VORM receives building permit and returns to Rotterdam

Realization of VORM office 'the New Maaskant' gets underway

The Municipality of Rotterdam this week granted the building permit to VORM Ontwikkeling B.V. to realize the renovation of the monumental office 'De Nieuwe Maaskant'. VORM Transformation and Renovation B.V. will start construction in early 2020. The new office is expected to be festively opened after the 2020 construction period.

Rotterdam; back to the roots
VORM's head office has been located in Papendrecht since the 1960s. Due to the growth that the organization has experienced in recent years, the office is becoming too small. Expansion at the current location proved impossible, after which it was decided to look for a suitable location or building in Rotterdam. That is the city where Daan van der Vorm's grandfather started his construction company a century ago. 'We wanted a building that really suits us,' says Hans Meurs. 'Preferably not completely finished, so that we could still put our own stamp on it. No new construction, because there is already enough vacancy. We are going for sustainable. Then you automatically end up with an existing building.' And then, unexpectedly, Maaskant's gatehouse suddenly came along. This was right the first time. Daan van der Vorm confirms. 'We can realize our ambitions much better from the new building. We are recognized as a Rotterdam company: positive, no nonsense, clear. We are not chatty, but we do like to communicate clearly. They had to get used to that in Amsterdam, but now it is appreciated, because people know: what we say, we make true.'

Renovation
The existing building will be returned to its original state as much as possible. This means that corridors and halls that have been cobbled into it over time will be torn down to create a large, open space. A contemporary office, focused efficiency and job satisfaction, where the various functions are designed in harmony with each other. That means: separate places for concentration, meeting or relaxation with the right transitions between the different dynamics. A big job. To keep the momentum going, the entire expansion of the building will be built elsewhere, parallel to the renovation of the building. Then the two will be joined together. This will be a spectacle, as the new "glass box" will be brought in by water and lifted onto the roof with a large crane.

Ready for the future
Recently said Hans Meurs, general manager of VORM: "Our new office will be transformed by our specialists for optimal in-house use. We cherish the building and its function in the redevelopment and monitor that the monumental value of the structure is not affected." With this redevelopment, we proudly return to our roots in Rotterdam. Ready for the future.