December

Experience Rotterdam in all its wintry splendour during the Rotterdam Night Walk. This unique walking tour takes you past the city’s highlights and is sure to delight, with spectacular light installations along the way.

M A G A Z I N E

TEXT Romy Lange

PHOTOGRAPHY Ruben Stam

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COVER STORY

“ This

move helps to attract young talent

”

Ariel, Dreft, Gillette, Pampers, Always, Oral-B, Head & Shoulders: these top brands are all fixtures on our supermarket and drug store shelves. Based in the US, their parent company Procter & Gamble (P&G) has been around more than 180 years and markets a wide range of household products. From its beginnings selling soap and candles, today P&G has grown to become a vast global corporation. Just under two years ago, P&G’s Dutch office relocated to Delftse Poort, and its employees couldn’t be happier about it. We caught up with Harm-Jan Mens, commercial director for P&G Netherlands, and Hanneke Spruyt Panbakker, vice president of sales and Benelux country leader at P&G.

LAST YEAR, PROCTER & GAMBLE NETHERLANDS MOVED TO DELFTSE POORT, IN THE MIDDLE OF RCD. GOOD DECISION, SO FAR? Hanneke: “For years we were on Heer Bokelweg in Rotterdam, and then in the Alexandrium. The building was fine, but the neighbourhood lacked activity. When it came time to renew the contract or relocate after all, we started looking around in the centre. We employ a lot of young people, and we wanted to take their priorities into account. We looked at a massive number of buildings, and finally chose Delftse Poort. It has been such a positive change! We’re right in the heart of the city and the energy is great. The building was modernized just as we wanted. Everything feels completely different now.”

Harm-Jan: “This office is part of P&G’s France-Belgium-Netherlands cluster, so it’s a great location, logistically. You have fast connections everywhere by Thalys and transport links to Amsterdam are ideal. Commuting to this office is much more efficient, which means the move was also a sustainable choice. This location helps to attract young talent and people are eager to work here, and we’re always in search of talent for all our disciplines.”

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M A G A Z I N E

BOTH OF YOU HAVE WORKED FOR P&G ABROAD, AND YOUR CURRENT JOBS ARE ALSO VERY INTERNATIONALLY ORIENTED. WHAT HAS THAT BEEN LIKE? Hanneke: “I started at P&G in 2001 and in 2004 I fell in love with a man who lived in Moscow at the time. After an extended trip around Moscow, I asked myself: do I see myself living here? Moscow is completely different to what we’re used to in the Netherlands, and to go to that part of the world wasn’t something that had ever occurred to me before. But then I thought, this has come onto my path for a reason and it’s a unique chance to not only live but work here for a while. I decided to move to Russia and set up P&G’s outside sales force there. I was working alongside Russian hypermarket directors, for example. That period

ABOUT HANNEKE:

was very valuable both personally and professionally, and for that I’m incredibly grateful.”

Harm-Jan: “Not long after graduating, I got to go to the P&G head

- At P&G since 2001

office in Switzerland on a business course. I loved it so much that

- Has lived in Rotterdam

I wanted to stay. The diversity of countries you could work in and the people really appealed to me. When working for P&G I lived in

like a native

Brussels for 3 years and in Geneva for 7 years. I did a lot of trav-

- Mother of 3

elling for P&G from Nigeria and Pakistan to Russia and Dubai.

- Enjoys going to see

Working in such a diverse team and with different cultures is very inspiring. When returning to the Netherlands we chose Rotterdam to settle, and we really like it here. For our children growing up in the Netherlands and having everything in such close proximity feels normal, but it really is a luxury.”

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from age 6 and feels

Feyenoord on Sundays

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13 HOW DO YOU AND EVERYONE AT P&G USE THIS LOCATION? Harm-Jan: “RCD has all amenities and that’s great not

ABOUT HARM-JAN:

only for our employees, but for our guests and clients as well. They can take the train in, stay at the Marriott Rotterdam and we have loads of nice places to eat nearby. Everything is integrated and that’s brilliant. The relocation was a good energy booster for us and everyone is really

- At P&G since 2004

pleased about it. The location is perfect to combine work

- Has a background in

and fun which is fully in line with our P&G culture.”

finance - Father of 3

SUSTAINABILITY IS A BIG TOPIC WITHIN P&G.

- Enjoys cycling to work

COULD YOU SAY MORE ABOUT THIS? Hanneke: “It’s true that we have set very high sustainability targets. By 2040 we want to achieve Net-Zero emissions across our operations and supply-chain. We are also working hard to make our packaging 100% recycleable or reusable by 2030. Our Gillette refillable razors are no longer sold in plastic packaging, but cardboard, for example, which makes a big difference.”

Harm-Jan: “Our Ariel laundry detergent works at colder temperatures, which enables consumers to save energy by washing colder. We’re also making sustainable choices in-house and encourage employees to take electric or public transport or cycle to work. These are just some of the many actions P&G is pursuing.”

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UPDATES

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.

HOFPLEIN URBAN PROJECT Rotterdam is investing 233 million euros in seven urban projects. These projects aim to create green and attractive public gathering, recreation and activity spaces in Rotterdam.

They also respond to other major challenges the city is facing around the mobility transition, urgent need for housing and other issues.

In the process, they’ll also generate employ© Guido Pijper

ment opportunities, draw businesses and cre-

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ate festival spaces.

One of these urban projects is the Hofplein

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project. Earlier this year, the municipal council issued a public call for ideas on how to redesign the city’s most prominent square. Many inhab© Artist’s impression: RED Company

NEW ROTTERDAM LANDMARK TO RISE

itants said they want a square that’s greener; a space to visit and cool down when temperatures rise. They also want a square with more room for bicyclists and pedestrians, and thus a reduction in car traffic around Hofplein. This sums up in broad strokes the ideas and wish-

There is a tremendous need for new affordable middle-in-

es submitted. Which means that, where the

come housing in central Rotterdam. RISE is a market initia-

future of Hofplein is concerned, the municipal

tive to provide sustainable dwellings for some 1,300 house-

council and citizens see eye to eye.

holds around the redeveloped Hofplein.

