2 minute read
WTC Rotterdam
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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 quality 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 upgraded 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.”
