For the large-scale shopping and business center De Herven, dating from 1979, there was a threat of emptying out and impoverishment, including through screaming facade advertising. A redevelopment plan was implemented in 2003 to reverse this negative spiral. With important but relatively simple interventions, such as a uniform facade layout and advertising to be conducted according to fixed rules, as well as a generous continuous and cantilevered awning of 13 meters, a high-quality and pleasant residential area has again been created. The immediate surroundings, the walking area and the parking lot, have also been redesigned and constructed.
| Architects | Fons Verheijen |
| Client(s) | Rodamco Europe |
Next to the highway A2 near the centre of Utrecht a spectacular large scale shopping and leisure centre has been realised. The 800 meter long “Ferrari red” complex acts as a noise barrier to the new residential area of Leidsche Rijn. The fluent design of slowly undulating lines is inspired by the perspective of the driver passing the complex in 32 seconds, driving at a speed of 100 km/hour. The fluent lines create an illusion of movement. This building, having a surface area of approx. 65,000m2, houses many retail businesses, a high-quality DIY store, a catering business (fast-food restaurant) and leisure facilities (discotheque, sports or multi-purpose hall). On the roof is a 1400 spaces large car park. The building together with the ‘Cockpitgebouw’ at the Wetering Noord area, designed by the architect Kas Oosterhuis, are the showpiece of the city of Utrecht.
New hotel formula in Hoofddorp
In 2016, we conducted a study on behalf of CTI (Control Towers International) into the possibilities of accommodating a hotel in an existing office building in Hoofddorp. The detached office building with parking garage at the Kruisweg 106 is part of the business park "de Hoek" in Hoofddorp. The building is a stone's throw from Schiphol and Amsterdam and is easily accessible by car and public transport.
We then made the design for the transformation into a hotel with 133 rooms and various facilities, such as a restaurant, bar and lounge.
Based on the study and design, the zoning plan has been adjusted in consultation with the municipality and an interested market party has been contracted: Centro Hotels from Germany. The design was then fully tailored to Centro's wishes. A completely new, trendy hotel formula for the Netherlands will be introduced in the building; the "Ninetynine-hotel Amsterdam", specifically aimed at the younger target group. Vitamin-E has provided the interior design of the Ninetynine formula on behalf of Centro. The new hotel will be a good addition to the current offer in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer.
The demolition work was carried out in 2017, and in November 2018 the transformation of the existing office building into a hotel started.
On the east side of Enschedé, on the outskirts of the city center lies the Miro shopping centre. The former mall has gradually been replaced by new buildings and was worn out. The new building has a curved façade and a large canopy. It embraces the public space and the high-quality parking facility. The shopping facade ends on the east side in a shopping arcade, which contains a large supermarket. On the west side the arcade accumulates into a two storey development. Together with public buildings on the other side of the road the building forms a port that marks the transition from the green suburban neighbourhood to the city itself. The complex includes a green roof that connects on the east end to an ecological zone for butterflies and bats.
Cruquius Plaza, near Hoofddorp, municipality of Haarlemmermeer is the result of a competition that was organized in 1999 on behalf of the municipality of Haarlemmermeer to boost shopping in Cruquius. The competition was won by ING Vastgoed and VVKH. The existing residential boulevard has been completely renovated and adapted to the requirements of today. In addition, 30,000 m2 of retail space and 25,000 m2 of industrial space have been added. A flexible building, particularly with regard to the shops, and a water feature with a square at the shop entrances have been realized at the location. The cantilevered awning offers provides shelter for a pleasant shopping climate. The supply takes place from two expedition entrances on the company side. Via the internally located expedition corridors on the ground floor and first floor, the shops can be supplied freely from the shoppers. The 30-meter-high Cruquius Tower, the luminous center of the square, is a clear landmark of the residential boulevard.