After Rotterdam’s municipal executive approved the RISE ambition document last year, a memorandum of guiding principles was drafted. This memorandum was adopted by the municipal council in October, bringing RED Company’s plan for three residential towers with a large stock of subsidized and mid-market housing another step closer. The next step in the municipal decision-making process is the zoning plan procedure. The official decision by Havensteder, the housing corporation that will own the subsidized rental units, is scheduled for mid-2022. As well as apartments, the towers will accommodate workspaces, shops, a café or restaurant and social amenities.

© Artist’s impression: Juurlink + Geluk

M A G A Z I N E

VOX POPS

TAKING THE STAGE

Rotterdam Central District is a district in development. Which means that it’s still undiscovered territory for many. RCD Magazine hit the streets to ask about Rotterdam’s best restaurants and bars. On a windy November afternoon, you shared your favourite spots to escape the cold autumn weather.

IVO MOES (30) “Across from Brew Dog is a tiny

wine bar that’s super good called LenselinQ. The staff are passionate and they’ve got amazing wines.

It’s not cheap, but they tell a whole story to go with it, so you get something for it. I only found out

ANNE PLAISIER (33)

about it recently when a colleague took me along. But you can bet I’ll be going there a lot in future.”

“DeKoffiebar in Karel Door-

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manstraat is one of my favourite spots to drink a cup of coffee. There’s a fun atmosphere and they serve really good coffee. Plus, they have a big terrace which makes for great people-watching. When it gets cold out, they have all different kinds of hot chocolate, so a perfect place for the chilly months.”

KARLA CERVAR (22)

TEXT Tessa Burger

PHOTOGRAPHY Lysanne Wilkens

“I haven’t really been anywhere, since I just moved here. However, my friends recommended Biergarten to me. I have heard it’s quite famous here and they told me it’s a very cool place; relaxed and with a lot of young people. I will definitely be visiting and trying their beers out soon.”

HARINI RAVI (26)

“I moved here recently so I don’t know a lot of spots. But I do know that Pho is really good! It’s a Vietnamese restaurant and I just got a bami sandwich with tofu from them for lunch – I am a vegetarian, so it’s really nice to have some good options for vegans and vegetarians.”

TIM ULUDAG (49)

ARNAUD BABOELALL (33)

“The best Surinamese food around

“For good coffee and warm

here is at De Kade. When I get

apple pie I go to Dudok, which

Surinamese takeaway that’s the

also has a location in Central

only place I really go and I think it’s

Station as well. That’s what

literally open day and night. They

they’re famous for, of course.

redid the place a few years ago, so

They also supply to stores now,

now when you go you can see right

so you can enjoy the taste at

inside the kitchen. The staff work

home, but it still tastes best

fast and it’s great on the go.”

when served to you. That’s my recommendation not just for morning coffee breaks, but any time of day, haha.”

CHRISTIE AERTS (56)

“When I used to live here I went to Lux a lot, which is the best restaurant ever, if you ask me. The food is good, the mood is laid back and the staff are great. You can really see that Rotterdam ‘cut the crap and get to work’ mentality there, which I love. I feel at home there.”

WOUTER ROMEIJN (28)

“Have I got recommendations? Absolutely, tons! Vijverstraat is always very chill, I think. You’ve got Mooie Boules there and Brewpup Reijngoud.

There’s a friendly, mellow vibe and it’s a bit quieter. Very different from Witte de Withstraat and the rest of the centre.”

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M A G A Z I N E

provast.nl

INTERVIEW

COFFEE BREAK Among the buildings soaring over Rotterdam’s central station plaza is Delftse Poort. Its tall towers create a cosmopolitan feel at the gateway to RCD and are home to a wide variety of merchants and businesses. Lieke Poppe, Community Manager at Delftse Poort, WTC Utrecht and the UP Office Building in Amsterdam, is devoted to this complex in the Central District and hopes to quickly expand the community in parallel with the location.

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LIEKE, COULD YOU TELL US

month sabbatical to figure out what

app. These are all elements we’re

ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

I wanted. Going from leading a com-

working on, sometimes packaged in

“After graduating with a degree in

pany to regular management is a step

a campaign, like the gigantic stick-

marketing, communication and man-

down, of course, and the work is very

er on the building. They’re always

agement, I wasn’t quite sure what

different – from making policy to exe-

well-received and people get actively

I wanted to do. The wife of the then

cuting it, but it was clear pretty quick-

involved. Aside from that, I’m also a

general manager of CAST - a B2B

ly that this suits me much better. In

listening ear for tenants. I try to get

trade centre for accessories, bags

August 2019 I started as CBRE’s com-

feedback from them about possible

and shoes - put me in touch with the

munity manager. I like to make people

improvements.”

company, and I was there 19 years.

happy, and that’s also what makes me

Though I never planned to stay that

good at this job. Working with people,

WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS

long, things worked out different-

making them happy and surprising

IMPORTANT IN THE CENTRAL

ly. Partly because there are so many

them: that’s what energizes me.”

DISTRICT? “What’s important from my point

TEXT Céline Boute

PHOTOGRAPHY Ruben Stam

things I enjoy, plus I’m not quick to say no. I did every job in the compa-

WHAT EXACTLY DOES YOUR JOB

of view is to enlarge the connection

ny, from organizing trade fairs, event

ENTAIL?

between Delftse Poort and RCD.

management, reception and book-

“A community manager is the soft

Together with Rob, I’d like to inves-

keeping right through to being gen-

added value piece of the real estate

tigate opportunities to link more

eral manager. I was the general man-

puzzle. I organize events, activi-

Delftse Poort tenants with the RCD

ager for six years, but realized fairly

ties, presentations and lots of other

Association. This hasn’t made much

soon that the shoe didn’t fit. I like

things to connect people with the

headway yet because of the lock-

working alongside other people and

building. And not only with the build-

down and long-time impossibility of

being close to the action, and after 19

ing, but also with each other and the

organizing things. In the future I do

years it was time for something new.”

location. There’s quite a lot going on

want to give a little extra attention

here: activities to have fun and un-

to more positive liveliness in RCD to

HOW DID YOU BECOME A

wind, mental well-being groups and

give the people who live, work and

COMMUNITY MANAGER?

also athletic events, and we’re refin-

pass through here a good and proud

“After leaving CAST, I took a nine-

ing and expanding our Delftse Poort

feeling about the district.”

