Kroonenberg Groep has reached agreement with NEW YORKER for a long-term lease agreement for a store located at Nieuwendijk 154-160 in Amsterdam.

NEW YORKER already has a branch on the Nieuwendijk shopping street in a retail space of approximately 2,200 m². For the new store the downstairs retail space has been added to the existing space to create a new store of approximately 4,220 m² divided between the ground and first floors. The downstairs store was being temporarily leased to the De KOOPman fashion store and before that to H&M.

NEW YORKER is creating a new flagship store at this location. With more than 1,150 stores in 47 countries and over 21,000 employees, NEW YORKER is one of the largest international fashion brands. ‘Dress for the moment’ is more than just a slogan for the company.

The space which is going to be used for the expansion was made available to New Yorker at the end of November and now has to be prepared, so that it can be added to the existing retail space. Once that work has been done, that space will be opened to the public in mid-March. The current entrance on the existing escalators will be removed after that. This work will have been completed by mid-May, after which New Yorker will open the entire store to the public.

Kroonenberg Groep has reached agreement with V.F. (J) Netherlands Services B.V. for a long-term lease for a branch of Vans at Kalverstraat 134 in Amsterdam. The leased property consists of a retail space of approx. 325 m², divided between the ground floor and mezzanine. Kroonenberg Groep recently carried out a thorough refurbishment of the premises based on a design by Winhov architects. This involved the restoration of the façade and the addition of 2 dwellings on the 1^st floor.

Vans was established in 1966 and quickly became a popular brand among skaters in California. After that Vans sneakers became the footwear of choice for skaters throughout the United States and, not long after that, their popularity increased among the ‘ordinary’ public and the rest of the world. The Vans collection consists of various models which return each year and an ever-changing seasonal collection. The lease started on 1 June 2022 and the store will soon be opening its doors to the public.

Kroonenberg Groep received leasing advice in this instance from Kroese Paternotte. Vans was advised by CBRE.

The Barones first opened its doors on 11 September 1997. This coming Sunday it will be exactly 25 years ago, so this calls for a celebration. Dutch tradition dictates that anyone who is celebrating their birthday has to provide treats and the Barones is going to do so in the form of delicious macaroons, healthy smoothies and attractive drinks bottles. Another even more special treat is that every hour one customer will stand the chance of winning back €250.00 of the money they have spent. People’s shopping experience is also going to be enhanced by the presence of a live DJ who will be entertaining shoppers in the Barones on Sunday.

The opening of the Barones in 1997 created a new connection in the city centre of Breda between two important shopping streets, an existing car park and a secondary access road. The building’s design was characterised by two pedestrians circuits, one on the ground floor and the main route on the upper floor. Incoming light in the fully covered shopping centre was filtered by a ceiling of skylights. At the time, the new Barones helped significantly in reinforcing the regional function of the entire range of shops in Breda. It was also an award-winning design, because in 1998 the Barones was declared the best shopping centre in the Netherlands by the Dutch Council of Shopping Centers [Nederlandse Raad Winkelcentra] (NRW).

In order to maintain the strong market position in a changed and changing retail market and in order to adapt to new consumer behaviour, the decision was taken in 2014 to transform the largely two-storey shopping centre into an arcade of stores with predominantly two storeys. The characteristic terracotta entrance with its knotted trellis on the Lange Brugstraat was replaced by a recessed glass entrance on an inviting square in line with the streetscape which is dominated mainly by calm light colours. Inside the gallery and bridges on the first floor were removed, as were the escalators/stairs in the hallway. This made the interior light and more spacious and made it possible for the retail spaces to be enlarged. The high-quality façades give the interior a certain grandeur, with the real eye-catcher being the special glass dome at the entrance to The Sting. The transformation was completed in 2017 and the Barones was ceremoniously reopened exactly 20 years after it had first opened its doors to the public. The Barones is home to an attractive mix of brands, with fashion stores such as The Sting, Pull&Bear, Bershka, Sissy Boy and Only, chains such as Etos, Xenos and T-Mobile and local businesses like Tierelantijn and Koffie bij Teun.

