| Client | Cushman & Wakefield, Maaskantpark – Groot Handelsgebouw |
|---|---|
| Specialities | Company premises and outdoor spaces |
| Location | Rotterdam |
| Realised on | 2023 |
| Activities | Advice Design Construction Maintenance |
| Share | |
Sometimes, you stumble upon a dream project. Greening the Groot Handelsgebouw in Rotterdam is one such dream project. An official national monument, which we had the privilege to transform into a piece of unparalleled urban nature in close collaboration with owner Jamestown and manager Cushman & Wakefield.
Sometimes, you stumble upon a dream project. Greening the Groot Handelsgebouw in Rotterdam is one such dream project. An official national monument, which we had the privilege to transform into a piece of unparalleled urban nature in close collaboration with owner Jamestown and manager Cushman & Wakefield.
The Groot Handelsgebouw was built shortly after World War II to fill the void left by the bombing of Rotterdam. Architects Huig Maaskant and Willem van Tijen were tasked with making it the flagship of the city's reconstruction efforts. This building, where entrepreneurs could establish their warehouses, showrooms, and offices, boasts several unique features. To accommodate trucks loading and unloading their goods, a wide road spans three floors through the building: the basement, the ground floor, and the first floor. Today, trucks no longer drive through here; the building mainly houses offices, but also a fitness center, bicycle rental, a daycare center, and various catering establishments. Our task was to transform this elevated roadway into a city garden that makes this place even more unique and future-proof.
400 plant species in harmony with the building's rhythm
As a national monument, the Groot Handelsgebouw is protected. Any alterations must respect the spirit of the original design. To fully honor the building, we first delved into the ideas of Maaskant and Van Tijen. Not only is the planting in harmony, but the dimensions of the planters and borders also adhere to the building's rhythm. As mentioned, we used over 400 different plant species, ensuring there's something to enjoy 365 days a year. And indeed, people flock here in masses. Blooming Buildings' urban gardens are spaces for use, and that's how we design them. In addition to a petanque court, we've installed various tables, which are eagerly utilized. Thus, the garden of the Groot Handelsgebouw becomes not only a pleasant place to stroll but also to work and even hold meetings. "It feels like Christmas every day," describes one of the tenants the sensation of walking through here and seeing something different every time. Moreover, all this nature contributes to more oxygen in the air, more cooling in summer, and less waterlogging during heavy rain. That's why it has such a great appeal to tenants. Because what company wouldn't want to be here?*Maaskantpark is now open to the public! Enter via the entrance on Conradstraat and experience this green urban oasis just a stone's throw from Rotterdam Central Station. Visit https://ghg.nl/maaskantpark/ for more information, opening hours, and event calendar.