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M A G A Z I N E

LIEKE POPPE Age: 44 Job: Community manager Favourite spot: Trattoria A Proposito – such a good and cosy place to eat!

Hobbies: Cooking and meals with friends, but I also love losing myself in a book or a Netflix series.

foto credit: Jan Bijl, 2021

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SUSAN BIJL created two limited-edition bags for Operator — a record bag for 12’’ vinyl and a bum bag for sticks, plugs, and your headphones. For more info regarding prices, measurements, and materials, please visit our shop on the website: shop.operator-radio.com

shop.operator-radio.com www.operator-radio.com | www.susanbijl.nl | foto credit: Jan Bijl, 2021

HOTSPOTS

HOTSPOTS This city is sizzling with all kinds of hotspots. In the Central District, too, there are loads of colourful, delicious and fun places to go. For this issue we’ve lined up three unique places that are well worth a visit, each with its own story and style.

KARMA CAFÉ X VEGAN PIZZA BAR

PILLARS BAR & KITCHEN

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New on Hofplein is the colourful Karma Café: an eatery where the food tastes

The name refers not only to the four pil-

as good as it is good for you, right in

lars in the lobby of the Marriott Hotel,

the heart of Rotterdam Central Dis-

where you’ll find this restaurant, but

trict. There are menu options galore,

also to their four core values: to wel-

thanks to a partnership with the Vegan

come, to gather, to collaborate and to

Pizza Bar next door. It goes without

chill! Pillars more than lives up to this

saying that everything is vegan (even

promise. From a lovely spot to brunch

beverages)! Hungry for falafel? Try

away the morning to a bustling bar

their Falafval (‘afval’ = waste in Dutch).

until late at night, Pillars knows how

Made from leftover veg, this entrée is

to make its guests feel welcome what-

eco-friendly, healthy and delicious.

modern classics with local fare, and has

HOTEL NOT HOTEL

something to please every palate.

Here, a room isn’t just a room, but an

ever the time of day. The menu mixes

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artwork with a story. With 36 rooms in all and each one a unique, characterful and colourful creation, this hotel – as the name implies – is not just any hotel.

Developed in collaboration with local artists, this artistic accommodation is one guests will never tire of and that begs a sensational voyage of discovery.

While you’re exploring, don’t forget to visit the hotel’s Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar, Jesús Malverde, with more bold interior styling on dazzling display.

M A G A Z I N E

HOTEL NOT HOTEL OPENED ITS DOORS

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Hotel Not Hotel opened its doors. Their concept is unique with rooms hidden behind art installations. The guests literally sleep in art.

The hotel also houses Jesus Malverde. The bar with some tasty tacos and cocktails. Looking for something special to accommodate your guest or a place to go for after work drinks. Hotel Not Hotel and Jesus Malverde is the new hotspot to check out.

www.hotelnothotel.com

#RCD ONLINE

SHARE YOUR VIEW ON #RCD

@rdammarriott

@ansanuz

@groothandelsgebouw

R C D @ ralf_emmerich

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M A G A Z I N E

@groothandelsgebouw

@scapinoballetrotterdam

@lebkov

@vanstijl

@delftsepoort

@operator.radio

@centraldistrict

@fleurwallenburg

/rotterdamcentraldistrict

@cicrotterdam

Rotterdam Central District

/ vrcd

COUNTING DOWN TO THE FUTURE. WITH YOU.

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The Modernist is an initiative by

May all your wishes for 2022 come true!

They’re waiting for you here, at The Modernist

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M A G A Z I N E

TheModernist.nl

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MORNING RUSH LUNCH TIME AFTER WORK Rushing in between appointments or far planned upfront, Rob Peetoom Zuidas is here to get you ready for every occasion.

Book online to find the perfect time that suits you.

ROB PEETOOM ROT TERDAM | MEENT 128 | 3011 JS ROT TERDAM | 010 411 87 11 BOOK ONLINE AT WWW.ROBPEETOOM.COM

COLUMN

TREE CRUSADERS IN THE HOFPLEIN FOUNTAIN Here’s an idea. Let’s try to preserve the six great big plane trees outside Central Station. The ground where these old-timers are now rooted will soon be occupied by a high-rise built partly from wood, brilliantly named the Tree House, with a spectacular design that beautifully complements the concrete and glass façades of Rotterdam Central District.

I know just the spot for these gnarly mastodons: Hofplein, around the fountain.

Now, I can already hear Coolsingel 40 (City Hall), De Rotterdam (010 bureaucratic HQ) and Laan op Zuid (RET HQ) protesting it can’t be done. No doubt there are all kinds of excellent excuses to be found or invented to consign my idea to the dustbin.

The climate summit in Glasgow recently came and went and by now we all know darn well that we need to spare no effort to

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stop climate change. Its effects are regularly evident in RCD. In summer we wrestle with heat stress. And in spring all the paved surfaces leave rain almost nowhere to go when heavy downpours roll through. Trees can help to cool our streets and lap up some of that water.

But back to why we need more green in RCD. Combating urban heat is one reason; attracting insects and birds is another. And © Ralf Emmerich

then there are all the apartments being built here in the decades ahead. Families will be moving in. Children should be able to play under a lovely leafy canopy. Trees enhance the quality of outdoor space – or, as the landscape architect Willemijn van Manen says it elsewhere in this

Eduard Voorn is a freelance

issue: “Trees make an impact”.

journalist with a focus on economics, and first and

Which brings me back to Hofplein and that fountain. A lot of money has been

foremost a Rotterdammer.

thrown around to “do something with it”. The Hofplein project ranks among the

He lives in the villagey outskirts

seven major urban projects to make the city greener, healthier and above all more

of Rotterdam Central District,

pleasant. I say “do something with it”, because I am not convinced much of any-

breakfasts at Op Het Dak, eats

thing will be accomplished if there are going to be trams clanging through every

his pizza at Bird, raises a pint

other minute and all the cars are still speeding by. If we don’t make choices, this

at Biergarten or Weena, gets

is not going to be any kind of tranquil space where people want to linger. Hence

his caffeine fix at Lebkov and

my plan with the trees. In fact, we’ll have to rethink our whole design approach.

catches the latest flicks in Pathé

Because, as Glasgow proved, papering over the cracks won’t solve anything.

