New headquarters and distribution center for pizza giant in Benelux

Since mid-June this year, the headquarters of Domino's Pizza Benelux has been located in Nieuwegein. From business park 't Klooster, Domino's supports and supplies some four hundred branches in the Netherlands and Belgium. The production and delivery of the homemade pizza dough also takes place at this headquarters.

Text | Patricia van der Beek    Image | Pulles & Pulles Advertising and Image

"With 12,000 square meters, our new accommodation is three times the size of our old premises in Gorinchem," says Domino's PR manager Marianne Kemps. "This was also necessary because we had grown quite out of our space. In Nieuwegein, we have space for now and later. Moreover, everything is under one roof: office, dough production and logistics. In addition, we are right by the highway and central to the franchisees." Domino's selected COFFR to develop the new building. Willy Naessens Netherlands was awarded the construction contract.

Development and management

"This property is a great addition to our portfolio," said COFFR CEO Stefan van den Brink. "As a real estate investment and development platform in the Netherlands and Germany, we have traditionally realized locations in light industry and logistics. For example, we also developed the former Domino's property in Gorinchem." COFFR transferred the Domino's property to the ABN AMRO MeesPierson Real Estate Growth Fund, which acquired the property as an end investor. The property management remains in the hands of COFFR.

Functional with attention to aesthetics

The design of the new building, from Centrum Architecten, is tailored to Domino's requirements. Features include the extensive office of no less than four thousand square meters and specific areas for cooling, freezing and storage. The hall also contains a crate washing area and a production area for making the pizza dough. Van den Brink: "The hall was designed functionally, but the architect also paid attention to aesthetics. This is especially true of the office, with its sleek curtain wall and white gable bands. The appearance in the office was also well thought out." Kemps confirms, "Inside, a nice working environment has been created, with lots of light and open spaces. What makes us very happy is that the restaurant and test kitchen - the so-called love lab - are now located in the heart of the building."

Even in the office, the look has been well thought out.

Constructed of precast concrete

Project management of the hall was in the hands of Groenewout Consultancy. Domino's Pizza supervised the execution of the office. Willy Naessens Netherlands built both building parts. "This work is right up our alley," says project manager Edwin van Boxtel of Willy Naessens Nederland. "We specialize in building with precast concrete and have erected more than 8,500 buildings of various sizes. Logistics centers are a big part of this in the Netherlands. The Domino's building is completely underpinned and built with concrete columns and trusses. The first floor is 1.20 meters above ground level. We also used lightweight floors and TT beams for the roof. We made the facade wind and watertight with sandwich panels and the curtain wall." With its accumulating capacity, the concrete contributes to the sustainability of the building, which has energy label A. Other sustainable applications include solar panels, heat recovery and an energy-saving cooling method for the dough.

Proud

"Tight planning was very important on this job," Van Boxtel continues. "In mid-June this year, Domino's had to move to the new premises, which was quite a challenge due to extra work during the construction process. The cold store and the production part for making the dough had to be up and running even earlier. That was the main focus. By mutual agreement, we delivered first the hall and then, in parts, the office. We look back on a pleasant cooperation with COFFR, Domino's, Groenewout and all the other parties involved." Van den Brink and Kemps agree. "Most importantly, we can now support our branches even better," Kemps adds. "We are very proud to be able to facilitate that from this fine location."

Construction Info

Development COFFR B.V., Amsterdam
Contractor Willy Naessens Netherlands, Nieuwkuijk
Tenant Domino's Pizza Benelux, Nieuwegein