Category: Architecture

Join the discussion about new green along De Boelelaan

Have you noticed them already, the human-sized question marks along the De Boelelaan Midden? They are there for a reason of course. The Zuidas department of the City of Amsterdam…

Have you noticed them already, the human-sized question marks along the De Boelelaan Midden? They are there for a reason of course. The Zuidas department of the City of Amsterdam has started preparations for the refurbishment of De Boelelaan Midden (located between Beethovenstraat and Parnassusweg).

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Feiten en cijfers Zuidas

Zuidas, het gebied dat ligt tussen Schiphol en de Amsterdamse binnenstad, tussen de wijken Buitenveldert en Oud Zuid en natuurgebieden Nieuwe Meer en Amstel, is constant in ontwikkeling en is…

Zuidas, het gebied dat ligt tussen Schiphol en de Amsterdamse binnenstad, tussen de wijken Buitenveldert en Oud Zuid en natuurgebieden Nieuwe Meer en Amstel, is constant in ontwikkeling en is de laatste jaren enorm gegroeid. Hier wat feiten en cijfers op een rij.

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The construction of the Zuidasdok project in Amsterdam may cost 1 billion euros more, according to the NOS yesterday. Moreover, a letter from Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen to the House…

The construction of the Zuidasdok project in Amsterdam may cost 1 billion euros more, according to the NOS yesterday. Moreover, a letter from Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen to the House of Representatives reveals that the large-scale construction project is once again being delayed.

Construction had initially been planned for nine years. But even before the first shovel hit the ground, the prestigious project was delayed. One of the reasons for this was the complexity of the project, with many tunnels in a small area.

Because of the delays, the cabinet had the project investigated by a committee led by former minister Sybilla Dekker. It now concludes that the project must go ahead at all costs. “Doing nothing is not an option,” she advises. Otherwise there will be too many traffic jams on the highway and at the public transport.

In view of the complexity, the project should be divided into small parts, Dekker advises. The last part will then be completed between 2032 and 2036, which is four years later than planned at the earliest. But all this also costs more money. The budget deficit is now estimated at between 700 million and 1 billion euros.

Source: www.nos.nl

Update:

From an article that newspaper NRC Saturday 28 March devoted to the developments on the Zuidasdok, it appears that the expansion of Station Zuid in particular has high priority. The number of passengers grew by 47 percent in the last year. Partly due to the arrival of international trains, 300,000 passengers per day are expected here in due course instead of the current 80,000, according to NRC.

Walter Etty, chairman of passenger organisation Rover, even calls the situation dangerous. “People are falling off the platform, it’s so crowded there.

Two professors, the economists Coen Teulings and Henri de Groot, who were consulted by Dekker, find the plans for two additional tracks too modest. They advocate eight tracks.

In her advice, former minister Dekker concludes that the national prosperity will only benefit if the Zuidasdok project is completed. Bureau Decisio calculated that two billion in costs would be offset by 2.1 billion in benefits.

According to a spokesman for the municipality of Amsterdam, the municipality is now entering into talks with the national government. The agreement is that Amsterdam will pay a quarter of the extra costs, and that the government will pay the rest. Dekker expects that politicians will agree to the extra billion, because the transport hub is of national importance. “You don’t solve anything by stopping, especially in times of crisis,” she says to NRC.

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Van Gelder contributes to a warmer Zuidas

A new impetus and a warmer atmosphere – that was architect Ben van Berkel’s remit when he was given the assignment to transform the entrance of the UNStudio building. And…

A new impetus and a warmer atmosphere – that was architect Ben van Berkel’s remit when he was given the assignment to transform the entrance of the UNStudio building. And did he succeed! “It has become much more inviting for people to just walk in,” Van Berkel says.

The entrance hall of the UNStudio building has undergone a massive change. Is it the tremendous height, the earthly colours or the abundance of light that gives the new entrance this real ‘wow!’ factor?