Schouwburgplein. His kids were born in the now-famous Mecanoo architectural firm’s first project on Kruisplein.

M A G A Z I N E

BEAUTIFUL SUNSET OVER THE ROTTERDAM SKYLINE 30

PHOTOGRAPHY Pascal Striebel

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M A G A Z I N E

LIVING IN RCD

HOME TOURS

IN ROTTERDAM CENTRAL DISTRICT Artist Maurik and industrial designer Klaartje have been friends since childhood and a few years ago also became building neighbours in Rotterdam Central District. In an anti-squat property overlooking Central Station, each has turned their storey into a home uniquely their own.

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HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO LIVE HERE?

haha. But what is really great to me is how big it is, and I

Klaartje: “In my case, yes. My dad’s architecture firm used

keep on discovering different spots I love.”

to be on the ground floor and when I used to come here as a

M: “My favourite spot at home changes depending on the

child, I would fantasize about what I could do with this space

season. But what’s very cool is that we have these big win-

if I ever got to live here one day. His office had always been

dows, so loads of natural light, and because there are sever-

an anti-squatting place, so when they eventually moved out

al tall buildings around with reflective windows, we some-

I asked on Maurik’s behalf if he could move in. I followed a

times get to see the sunset five times a day. Not everyone

year later and got another one of the floors here.”

can say that!”

Maurik: “At first, it was meant to be for just a month and they said it was literally on the verge of being torn down.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE OBJECT AT HOME?

But as the months went by I kept being told I could stay a

K: “My house is maybe a little homier and restful than Mau-

bit longer, and now I’ve lived here around seven years all to-

rik’s, because of course he’s an artist and that comes out

gether, and Klaartje around six. The first few weeks I slept

in his interior. But I have hung up a hammock where I can

in her father’s office, as it were, without any bathroom, and

totally chill out!”

I showered in a cubicle on the balcony I rigged up with a gar-

M: “In my place I haven’t got a hammock but a dining table

den hose. Actually, it was romantic in a way.”

hanging from the ceiling – that’s one of my earlier projects,

PHOTOGRAPHY Lysanne Wilkens

haha. So, that’s pretty unusual. I also made some of the fur-

IS IT DIFFICULT TO FEEL AT HOME WHEN YOU’RE

niture myself. My workshop is on the floor between mine

ANTI-SQUATTING?

and Klaartje’s, so it’s not so odd that my work sort of spills

K: “I don’t find it to be all that difficult. It really does feel

over into my home.”

like home and I’m happy here. It comes with some uncertainties, of course, but I also get so much out of it. It’s a terrific space and it’s nice and central and close to everything I need.”

M: “It bothered me a little more at first as you’re constantly trying to work out if investments you make in the house are worth it. Because, how much longer can you stay? It’s not easy to make an anti-squatting house feel like home, but

TEXT Tessa Burger

it is important. Fortunately I got there, after seven years.”

WHAT’S THE COOLEST THING ABOUT YOUR HOUSE? K: “We have two cats, Otje and Kobus, who wander around the whole building. They’re two very cool housemates,

MAURIK R C D

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M A G A Z I N E

KLAARTJE

SUCCESS STORY

“My role in the restaurant is to make people feel at home.”

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Five years ago, Nienke van der Neut (23) decided to trade the South Holland ‘islands’ for big city life on the Maas. Her culinary journey started long before then, with a varied succession of restaurant jobs in Zeeland. From her very first encounter with the Suicide Club concept in RCD, she was sold on the nightlife scene. Today, she knows she’s lucky to have found her passion early on.

place was sold, and me with it.”

Despite this, Nienke and MESS decided not to part ways, and took the leap together to build a whole new business. The result is Restaurant OX on Schiekade.

BUDDING ENTREPRENEUR Taking risks, starting trends, lis-

Figuring out what you want to study and do in life is rarely

tening to your intuition and taking an interest in the peo-

easy. It certainly wasn’t for Nienke, who studied commu-

ple you work with have made MESS entrepreneurs Nikki,

nication back home in Zeeland for a year until a friend

Roeland and Tijmen inspiring role models for Nienke. From

persuaded her to come to Rotterdam. “I got a place with

the moment she arrived in the Central District and the

a friend in Rotterdam and enrolled in a university psychol-

Suicide Club, she discovered a go-with-the-flow mentality

ogy programme. My dad is a psychologist and, to me, that

that fuelled her growth as a budding entrepreneur. “Over

felt like the right fit. It was interesting and academically

the past couple of years I’ve realized I enjoy that ongoing

enriching, but I decided a career path as a psychologist

process of looking at what’s missing or what can be done

wasn’t for me.” While still a student, Nienke applied to

to make things more fun and exciting. I’m still only 23,

MESS for a job at the Suicide Club. When they offered her

though, so I’m on a massive learning curve. Right now, Res-

a full-time position, she seized the opportunity.

taurant OX is a brilliant opportunity for me to learn.” Nien-

TEXT Céline Boute

PHOTOGRAPHY Ruben Stam

PASSION

ke says taking care of people comes naturally to her and that makes her job as a hostess ideal. “My role in the res-

Nienke’s love of the restaurant scene was never a secret.

taurant is to make people feel at home. I welcome guests

She loves going out for a night on the town and started do-

with open arms and make sure the evening is perfect for

ing different restaurant jobs in Zeeland early on. “The Su-

them from start to finish.”

icide Club really brought out my passion for this industry.

