Rotterdam continues to build homes at a rapid pace

Rotterdam continues to build homes at a rapid pace

Bryan van Putten city news
Looking to move to a new home in the coming years? Technically, that should not be a problem. There's a building boom in Rotterdam as new projects add thousands of new homes to the city. 
 

Building record 

The environmental permits for around 1,300 new homes have recently become irrevocable. This means that the construction of the Zalmhaven tower and the transformation of the Europoint towers can continue. Both projects will add many new homes. Rotterdam broke a building record in 2017 with the construction of 3764 new homes. It is expected that 2018 will be an even bigger year for the housing market. 
 
Projects already started in 2018:
  • Hof van Heij (48 homes in Heijplaat)
  • Zuiderhof (73 homes at the former Zuiderziekenhuis)
  • (Transformation of) watertorenweg (47 homes in De Esch)

Projects starting later in 2018:
  • De Cooltower (267 houses in the Baankwartier)
  • Little-C (320 homes next to the Coolhaven)
  • (Transformation of the) Europoint Torens (840 homes at Marconiplein)
  • Zalmhaventoren (482 homes in the Scheepvaartkwartier)
 
Rotterdam's building boom is the result of the Woonvisie 2030 plan. Part of the city's "housing vision" entails that wherever possible, vacant offices and shops will be converted into homes. Judging by the speed with which new construction projects are moving, it is quite possible that close to 50,000 new homes will be added by 2030.
Rotterdam air quality cleaner and healthier

Rotterdam air quality cleaner and healthier

Bryan van Putten city news
The air in Rotterdam is cleaner and healthier than three years ago. A package of measures being taken (in 2015-2018) to improve Rotterdam's air quality is having positive results. 

A few years ago, the air quality in Rotterdam was worse than in many other Dutch cities and areas. That is why the municipality, in 2015, together with residents and companies, drew up a package of measures. The package of measures had to result in 40% less soot (EC) emissions due to traffic in 2018 and a faster decrease in NO2 concentration. In addition, the municipality cleaned up its own fleet by 25%.

Solid measures, healthy results

Measurements and calculations by TNO and DCMR show that the emission of soot by traffic was already reduced by 36% in the middle of 2017. This is entirely in line with expectations and means that the 40% decrease in soot will be achieved in 2018.

The measures also ensure a faster reduction of harmful emissions from traffic. 16% less NOx was emitted by traffic. The decrease is mainly the result of the successful scrapping scheme and the banning of diesel cars from before 2001 and petrol cars from before 1992. In addition, more charging points for electric vehicles, clean city logistics and cleaner fuels for trucks, buses and shipping have been deployed.

To improve the flow of traffic in the city, the Rotterdam Mobility Agenda (RMA) was adopted in 2016. Visitors to the city centre are stimulated to park their cars at the P&R locations on the outskirts of the city. The public transport network has been expanded with, among other things, the night metro. The flow of the bicycle at busy intersections has improved and the number of bicycle parking places has increased.

A healthy clean future

The evaluation shows that the measures put in place do their work. The air in Rotterdam has become cleaner and healthier. This change is greater and achieved earlier than would have been the case without the measures in the Air Quality Note. Continuing the measures is necessary to improve air quality even further in the coming years.
The FORUM Rotterdam project has officially been launched

The FORUM Rotterdam project has officially been launched

Bryan van Putten city news

Construction on FORUM Rotterdam will soon be underway. The massive redevelopment project was officially launched on Thursday, November 23rd, 2017. FORUM Rotterdam will comprise 64,000 square meters of space for stores, cafe's & restaurants, business units and 103 apartments.The project is expected to be finished in 2019. 

 

Part of the project is the renovation of the old ABN AMRO office. This old building is actually a  national monument. The ABN AMRO bank itself will also move back into its former home. Surely, one of the most anticipated future tenants of FORUM Rotterdam is Irish fashion retailer PRIMARK.

Another welcome addition to the block is Five Guys, an international burgers & fries chain. Bookstore Donner will remain open for most of the renovations while gradually moving into a brand new home in the building which will see it become the largest bookstore in the Netherlands. 

FORUM Rotterdam via OMAFORUM Rotterdam via OMA

The 103 apartments will vary in size, ranging from 85m2 to 120m2. Renting parking space in a nearby garage will be optional. It is expected that the homes will be ready in the third quarter of 2019. 

 

Starbucks is coming to Hofplein

Starbucks is coming to Hofplein

Bryan van Putten city news

The office building at Hofplein 19 is currently being renovated. When complete, the building will house various large businesses and it will also be the home of a brand new Starbucks. 

Currently, there are two, or actually three Starbucks locations in the city. One is inside of Rotterdam Centraal railway station and accessible to all. The other is also inside Rotterdam Centraal but only accessible to travellers as you need to enter beyond the check-in gates and into the tunnel. The third Starbucks is on the grounds of Erasmus University. It is our hope that the new Starbucks at Hofplein will be larger and able to accommodate more people. Starbucks Hofplein is set to open by mid-2018.  

 Hofplein 19Hofplein 19

Hofplein 19 renovations

Hofplein 19, an iconic building in its own right, was built in 1960 as an office for Shell. The building was designed by architect C.A. Abspoel. Later, in the seventies, the concrete Shell-tower was added. The blue glass facade was added in the 80's and is now being replaced with transparent glass, so it retains the old look of the sixties. The Shell station below the building is also being renovated and should be open for business in the spring of 2018.  

Maastunnel closed until 2019

Maastunnel closed until 2019

Bryan van Putten city news

As of July 3rd, 2017, the Maastunnel is closed for renovations. The closure only affects traffic moving from North to South. It is estimated that the renovations will take around two years to complete. 

In the meantime, drivers can take alternative routes or consider different forms of transportation. The tunnel remains open for bicycles and pedestrians. The pedestrian section is also slated for renovation, starting in 2019. 

The temporary shutdown of the Maastunnel is inconvenient, but it shouldn't come as a surprise. Did you know the tunnel is 75 years old? It was built and completed during World War II (1937-1942). In fact, at the time of its official opening on February 14th, 1942, Rotterdam was under Nazi occupation. That also makes it the oldest submerged car tunnel in the Netherlands. It's about time the experts took a look at it and made sure it's going to be the in tip-top shape for another 75 years.  

For more information on the renovations, check out www.maastunnel.nl (in Dutch). 

 

 

 

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