The restored Chilean mural called ‘Chile Vencerá’ (‘Chili will overcome’) has been unveiled at Osdorpplein in the presence of the Chilean ambassador Jaime Moscoso, member of the executive committee of the Amsterdam Nieuw-West Borough Council Nazmi Türkkol, artists Jorge Kata Núňez and Juan Heinsohn and developer MRP. The mural was discovered in 2018 after demolition work and has now, after 41 years, been restored. The mural appears to have been created in 1981 by Jorge Kata Núňez and the Chilean artists’ collective ‘Brigada Ramona Parra’. The restoration of the mural was initiated and organised by MRP with support from Kroonenberg Groep and the municipality of Amsterdam.

– From left to right: Jaime Moscoso (Chilean ambassador), Jorge Kata Núñez, Guillermo Fernández (Consul General of Chile), Fridjof van den Berg, Annemieke Witteveen (MRP) and Nazmi Türkkol (Municipality of Amsterdam)

Chile Vencerá mural unveiled

The ‘Chile Vencerá’ mural, which is 20 metres long and 3.40 metres high, was discovered in 2018 during preparatory building work for the new-build project known as ‘The Hub’ (93 homes, the new Municipal Office and Borough Council Office and a commercial plinth). The mural was created by the Chilean artists’ collective known as ‘Brigada Ramona Parra’, whose members expressed their ideologies for, among other things, democracy and equal rights, through murals. The significance of the colourful work of art is more topical than ever before in our current turbulent world where democracy and freedom of expression can no longer be taken for granted.

Art and culture connects and in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, where so many cultures coexist, this mural at Osdorpplein adds an extra dimension. So it is great that MRP, the Kroonenberg Groep and the Municipality of Amsterdam have contributed to the restoration and preservation of the Chile Vencerá mural so that its significance can be transferred to future generations.’

Art & Culture in Amsterdam Nieuw-West

Jorge Kata Núñez himself confirmed that he created the mural when he happened to be in the Netherlands in 2018. It is very special that it has been preserved and has now been restored. Artists Jorge Kata Núñez and Juan Heinsohn carried out the restoration of the mural in July. It is situated in a courtyard of the new Borough Council Office as part of the new-build project at Osdorpplein known as ‘The Hub’. Once the whole project has been completed the mural will be visible from the public space through transparent doors.

As member of the executive committee of the Amsterdam Nieuw-West Borough Council Nazmi Türkkol explains, “Osdorpplein square is an important meeting place for people young and old and requires a broad mix of functions. Facilities relating to art and culture are important in this respect, such as the future Verhalenhuis art and cultural centre and various works of art which have been, or are going to be, installed near Osdorpplein. The historic mural is being given a new chance to be viewed by everyone. It is a colourful and meaningful work of art on display at Osdorpplein and is going to become part of the art trail. “

Kroonenberg Groep has reached an agreement with KIK for a long-term lease in the Hoogvliet shopping centre in Rotterdam. The leased property offers approximately 685 m² of retail space and the lease came into effect at the start of September. The existing stores at Binnenban 93 – 97 are to be combined in order to create this store. Kik is going to open its doors at the end of October. Kik sells fashion for the entire family and also offers a wide range of household articles and home decorations.

Binnenban 58B-60 is being leased to Swietarts. SwietArts is a unique gift shop that sells brands like Candle, Woodwick and Blond Amsterdam. The leased property consists of a retail space of approx. 438 m², divided between the ground floor and basement. Swietarts opened its doors at the end of August.

Since 1 September Broadrunners has been leasing the store located at Middenbaan Noord 126. Broadrunners provides delicious sandwiches, salads, pizzas and pastas for delivery and takeout. The leased property consists of a retail space of approx. 112 m², divided between the ground floor and basement.

Kroonenberg Groep recently concluded new leases with two existing businesses in Hoogvliet. For example, Hunkemöller extended its contract for several years and Phone House also extended its contract and relocated within the centre to a store on the central square.

Hoogvliet shopping centre is celebrating its 60th anniversary this month and that is going to be marked by fun promotions and activities for shoppers.

Kroonenberg Groep is advised by BRIQ real estate regarding the leasing of properties in the Hoogvliet shopping centre.