Their approach to hospitality and the concept of offering

RETURNING THE FAVOUR

people a complete experience instead of just food service

Nienke also raves about the collaboration between all the

hugely appealed to me. Just before the Suicide Club closed,

businesses in the Schieblock and RCD. “There’s always

Beau – a friend of mine – had become the restaurant man-

someone you can call on or who’s willing to help you out.

ager, with me as his assistant manager. Ayla was also still

It’s not everywhere you have that impetus to keep striv-

part of MESS at that stage, which is where the ball started

ing to do better or to think about new events or parties.

rolling really fast. I went straight to assistant manager at

And my tip: come to OX! I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve

Ayla, and manager a year and a half after that, until the

created here.”

“ There’s always someone you can call on or who’s willing to help you out.”

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35

M A G A Z I N E

SAVILLS:

“A WAKEUP CALL FOR EVERYONE”

TEXT Romy Lange

PHOTOGRAPHY Ruben Stam

36

RCD MAGAZINE PARTNER

Savills is one of the world’s pre-eminent real estate advisors.

Alongside offices in the Americas, Middle East and Africa, they also operate in Rotterdam Central District. Els van Bronckhorst, head of Workplace & Development Strategies, and Lotte de Jong, head of Tenant Representation & Workplace Consultancy, share their observations on Rotterdam’s changing occupier market.

“A major factor we look at is how we can make buildings future-proof and pleasant for tenants and their employees”, Els says. “It’s vital to know what users want and what fits their organization.” With Covid, those needs have changed completely over the past year, notes Lotte, who describes her job as “bridging a company’s vision, ambition and wishes with what its employees need”.

CHANGE “If it were just the desk, you could stay at home”, Els jokes. The idea that the sole point of the office is work no longer holds true. The function of offices is shifting, and this change is being reflected in their design. “They are becoming places to gather, with mainly a connective function.” The question now is how best to shape and structure this new work culture in a hybrid workplace that specifically fosters interaction.

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If anything, this past year has revealed that working from home some of the time doesn’t have to put a crimp on operat-

“People in Rotterdam craft their identity in their own creative, unique way”

ing results. Property owners know all too well that they have to facilitate this new function. “This is where organizational DNA comes in”, Lotte continues. “There is no one size fits all.”

Even so, there are many commonalities. People want “fewer desks, more space for teams to meet, and you don’t want to know how many coffee bars I’m putting up”, Lotte says.

WAKEUP CALL All this is stimulating organizations to think about their ambitions. Lotte clarifies, “It’s been a wakeup call, in a very pos-

itive sense. The important thing is to take time out to really look together at what does and doesn’t work. Instead of getting swept up in the tide, this forces you to think about how you want to structure your organization and how your real estate can be made to fit.” If an office space works for the people who work in it, Els explains, that fosters creative discussions and interaction among colleagues. Moreover, it can genuinely boost productivity and vitality and reduce illness among employees.

NO PLACE LIKE ROTTERDAM “The mentality in Rotterdam is different compared to a place like Amsterdam”, observes Els. She describes the port city’s market as more “down to earth”, but tenants have very definite ideas about what they want and how they want it. Lotte adds: “Rotterdam is grittier and more pragmatic. Users want to see their identity reflected in the building, and to me that’s what makes this such a cool city. People in Rotterdam craft their identity in their own creative, expansive way, not based on some legacy. Consequently, they become very attached to a place and unlikely to leave it.” This also explains why the majority of projects Savills is currently managing are not relocations, but renovations of existing offices. “These occupiers are Lotte de Jong & Els van Bronckhorst

loyal to their city.”

37

M A G A Z I N E

NEW MEMBERS

VERENIGING RCD WELCOMES THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS

Cars for people who don’t want cars

DRIVE AMBER

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Pompenburg 642

38

EUREKON STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT Weena 690

GREENBERG NIELSEN

BROODJE Q

Weena 690

Schouwburgplein 56

INTERVIEW

“TREES MAKE AN IMPACT” From left to right: Frido van Nieuwamerongen (Arconiko architecten), Kees van Oorschot (project manager RCD Municipality Rotterdam), Willemijn van Manen (Landscape Architect at ZUS), Nora Kooijmans (Echo Urban Design), Rob Ittmann (RCD)

Did you know Rotterdam Central District has its own cli-

Van Manen knows that greening existing urban spaces is

mate team? These urban planners, architects and land-

a wicked task, often frustrated by diverging interests and

scape architects are exploring ways to green the district

complex laws that slow progress. Property owners look at

and help it weather the effects of climate change. No easy

their spreadsheets and see a building is profitable. Why

task, but we all know that persistence pays off, and this

bother planting up the façade to offset heat stress or lay-

team is proving it.

ing sedum on the roof to absorb rainwater? The trick is to multiply opportunities and keep all parties thinking. For

If you were given a spade to green RCD, what would you

instance, it’s a shame that the strip in front of her office

do? Landscape architect Willemijn van Manen (32) doesn’t

is mere lawn, when there’s such need for diversity: “Grass

need to think twice. She’d start by digging up the car park

with meadow herbs and a tree would attract insects and

outside Biergarten, behind the Schiekadeblok, and putting

birds. Now it’s just bare grass with no forage or shelter.”

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M A G A Z I N E

It’s enough to make a person cynical, Willemijn mutters.

“That would be the starting point of a line of trees running

But not her. You need to be a little cheeky, is her message,

up to the station, through it, and ending at the old ice-skat-

and that’s a trait she shares with the rest of ZUS and the

ing rink on Conradstraat. Trees make an impact.”

climate team. “Street lighting around and between the two Unilever offices on Weena and Hofplein is one thing we’re

A project leader at the architectural firm ZUS, Van Manen

tackling. Within the available budget, we’re looking for

joined the climate team a few months ago. From her third-

ways to fit in climate adaptive interventions such as plant-

floor Schieblock office, she has a view of Hofplein and the

ing trees and greening façades. Making the most of what

bright yellow air bridge that has become both landmark

you have is key. That’s why the ability to quickly pivot with

and export product. And more proof that persistence pays

local actors to get initiatives off the ground is the climate

off. RCD would be unthinkable now without the yellow

team’s superpower. And the power of design firms and gov-

bridge linking it to the rest of the city.

ernment working together.”