Ten years after delivering the 21-floor building he himself designed, architect Ben van Berkel was asked to create a new entrance that should above all appear ‘friendlier’. “It was a very nice assignment. It was wonderful to improve an existing building I designed a long time ago. To correct it, as it were. ” 

Warmer

The present owner, Union Investments, wanted to give the entrance hall a new dimension and a warmer character. “We realized that by using ultra-transparent glass, enabling people outside to see what’s happening inside. The plants we incorporated into the entrance hall create a nice play between inside and outside.” Another noticeable change is the connection with Coffee DC at the other side of Claude Debussylaan. “This could have been made even more visible, if it was for me.” 

The character of the new entrance hall of this building, located at the corner of Gustav Mahlerlaan and Parnassusweg, is defined by amazing lines of sight, a sense of openness and free-standing columns. And, of course, by the copper-coloured artwork hanging from the ceiling, a real eye-catcher. “In the old days, people used chandeliers to draw attention to the ceiling. We’ve given this a modern touch, using the movement of light to give the illusion the ceiling is even higher than it is.”

Pushing boundaries

UNStudio, Ben van Berkel’s architectural firm, is an office with versatile professionals. “That artwork is of our own making; our interior design department really pushed the boundaries there. We also came up with the bench flowing over into the planter and other surprise elements, including the chairs in the entrance. All these things together give visitors that feeling of ‘Wow!’ when they enter this building.”

Interesting fact: there is another Van Berkel building at the Zuidas – the NautaDutilh building on Beethovenstraat was also designed by UNStudio. “When the UNStudio building was delivered in 2009, there were mainly offices here at the Zuidas. Back then, I said they should avoid creating a monoculture as the place would be dead after 5 p.m. and people wouldn’t feel safe going home after work. It’s much more lively now, with all the restaurants, bars and cafés that have sprung up, and due to the residential tower blocks that have been built.”

“I would definitely like to stay involved with the Zuidas and I’ve already been asked to look at new projects. It is important to keep building residential homes here, not just high-end apartments. Only then, the Zuidas will be able to make a real contribution to the city of Amsterdam. Actually, I think people underestimate how close the Zuidas is to the town centre and how nice it is to live here. As you can see, I’m very upbeat about the Zuidas!”

 

 

Architect Ben van Berkel
Photo: Christian Richters and Els Zweerink

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Zuidas versus The City

Obviously, one cannot compare the Zuidas with its bigger financial brother in London as the British capital has ten times as many inhabitants. But still, the Zuidas is slowly but…

Obviously, one cannot compare the Zuidas with its bigger financial brother in London as the British capital has ten times as many inhabitants. But still, the Zuidas is slowly but surely getting a more international image and – due to the impending Brexit – more and more companies are opening offices in Amsterdam. Reason enough to ask three experts about the opportunities in both cities and the differences and similarities between Amsterdam and London.

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A passion for real estate

Fifteen years ago, Ramón Mossel started his own real estate agency in the Rivierenbuurt in Amsterdam-Zuid. Every day, he and his team at Ramón Mossel Makelaardij show their passion for…

Fifteen years ago, Ramón Mossel started his own real estate agency in the Rivierenbuurt in Amsterdam-Zuid. Every day, he and his team at Ramón Mossel Makelaardij show their passion for real estate, bringing supply and demand together.

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Total4Living: A touch of glamour

In April, interior design store Total4Living, located at Gelderlandplein, moved three doors to the left. Their new store is twice as big and boasts ten ambiance rooms where customers can…

In April, interior design store Total4Living, located at Gelderlandplein, moved three doors to the left. Their new store is twice as big and boasts ten ambiance rooms where customers can have a look around, get a cup of coffee and find inspiration for their home.

We enter Total4Living through the beautiful façade made of black steel and glass. All four interior designers, Ilona, Britte, Kevin and Hiske, are busy showing customers around. And they don’t hesitate to let them touch the beautiful curtains, furniture and new wallpapers. Opulent fabrics like velvet are currently en vogue and the new wallpapers have wonderful textures.

Total4Living

“Ever since we moved, we’ve had a lot more people walking into our store,” Ilona says later on when it is a bit quieter. “We’re now at ground level so it’s easy for them to come in and have a look. Compared to the old store we’ve now got double the floor space and twice as many brands on display.”

