At the invitation of Dutch Women in Real Estate
All Riva estate agents are women! Most of our other staff members are women too. Yet real estate is still widely seen as a male-dominated industry. Dutch Women in Real Estate (DWIRE) aims to raise the profile of female real estate professionals and bring them together.
Could you use our expertise too?
Our experience with expats
Riva is the market leader in Rotterdam in expat and student housing. For more than ten years we have mainly let properties to international professionals and students who move to the Netherlands temporarily. We also advise investors on buying properties to let. Naturally, our estate agency department also handles sales and purchases. In that capacity, we are pleased to contribute to the Dutch Women in Real Estate -organised webinar: Rotterdam in transition.
On 3 July, the online event will focus on the Rotterdam Central District (RCD). Kees van Oorschot (RCD process manager at the City Development Department of Rotterdam City Council) will discuss developments in the area. Claudia Heimensen (property developer at Provast and DWIRE member) will discuss the latest addition to the district: the sustainable Tree House project.
Expats are an important target group for developments in Rotterdam, including the internationally oriented Rotterdam Central District. Priscilla Smit (Operations Manager at Riva Rentals and Riva Makelaars) will explain how property developers such as Provast and investors can attract and retain expats.
Rotterdam Central District
Although Rotterdam Central District is dominated by office buildings occupied by well-known multinationals such as Unilever, Shell and Coolblue, it also has residential apartment buildings. Riva manages and lets several properties in the area, including in Weena.
The arrival of Tree House will add 275 homes to the district. Tree House draws inspiration from the ecosystem of a tree. The building acts as a carbon store and is pioneering in its use of timber, rainwater harvesting and energy innovations. Its abundant greenery supports biodiversity and reduces heat stress. Tree House also collects rainwater flowing from the roof of the Rotterdam Central Station concourse during heavy downpours.
Tree House covers 41,000 m² and comprises around 90 owner-occupied and 185 rental apartments, 30% of which are in the mid-market rental segment. The approximately 15,000 m² office space, including co-working operator TQ, is aimed at innovative technology businesses.
Rotterdam’s innovation and cultural platform De Dépendance will give Tree House a major attraction, with a programme addressing issues of social relevance. Rotterdam hospitality businesses at street level will bring vitality to the city centre, catering in part to the needs of Rotterdam Central Station’s many passengers. Tree House will take Rotterdam Central District another step towards a more diverse and vibrant neighbourhood. Construction is expected to start in 2021, with completion scheduled for 2024.
The Tree House design was developed under the direction of Provast, PLP Architecture with co-architect ZUS, Royal HaskoningDHV, BRAND The Urban Agency and Groos.
Further plans for the district
There are many exciting and promising developments in the district. Alongside Tree House, major changes are planned for Kruisplein and Schiekadeblok. The Modernist was designed by MVRDV. The mixed-use residential and commercial complex will stand opposite Central Station and the Groot Handelsgebouw. Construction has already begun, and completion is planned for the first quarter of 2024.
The ambition for Schiekadeblok is to build on the district’s existing identity while creating more space for living and working near Central Station. The selected urban design proposes a roughly 70-metre residential tower on Delftseplein, an office and residential tower of up to 200 metres on Schiekade, and premium office space along the railway. The taller tower will connect to the Schieblock building, part of which will be retained. Buildings with cultural-historical value along Delftsestraat will also be preserved. A hotel will be built on top of these buildings, with a concept reflecting the raw character of Schiekadeblok. A green courtyard will be created at the heart of the district, and the Luchtsingel pedestrian bridge will have a successor.
The Modernist is an initiative of Maarsen Groep and was designed by Rotterdam-based MVRDV
Join the webinar
There is plenty to discuss during the webinar. Attendance is generally reserved for DWIRE members. Members may invite a guest. Women who are considering joining DWIRE are also welcome to attend the event to see whether membership would be valuable to them.