TEXT Eduard Voorn

ipal tree shed. With a cheeky glint in her eye, she continues:

PHOTOGRAPHY Ruben Stam

in the plane trees currently kicking their heels in the munic-

“ It’s inspiring to be able to reposition this building”

TEXT Romy Lange

PHOTOGRAPHY Lysanne Wilkens

40

Jan-Willem Kos, Senior Asset Manager and Director WTC Rotterdam & WTC The Hague at Bouwinvest

RCD MAGAZINE PARTNER

Senior Asset Manager JanWillem Kos has worked at Bouwinvest for more than 13 years. He started his career in the Amsterdam region, supervising large urban redevelopment projects there. After a few years, Jan-Willem traded the capital for The Hague, where Bouwinvest had acquired WTC The Hague. When it added WTC Rotterdam to its portfolio, he was put in charge of designing a large master plan for this building, which is on the national heritage list. “We formulated twenty subplans, three-quarters of which are now finished.

It’s inspiring and great fun to be able to reposition this building”, says an enthusiastic Jan-Willem.

LAST MILE Four sub-plans are currently still in line to be rolled out. “Still on the programme, for example, is the listed hall”, Jan-Willem says. “What’s wonderful is that much of what is completed is visible already and you can see the qual-

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ity of it. That is helping us through this last mile. The new office spaces are first rate. Before we started, a lot was hidden by suspended ceilings, but we brought it back to the original state. The façade has been completely upgrad-

41

ed to look beautiful while also meeting the latest comfort and sustainability standards. In the tower, we’ve created sleek, modern spaces with radiant ceilings. The tower offices also have an awesome view over the city.”

FROM G TO A++ ENERGY Sustainability is a priority at Bouwinvest. Jan-Willem: “It is deeply intertwined with our policy and we really aspire to be one of the most sustainable funds, and to be nearly energy neutral by 2045. With a green portfolio, we anticipate lower investment risks and higher returns, so we can offer shareholders very strong investments. After all of the investments we’ve made here, this building is exceptionally sustainable. The façades have been modified and refurbished, the roofs insulated, we have climate control systems that are up to modern standards of comfort, we have solar panels on the roof and we’re using a much larger share of renewable energy. For a listed building, it’s really unique. It started out with a ‘G’ energy label and we brought it up to ‘A++’. We also received a BREEAM Very Good rating, which is a tremendous accomplishment. With our tenants, we’re looking at how the space is being used, as this ultimately plays a key part in sustainability. A Health and Wellbeing Programme has been developed for tenants as well, covering things like WTC catering services and that the food is locally produced where possible.”

RE-OPENING The last remaining sub-plans will be executed in the coming months, says Jan-Willem. “By around summer we expect to celebrate the grand reopening of the new WTC Rotterdam. After that, we’ll carry on with interior developments. This building demands it and that’s Bouwinvest’s philosophy. We’ll continually stay involved.”

M A G A Z I N E

MEMOBOARD

COLOURFUL PING-PONG TABLES IN GROOT HANDELSGEBOUW Step inside the Groot Handelsgebouw and you’ll be treated to one of the most colourful exhibitions anywhere in Rotterdam, set up as part of the Collision Project art platform. In the first issue of RCD Magazine, we introduced you to Saïd Kinos, the artist who created a kaleidoscopic artwork for this platform. Last October, the historic building’s owner, Jamestown, invited twenty artists to unleash their creativity on twenty blank ping-pong tables in honour of the 20th edition of Dutch Design Week. The result is a sea of colour and expression. It also reflects Jamestown’s mission to make its buildings more than just places to work. As important are perception, creativity and interaction. The tables, which are part of the Collision Project, can be viewed free of charge during office hours. © Antim Photography

42

FIRST FOREST GARDEN IN RCD During one of the last lazy days of summer a mini forest garden was planted in the city’s second hottest spot: the RCD car park outside Biergarten.

What’s a forest garden, you ask? It’s a ‘forest’ created by people to produce food. All of the plants are perennials, so there’s a harvest year on year with minimal effort. By creating different layers of planting, you can pack every square foot with loads of edibles, including fruits, nuts, herbs, veg and even flowers. Very soon, there will be all sort of green things shooting up in this tiny slice of the Central District: an apple tree, redcurrant bushes, perennial vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. The diversity of planting will also draw new critters, while the healthy forest soil will help to capture excess water from heavy rainfalls. Which in turn will cool the city on hot summer days!

The forest garden is an initiative of Rotterdam Central District and Groene Morgen and was planted in August 2021 by Stefan Herwig of Buro Kruisbestuiving, which also did the design. Know of other spots in RCD that could use a green upgrade? Don’t wait: get in touch so we can roll out a living green carpet across the district, one parcel at a time. © Steevy Schipper and Sander Dikstra

© Municipality of Rotterdam

SURVEY OF THE CULTURAL HISTORY OF WEENA – HOFPLEIN

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Hofplein and Weena are cornerstones of central Rotterdam. The former qualifies as one of the city’s most iconic urban spaces, while the latter could be called La Défense of Rotterdam, conceived as “a truly grand entrance” into the city. Both are structures that have gone through multiple redevelopments and in which a multiplicity of

43

visions for the city come together. Although the modern-day cityscape is dominated by relatively new buildings, some urban developments go back centuries.

The municipality of Rotterdam recently commissioned a survey of the cultural history of Weena and Hofplein.

The survey looked into the unique spatial and functional characteristics of this important piece of the city centre, the value and significance of its historic layers and how these values can inform choices about the future.

The survey will provide a cultural-historical guideline for various spatial developments planned in RCD. Read the survey (in Dutch) on: www.rotterdam-centraldistrict.nl

M A G A Z I N E

ARCHITECTURE

BOUW CENTRUM Rotterdam is continually evolving. The city is famed for its great diversity of 20th-century architecture as well as its newer ultramodern structures. In each issue, we shine a spotlight on one of Rotterdam Central District’s iconic buildings.