Ambiance rooms at Total4Living

“Everyone likes our ten fully-furnished ambiance rooms. Everything in those rooms is for sale:  the floors, tables, chairs, TV cabinets, rugs, carpets, curtains, blinds and shutters. All the rooms have been styled with trendy accessories. Also for sale, of course.”

‘In our store you’ll find everything you need to decorate and furnish your home’

“One thing stayed the same, however, and that is the service we offer: a complete interior design including lighting plan and 3D drawings, but also colour and styling advice, and everything you need to decorate and furnish your home. The steel window frames at the entrance and in the styling rooms are one of our trademarks. They’ve been a trend for many years; you’ll find these in houses built in the 1930s but also in hypermodern homes. Another trademark is our bespoke furniture: we can make all kinds of cabinets and closets to measure.”

 

Realistic dimensions

Total4Living“The ten ambiance rooms each have their own style that can be matched,” says Britte who’s joined us. “The rooms are 13 by 16 foot, just like in a normal house, so customers can imagine what it would look like in their home. The dimensions are realistic. We like it when people are just walking around, feeling at ease and trying a chair or sofa in one of these rooms. We welcome everyone who comes into our store, offer them a cup of coffee and then let them have a look. When someone picks up a piece, that doesn’t necessarily mean they actually want it so we let them relax and enjoy their coffee! In the meantime, we continue working at our large table in the kitchen and they’ll call us when they need help or more information.”

 

“In the old store, we more or less showed one overall picture; in this new one, you’ll see many different styles. The brands we sell are mainly Dutch, Scandinavian and Italian. One could say we’ve moved to the luxurious side or even gone a bit glamorous. However, that doesn’t mean we’ve become more expensive. Our strength is still creating a stylish image that’s very affordable and we try to achieve that by mixing expensive items with cheaper ones.”

 

Wallpaper is a big trend

Ilona: “The glamour aspect is reflected in the fine fabrics like velvet and rich materials for wall decoration, such as leather and textile. Going a bit over the top is allowed. We sell wallpaper designed by Dutch Wall Textile, made of velvet, suede and silk – exclusive fabrics that add a very special touch. People are a lot more daring these days: before, customers would only allow us to decorate one panel with an eye-catching piece of wallpaper, whereas now we’re doing entire walls. Wallpaper is another big trend at the moment.”

‘And with the Xavier apartment complex being under construction, some customers have involved us from scratch’

“After all the taupe and grey of the last couple of years, colours are back again! We use a lot of pink, aubergine and blue tones. Putting a few pillows with vibrant prints on a grey sofa gives it a new lease of life. Every month we get at least 50 different pillows delivered, so we’ve always got plenty of choice. We also notice that people are aware of the importance of light; buying not one lamp but a group of them has become a bit of a trend as well lately. The right lighting is crucial for a nice atmosphere in your home and a lamp can even double as a piece of art.”

 

The Zuidas as a ‘mini-Manhattan’

Total4LivingBritte: “Because our store at Gelderlandplein is just a stone’s throw away from the Zuidas, we’ve already had the opportunity to work on some great projects in complexes like the 900 Mahler, the Miles Building, Summertime and Intermezzo. And with the Xavier apartment complex being under construction, a few customers have involved us from scratch and that works extremely well. We sit down with them and make a floor plan and a customized lighting plan which they can then send to their builder in order to ensure that all the pipes and cables will be neatly concealed from view.”

“The Zuidas is becoming a mini-Manhattan, it’s really coming alive. When I cycle through this area in the morning, all the breakfast places are full. And it isn’t finished yet. Go and have a look at the scale model of the Zuidas in the WTC Building: you’ll see that another few thousand apartments are going to be built. So you’ll understand that our fingers are itching!”

