Gare du Nord, Amsterdam:

In the Stations area of the new Centrumgebied Amsterdam-Noord, Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling is building the Gare du Nord project. "On plot '1N2' and commissioned by development combination CZAN (Blauwhoed and AM), we are realizing a volume with five building sections," explains project manager Jacob Dekker. "The two apartment parts - including the tower - have been purchased by Altera Vastgoed and provide space for 184 luxury apartments. In addition, two hotels with 100 and 200 rooms, respectively, will be built for Hotel Noord Holding. Commissioned by housing foundation De Key, we are also realizing 177 student apartments. Beneath the building will be a two-story and semi-underground parking garage with 140 spaces."

Heddes Construction & Development was awarded the project in the DO phase. "We developed the aesthetic design by Klunder Architects in-house into specifications and construction drawings. Both structurally and installation-wise and in close consultation with the various users," says Dekker. "During this period we also inventoried the project risks and involved the partners, bringing this project to a beautiful and successful conclusion."

Realization against and above an existing bus station

Construction work started in March 2019. "What's special is that the project is being built against an existing bus station, which is about 3 meters higher than lot 1N2," says Dekker. "Around the bus station there is a sheet pile wall. However, this sheet piling did not have the desired length and strength. Therefore, we adjusted our working method and added an additional sheet pile wall so that the bus station could not subside due to pile driving or earthwork. An additional challenge involved the student apartments from the fourth floor up, which cantilever six meters above the bus station and for which additional shoring structures and struts were added." For the foundation, over 650 HEK combi piles were drilled into the ground and fitted with a hexagonal precast concrete core. "Then the pipes were pulled, filling the gaps with a grout mixture. We also poured a 2,000 m³ concrete slab (approx. 25x40x2 meters lxwxd) in one day, so that the settlements of the tower are even."

Special dynamics

Because of the different levels and bay sizes, a traditional method of working with in-situ concrete walls and wide slab floors was chosen. "The facades are filled with facade closing elements in which the window frames are already integrated," said Dekker. "This allowed us to start the masonry and finishing work even before the facade was fully closed." The entire exterior will have masonry, combined with natural stone (plinth). "A total of five types of masonry bricks in various dressings and colors were chosen, which are applied per section from lifting scaffolds, creating a special dynamic."

'As a result of a large cantilever, the building becomes larger than the plot'

Building on a postage stamp

Gare du Nord involves a "mixed-use project on an extremely small site. Due to a large cantilever, the building becomes even larger than the plot. Space for a construction shed, material storage and equipment was lacking. "Already in the preliminary phase, we sought solutions in close cooperation with the City of Amsterdam to ensure efficient and safe construction," said Dekker. "We were allowed to use part of the bus station as a construction site. Moreover, we have been given two additional platforms at our disposal. On the Termini side, part of the street has been cordoned off, and on Elzenhagensingel, we asphalted the median strip so that a construction site could be set up here as well. In addition, a logistician and, if necessary, a hub in the port area are being used so that all trucks can supply the various construction parts just-in-time and just-in-place."

By now, two-thirds of the construction has been completed. Before Christmas 2021, Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling plans to deliver the hotel and all the rental apartments. The student housing will follow shortly thereafter.