Rotterdam Alderwoman Chantal Zeegers welcomed guests at the official opening event.
Coolse Poort, the former office building transformed into a mixed-use property, has now officially opened. At the end of last week, Aroundtown celebrated the revitalisation of Coolse Poort in Rotterdam together with tenants, partners and guests at an opening event. The former office building on Coolsingel has been redeveloped into a modern mixed-use destination combining offices, serviced apartments, fitness facilities and food & beverage offerings. Coolse Poort is therefore a prime example of Aroundtown’s strategy of future-proofing existing properties over the long term through new use concepts.
In his opening speech, Alon Levy, CEO of Aroundtown Netherlands, said: “What I'm most proud of is that this project reflects who we are as investors. We don't simply buy or renovate properties. We look carefully for the ones with the right location and the right fundamentals, so we can add value, not only for our investors, but for our tenants and the cities we operate in.”
In her welcome address, Rotterdam Alderwoman Chantal Zeegers said: “I have always greatly appreciated the decision to retain the building, renovate it and make it more sustainable. Thanks to the measures you have implemented, the building has regained a tremendous amount of quality.”
At the heart of the successful repositioning is a diverse mix of uses. A key component of this mixed-use concept is the 240 serviced apartments, which help bring activity to the building beyond traditional office hours. Tenants were secured at an early stage of the project, and around 22,400 sqm at Coolse Poort has already been leased.
Sander van Holland, Head of Asset and Property Management of Aroundtown Netherlands, thanked all those involved in the project in his opening speech and wished the tenants every success: “A building is much more than stone, glass, and technology. It's about the people who work here, the companies that choose to establish themselves here, and the connections and opportunities that will emerge within these walls.”
With its prominent location at the intersection of Blaak and Coolsingel and its distinctive reddish façade, Coolse Poort is a landmark building in central Rotterdam. As part of the revitalisation, not only the tenant spaces but also the shared areas were upgraded, including the entrance areas, meeting spaces, rooftop terraces and a new Sky Lounge.
The building’s technical performance and energy efficiency have also been significantly improved. Measures include heat pumps, modern ventilation systems, LED lighting and electric boilers. Coolse Poort is expected to achieve a BREEAM “Excellent” rating as well as Paris Proof WEii certification later this year.
Commenting on the certifications being pursued, Chantal Zeegers said: “I am delighted that, thanks to this consistently sustainable approach, we have been able to add such an impressive new landmark to Rotterdam’s city centre. I also understand that BREEAM certification is being pursued for the building. I am very pleased about that, as I believe this is particularly important with a view to the future.”
The project demonstrates how a former single-use building can be successfully transformed into a diverse, service-oriented mixed-use destination.