 

Total4Living

Winkelcentrum Gelderlandplein
Willem van Weldammelaan 11
Amsterdam
http://www.total4living.nl

M 06 – 49 06 38 49

P free parking for 90 minutes right in front of the store (with parking disk)
E amsterdam@total4living.nl

 

Opening hours

Mon: 12:00 – 19:00 hours

Tue – Fri: 09:30 – 19:00 hours

Sat: 09.30 – 18:00 hours

Sun: 12:00 – 17:00 hours

 

 

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Risky Business: ‘We feel we’re achieving something special’

Ed Hartendorp is site superintendent at construction company Waal and since 2016, he and 90 colleagues have been working on the Xavier apartment complex that’s starting to take shape at…

Ed Hartendorp is site superintendent at construction company Waal and since 2016, he and
90 colleagues have been working on the Xavier apartment complex that’s starting to take
shape at Gustav Mahlerlaan. We join Ed for a day on his workplace and today that’s the 21st
floor. Up there, around 80 yards above ground level, we enjoy an impressive view of the
entire Zuidas.

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The Power of Relaxation

A mere 15-minute drive from all the concrete, glass and steel at the Zuidas lies a quiet haven at the Vinkeveense Plassen called ‘Zwier’, an inspiring 10-acre place where city-dwellers…

A mere 15-minute drive from all the concrete, glass and steel at the Zuidas lies a quiet haven at the Vinkeveense Plassen called ‘Zwier’, an inspiring 10-acre place where city-dwellers with a hectic life can unwind and recharge their batteries.

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Real estate agent Mossel: ‘Living on Zuidas is populair’

Ramón Mossel started his own real estate agency 15 years ago. He’s seen the Zuidas develop into a part of Amsterdam where living space is getting increasingly scarce. You’ve been…

Ramón Mossel started his own real estate agency 15 years ago. He’s seen the Zuidas develop into a part of Amsterdam where living space is getting increasingly scarce.

You’ve been a real estate agent for 15 years now. What has changed in all those years?

Amsterdam has become much more international due to the city promoting itself more and global companies opening offices here.

Has your role as a real estate agent changed well?

More and more often I find myself in meetings giving advice to project developers looking to build a new complex. That’s a very nice part of my job. I know exactly what people want and that makes me as a real estate agent interesting for different parties.

How would you describe the current housing market in Amsterdam?

There’s a serious housing shortage in Amsterdam. The city has a couple of very nice neighbourhoods with a strong identity and the city council is pretty good at urban renewal. It’s just a shame that there’s an acute shortage in all segments of the housing market. We need a change in policy!

Zuidas is a populair place to live

What position does the Zuidas have?

Makelaar Ramon Mossel

Ramón Mossel FOTO: Wesley Bergen Fotografie

The Zuidas gives this city an international look and has developed into a dynamic area with a high level of facilities and allure.

Who would like to live here?

Me! I’m moving here very soon. And I notice that young families want to stay in Amsterdam, including the Zuidas, instead of moving to a semi-detached house with a garden outside the city. They’re looking for a large energy-efficient apartment with panoramic views and a big balcony or terrace.

What is the appeal of the Zuidas?

The international feel and a fantastic geographical location. All the facilities you need are nearby and the terrific Gelderlandplein shopping mall is just around the corner.   

Prices of houses on Zuidas

What about the house prices in the Zuidas area?

Prices of 10,000 euros per square metre are not an exception. Only Amsterdam’s Oud-Zuid quarter is more expensive: 14,000 to 15,000 euros. So it’s only a small step towards the 20,000 euro mark, like Cor van Zadelhoff predicted in the previous edition of this magazine. Moreover, Brexit is going to be a reality very soon and the percentage of home ownership in Amsterdam will decrease even further.

There is also some social housing in this area. Is such a mix good for the Zuidas?

Around 60% of the housing stock in Amsterdam is social rental. The Zuidas is an area with ambitious developments and international aspirations. You could ask yourself if social housing is what we need here and whether there should be any new construction in Amsterdam at all. What the city needs are rental apartments in the middle segment.

It must be a wonderful time to work as a real estate agent.

It’s always been fun to be a real estate agent! At the moment I try to convince stakeholders in the market to think in concepts. The customer journey changes and it is important to adjust to their changing needs. Turn-key houses are the future. Internationally, this is already a proven concept.

How do you see the Zuidas in 10 years’ time?

I’m convinced that 10 years from now the Zuidas will be the prime residential and business area of this city. The Zuidas is a very welcome addition as it gives Amsterdam an international look. However, the city should show a bit more swagger and raise the bar a bit higher, for example by extending Zuidasdok with Zuid/WTC Station.

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