This time, on the Bouwcentrum. All but hidden amid the District’s skyscrapers, the ‘Building Centre’ has plenty of interesting stories to tell. Designed in 1947, this unusual 16-sided structure was originally a space for informative exhibitions about construction and housing.

The Bouwcentrum was a place where professionals and the interested public could visit exhibitions and get objective information about construction and housing. Plans for the Centre arose during the Second World War with the intention to support the national reconstruction effort in a scientific and systematic way. Founders Joop van der Wal, director of the BAM construction firm, and Jan

44

van Ettinger, a statistician at the state-run statistics bureau (CBS), established it in the heart of post-war Rotterdam. In time, the Centre expanded to encompass a complex of buildings on Weena/Kruisplein, where it operated until 1996.

NATIONAL HERITAGE SITE In 1996 the Bouwcentrum was relocated to the former premises of the Nationale Levensverzekerings-Bank on Schiekade. A 1955 extension was demolished and replaced by the First office block, though a brick relief by Henry Moore was preserved. The extension on Kruisplein was also torn down and the main entrance moved to the café-restaurant. The round exhibition building was restored by Schiller Architects in 2000, at which time the closed walls of brickwork were PHOTOGRAPHY Marlies Lageweg TEXT PHOTOGRAPHY Romy LangeGreenchoice en René Stoute (2018, Stadsarchief Rotterdam)

pierced with windows to provide more daylight. The building was designated a national heritage site in 2009. It was long occupied by the housing association Vestia and has been home to Greenchoice since 2017. Out of respect for the building’s legacy, Greenchoice took charge of its conversion into a modern office space and installed solar panels on the roof. On Reconstruction Day in 2019, the building opened its doors to the public and served as the centre for the city’s reconstruction festivities.

SIXTEEN SIDES The first design for the building was presented in February 1946 by Rotterdam-based architect Joost Boks (1904-1986) and was intended for a location on Coolsingel. In the end, the definitive site chosen was the former Diergaarde zoo grounds off Kruisplein. Boks presented an unusual 16-sided design for the new site a few months later, and construction started in March 1947. The Bouwcentrum officially opened on 18 May 1949, ‘Reconstruction Day’. Its distinctive shape made the building famous both at home and abroad.

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M A G A Z I N E

FACTS ARCHITECT: J.W.C. BOKS CONSTRUCTION PERIOD: 1946-1949 ADDRESS: KRUISPLEIN 15 SURFACE AREA: 4276,3 M2 CURRENT TENANT: GREENCHOICE

To read more about this building, take a look at wederopbouwrotterdam.nl

INTERVIEW

OX: New kid on the (Schie)block Since mid-October this year, Rotterdam Central District boasts yet another hotspot – though this restaurant can be a little harder to find. Mess Group founders Nikki van Dijk, Roeland Flierman and Tijmen Meijer certainly haven’t been sitting still this past year. Pandemic or no, they have thrown themselves into developing the newly transformed Schieblock basement.

Nikki van Dijk, long active as a spokesperson and representative for the local business owners association, took us along on a culinary journey from the drawing board to the opening of the self-styled ‘speakeasy’ OX.

46

It’s no secret that the Mess Group is an entrepreneurial bunch bursting with ideas. They first landed in RCD with Biergarten, breathed life into the thriving Suicide Club and took a gastronomic leap with Ayla. To them, Rotterdam Central District is the real heart of this city. No other location in Rotterdam could tick all their boxes, hence Restaurant OX brings them back to their roots. Nikki: “We love this area because of the tremendous opportunities and contrasts here. With any big city, often what stands out are the big contrasts, the deep layeredness and all the lives unfolding in parallel. You can find all those elements here. There’s still a lot of blank canvas. The permanent impermanence creates such vitality – it’s exciting, sexy, liberated and everything you’d want in a place to go out. There’s enough space here to do what you

PHOTOGRAPHY Ashley Rottjers, Jesaja Hizkia

want, how you want.” As well as being a crucible for creative

“Each zodiac has its own scents, flavours and associations with Chinese medicines and herbs.”

ideas, this is also a place where small business owners, corporates and local residents meet and mingle. As an example, Nikki points to the long-standing and well-maintained relationships with companies such as Unilever and Cool Blue.

PASSIONATE TEAM The whole world has been living with a lot of uncertainty and questions these last two years. Starting up any new establishment in this period is obviously no piece of cake, but with a determined and passionate team, anything is possible. “In the hospitality business, all we have to work with is what we have: our essence. For us, that was our brilliant rapport with

Alex Wong, our chef, whom we’ve been working with for years. And the wonderful relationship

TEXT Céline Boute

with Nienke, our former manager at Ayla and hostess here, and a lovely partnership with our bartender, Jaco. Everyone really wanted to stay plugged in to the energy in this district, where we had invested so much already.” At OX, the team can express its deep affinity with gastronomy, and each member has their own showcase in which to shine. With both a bar and kitchen, OX is also connected to the local network around the clock.

Chef Alexander Wong

Bartender Jacopo Di Domenico

WORK LIKE AN OX Transforming the basement of the Schieblock into a dynamic yet cosy speakeasy: that became the mission. “None of the options for creating something awesome turned out to be straightforward. Then Roeland, my business partner, suggested our basement.

You have to imagine that this basement was filled to the rafters with junk. No one could picture it. Roeland

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won us over, produced a nice drawing with an interior designer, and that’s how we all ended up taking the leap.” The name is borrowed from Chef Alex’s Chinese

47

zodiac. It’s also the number 010 in Roman numerals – the Rotterdam area code - and 2021 is the year of the Ox. Specializing in Chinese cuisine, the menu offers a range of smaller and larger plates plus a wide selection of natural wines and a specially conceived cocktail list created by Jaco to compliment the dishes. “People all have a zodiac based on the year they were born in, and everyone on our team has a different one – so that means eight different animals and personalities”, Jaco says. “Each zodiac has its own scents, flavours and associations with Chinese medicines and herbs. All of these cocktails augment the food and the experience of an evening out at OX.”

