WTC Rotterdam

A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

World Trade Center Rotterdam is, because of smart renovations, very sustainable. Owner of the building Bouwinvest, is a pioneer in the field of sustainability and this is part of their strategy. Though part of the building is on the national heritage list Bouwinvest has hired a dedicated team of developers to unravel any and all challenges and green the building. Jan Willem van den Besselaar, head of WTC property management and Senior Account Manager Asset Services at Cushman & Wakefield Nederland, is directing this demanding mission. We talk to Jan Willem, Berber Veenstra (sustainability advisor) and Tim Venneman (project manager) of Cushman & Wakefield Project & Development Services and part of this team about how they have drafted an extensive sustainability plan to ensure the building is fully future-ready.

MORE THAN REAL ESTATE

Sustainability matters more than ever, all three agree. “I have three kids, and that makes me increasingly aware of what I am passing down to the next generation”, Jan-Willem explains. It’s important precisely for this reason to look at sustainability as going beyond just aspects you can implement in real estate, Tim says. “We have to take a broader line and apply it in all facets of our lives. It’s great to see this is improving thanks to all sorts of initiatives, and that things such as waste management and transport are being addressed as well.” This is also their mission at WTC: to make both visible and invisible adaptations, with the final objective of creating more sustainable and healthier workplaces for tenants.

MONUMENTAL

Through countless modifications the monumental building has become more sustainable than the team could have ever hoped for. The age of the property is actually also its strength and can be seen as a positive feature, according to Berber. “When something can carry on being used for a long time, like this building, that’s its own kind of sustainability.” And all the adaptations being made now are helping to progressively extend that life. “We’re tackling different aspects and giving the building an upgrade each time”, Tim says. “Granted, with this master plan we are doing a rather expensive upgrade, but it is a valuable investment in the future. The building was immediately given a Label A++ instead of label F.”

LOADS OF POTENTIAL

One complicating factor is that the building’s value as listed heritage has to remain intact. It would be simple to just add insulation and wall everything up, but, Tim points out, the trick is to work in a way that conserves the value, appearance and significance of the historic building. It is unique in kind and size in Rotterdam and deserves to be conserved, and the master plan now in place will ensure that. “It is a lovely building and in fact will only get better”, Jan-Willem thinks. Just in the past year, all the façades on Coolsingel were replaced with sustainable facing, the insulation was optimized and solar panels were installed. During these complex activities the various specialisms within the Cushman & Wakefield team complement each other optimally. There is plenty more work to be completed. “Everything we’re doing will make it more pleasant and healthier for us and for tenants, and in an ecological way. That is a very vital aspect of our work.”

HAPPY DAYS AT BIERGARTEN, SCHIEBLOCK

This picture is BC (Before Covid) – as if that wasn’t obvious! Can you imagine being in such crowded company again? And are you as thrilled as we are that bars and restaurants have reopened?