Integrally realized residential tower brings densification Alexander up to speed

Residential tower the Grote Beer will provide the first of 8,000 desired new homes in Rotterdam's Alexandrium node. In April 2021, right next to Alexandrium shopping center, construction began on 193 sustainable rental homes for middle-income earners, with a 21-story stepped building. "This development contributes to a lively heart of Alexander, with residential and retail functions in a sustainable environment," says Deputy Director of Construction Raymond de Boer of Dura Vermeer Bouw Zuid West. Completion is scheduled for early 2024.

Dura Vermeer itself brought the proposal for this plan to the Municipality of Rotterdam. The builder and developer held out the prospect of an early start of construction and Vesteda came forward at an early stage as landlord of the apartments. These parties worked closely together to take the building plan from initial sketch to final plan in about a year. The area around Rotterdam Alexander public transport hub now consists only of offices and stores.

Apartment complex the Great Bear is being built on a vacant lot on the corner of the Great Bear and Main Road. 85 percent of the apartments will be middle-rent, priced from about 750 to 1,050 euros per month. The tower will contain two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments from 57 to 83 sq. m., virtually energy-neutral and completely gas-free (district heating supported by WTW and solar panels). The building will be 68 meters high, the roof will feature a green roof garden and on the first floor there will be space for commercial functions.

Prefab development and construction

The building designed by Klunder Architects will be integrally developed and built. That it can be realized so quickly, without a building site, is possible because of the "prefab-all-the-way" construction technique: facades, structural walls, floors, bathrooms and toilet rooms are delivered and assembled prefabricated by Home-Blocks. De Boer: "The prestressed floor floors are produced at Bestcon, which guarantees a fast construction time. The prefabricated bathrooms are lifted in prior to the installation of the next floor. Foam concrete is applied including installation facilities."

Byldis is taking on the production of the facade. Says project manager John Tangel, "The concrete facade element is completely finished before it is assembled, including cast-in stone strips, aluminum flashing and window frames." In addition to wind- and waterproof façade elements, Byldis will manufacture and assemble individual components for the building (including balcony elements from Bestcon and aluminum curtain walls from Byldis Facades). Environmental management is an important factor in addition to construction speed. "The substructure was poured on site, on a foundation with 270 piles formed in the ground that were installed vibration-free."

Multiple use of space

"Good arrangements have been made with Klépierre, owner of Alexandrium shopping center, to guarantee the safety of shoppers," continued De Boer. Logistically, construction at a location without a construction site is challenging. "We have one service road at our disposal, which is used multiple times. Construction traffic passes under the tower crane, and supply is done using a ticketing system from Ilips. In addition to being efficient, this is also sustainable, as transport movements are kept to a minimum. We also use a hub for material storage, the Urban Miner in 's-Gravendeel. Clearly, an integration of design, engineering and execution is necessary to bring such a project to fruition successfully."