M A G A Z I N E

INTERVIEW

RotterdamRijker:

“add meaning to your life” RotterdamRijker is an organization that explores the softer aspects of the hard business world in

48

which many of us work. The name itself, which translates as ‘Rotterdam Richer’, poses a conundrum: we’re ‘richer’ primarily because we earn money – but is that truly enriching? Gert Weerheim, a lawyer who has worked in construction and procurement practice for ten years, was looking for somewhere to help him cultivate a sense of depth and purpose in relation to his work, and discovered there was no such place in the Central District. He ran his idea past acquaintances, colleagues and partners at companies based in the area, and so RotterdamRijker was born.

Enthusiasm for an initiative dedicated to reflection and

ingful life’, and next year we’ve booked Ben Tiggelaar. Peo-

finding meaning and purpose quickly spread, resulting in

ple grab a beer and sit down to listen, and afterwards we all

a foundation with a governing board. Gert explains, “In es-

gather for drinks. As well as learning something, people en-

sence, RotterdamRijker seeks to counter hard rationality

joy the chance to meet others.” RotterdamRijker also runs a

with softer forces. We’re focused on our own peers – legal

book club, with a film club soon to follow, offering a variety

practitioners, consultants, accountants and people work-

of ways for participants to get together and share.

TEXT Céline Boute

PHOTOGRAPHY Ruben Stam

ing at corporates in the city. However, we try to keep it lowkey and everyone interested in learning more about the

TWO PILLARS

deeper ‘questions of life’ is welcome. The core of the foun-

Underpinning the foundation’s activities and presentations

dation is made up of a team of eight members, including

are two fixed pillars: personal and professional develop-

Immanuel Kapteijns, who was hired part-time to do most

ment (and risks like burn-out), and economics and sustain-

of the organization.

ability. “Within the second pillar, we see it as our mission

SOCIALIZING FOR A SENSE OF PURPOSE

to acquaint young professionals with both micro (e.g., how can my organization be a force for good?) and macro-level

A core activity are RotterdamRijker’s Thursday programmes

perspectives like what is a good form of capitalism?” For

hosted at LaatBloeien every six weeks. For a small contri-

Gert, the conversations and mental journeys with visitors

bution, all are welcome to attend a reflective talk followed

are immensely valuable. “It doesn’t primarily matter to us if

by drinks. “We’ve been fortunate to have some great names

someone chooses A or B, but that people start to think and

come speak to our guests already. On the 9th of December,

talk about these questions. So have a look on our website

Dirk De Wachter will give a talk about ‘the quest for a mean-

www.rotterdamrijker.nl and come join us on December 9th!”

INTERVIEW

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 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.

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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

49

good reputation of the district.

To achieve this we have:

M A G A Z I N E

• 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 © Iris van den Broek

• 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

Please contact Rob Ittmann (06 222 42 177) or mail to: info@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

© Hester Blankestijn

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Alticom B.V.

Gemeente Rotterdam

Rotterdam Festivals

Amber

Greenberg Nielsen

Rotterdam Marriott Hotel

Arconiko Architecten

Greenchoice

Rotterdam Partners

ASR

Groot Handelsgebouw

SaM& doethetgewoon.

Atelier van Berlo

High Potential Academy

Sanderdebreukconsultancy bv

Bar Rotterdam bv

Holmris B8

Scapino Ballet Rotterdam

Big Room B.V./Reverse/Mykech

Humanoids BV

Spaces Hofplein

Broodje Q

JLL

Steel Rides

Carthago Consultancy

LaatBloeien

Stichting De Nieuwe Poort

CBRE

Lebkov & Sons

Stichting Theater Rotterdam

CBRE global investors

Loer Architecten

Studentflex

CIC Rotterdam

LS&H Lawyers

Time is the new space

Ciphix BV

LSI Ontwikkeling BV

Unilever NV

Codarts

Lucie Group B.V.

Urban Minds B.V.

Colliers

Maarsen Groep

Van der Stap notarissen

Conix RDBM

Mess

vanStijl

Cromwell Property Group

NS

Vereniging Rotterdam Central District

Cushman & Wakefield

Ooms Makelaars Bedrijfshuisvesting B.V.

Vereniging Verenigd Schouwburgplein

DakAkker rooftopfarm foundation

Pike Delivery

Workspot

De Mik Bedrijfshuisvesting

Pluq Studio

Wrap Maniacs

District East

PPF

WTC Rotterdam

DVDW advocaten

Premier Suites Plus Rotterdam

ZUS

Echo

Provast

COLOPHON Association Rotterdam Central District

Our goal: With an excellent business climate, world-

Editor-in-chief: Romy Lange

Weena 690 (14th floor)

renowned educational institutions within reach,

Editors & Sales: Céline Boute & Nicole Pak

3012 CN Rotterdam

and leading companies in many sectors from many

Advertising: Please send an e-mail to

info@rotterdam-centraldistrict.nl

countries, RCD has huge potential. Association

info@rcdpublishers.nl for questions

www.rotterdam-centraldistrict.nl

Rotterdam Central District contributes to the RCD

about advertising.

by realizing a well functioning area. The goal is to

Art Direction and Graphic Design: vanStijl

promote a district that has international appeal, and

Translation: Taalcentrum-VU

high quality working and living conditions.

Final Editor: Ellen Josée Westrik

Magazine RCD is issued by: RCD Publishers

Printed by: NPN Drukkers

Premier Suites & Offices Rotterdam

Circulation: Free for the RCD district. It is be

Weena 710 (14th floor)

distributed by promo teams, loose circulation, HRM

Do you have a message for the editorial team

3014 DA Rotterdam

departments of companies within RCD to guarantee

or would you like to place an ad? Send us an

+31 (0)20-3620993

reaching the (sub) target groups of RCD.

e-mail at info@rcdpublishers.nl.

info@rcdpublishers.nl www.rcd publishers.nl

Frequency: four times a year

Copyright © 2021 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.

R C D

51

M A G A Z I N E

The Modernist, 12.500m² office space and 369 apartments in Rotterdam Central District.

A location beyond compare for people who live big.

For brands that aim for the stars. For companies that embrace the future. Don’t make history, make the future The Modernist

52

The Modernist is an initiative by

TheModernist.nl