Amsterdam boasts a new landmark. On Monday 12 December the opening of an architecturally daring apartment complex took place in the garden city styled neighbourhood of Buitenveldert. It has been carefully embedded into the urban environment and is known as: Q Residences. This complex, which covers an area of 27,600 m2 and includes 248 rental apartments, consists of a plaza and two residential buildings, namely the medium-high Qube building and the high-rise and flamboyant Quartz building. Of the 248 homes 99 have been constructed for the mid-segment. For this project on the corner of the Buitenveldertselaan and the Van Nijenrodeweg, developer Kroonenberg Groep joined forces with the American star architect Jeanne Gang. As Lesley Bamberger, CEO of Kroonenberg Groep, explains, “Quartz has such an iconic image that you cannot walk past without gazing at it. Whenever I do that it brings a smile to my face and makes me feel proud. Together we have added something unique to the city of Amsterdam which is having an impact on the area as a whole.” The Amsterdam-based firm Rijnboutt was responsible for the urban embedding and acted as co-architect. In the opinion of Rijnboutt’s own Frederik Vermeesch, “Q Residences is a wonderful example of high-quality densification in Buitenveldert, based on the principles of the General Expansion Plan (AUP). It is high quality in terms of its urban design, its architectural design and its materials and details.” NEOO was responsible for managing the development from master plan right through to realisation. Contractor J.P. van Eesteren was responsible for the construction.

Unveiling of the Studio Job sculpture

On the attractive green plaza, which was designed by Piet Oudolf, Reinier van Dantzig, councillor for House Building and Urban Development, unveiled the Studio Job creation – which is a life-size sculpture featuring the Q logo – together with Jeanne Gang and Lesley Bamberger. Reinier Van Dantzig was standing in as deputy mayor for mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema who was unable to attend at the last minute. Halsema regretted not being able to unveil the sculpture herself and stressed the significance of Q Residences for the city. “Amsterdam is proud of this new gem in the city. We would like to thank all those concerned for once again giving the city a push in the right direction.” The unveiling ceremony was preceded by an informative presentation in the lobby of the Quartz building, which was presided over by Humberto Tan. Architect Jeanne Gang adds, “The design of Q Residences creates a connection between the residents themselves and the greenery that defines the Buitenveldert neighbourhood. On the ground floor the Qube and Quartz buildings form a new, spacious public area which brings people together around art and landscape. The façade of the Quartz building has a larger surface area and the fact that the balconies are staggered means that neighbours can have visible contact with each other. Residents have to feel good, both in their homes and in their surroundings.”

Those present also included Piet Boon, Frederik Molenschot, Petra Blaisse and Job Smeets, the artists who played such an important role in the embellishment of this iconic complex. Job Smeets, from Studio Job, explains more about the sculpture. “The sculpture of a woman’s hand holding the illuminated letter Q was cast in bronze and is five metres high. The work of art, which is called ‘Hers’, represents the creativity of the female architect. It is a statement to passers-by about women who are not only linked to this building, but also to important positions in the modern world.”

Sustainability Sustainability served a dual purpose during the construction of Q Residences. In the first place the project had to comply, of course, with Amsterdam’s ambitious sustainability programme. A second purpose was to continue building on the garden city concept that Cornelis van Eesteren had in mind in his General Expansion Plan [Algemeen Uitbreidingsplan] for Buitenveldert in 1935. Consequently, the buildings are grouped around a green plaza which is also open to the public. Solar panels have been installed on the roofs to provide electricity to the charging stations for electric cars. Both residential towers have been carefully insulated and both have integrated heating and cooling systems.

Kroonenberg Groep has reached an agreement with No Label for a long-term lease at Hoogstraat 14 in The Hague. The lease involves a retail space of around 235 m² distributed over the ground and first floors. The lease commenced on 15 October and the store is going to open after a short period of fitting-out work.

The new store is going to be the sixth physical store of the Amsterdam-based brand which represents higher quality ‘smart essentials’ at competitive prices. No Label was established in October 2013 and started out as a company predominantly concentrating on private label. These days No Label focuses on functional clothing for men in the form of basics such as chinos, sweaters or sneakers. No Label also has stores in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Roosendaal.

Kroonenberg Groep received leasing advice in this instance from Insight Real Estate and KroesePaternotte.

At Apollolaan 171, Kroonenberg Groep is developing a state-of-the-art office building. J.P. van Eesteren started the construction work in the autumn of 2021 and today the building reached its highest point. That moment was celebrated with the installation of the final lift cover plate during a ceremony attended by the architect, contractor and developer.

Apollolaan 171 is situated at a wonderful corner location close to luxury hotels, homes and high-end offices. The design is transparent and responds to its environment, which is defined by Berlage’s historical architecture from the early 20th century. The side of the building facing Apollolaan is characterized by interlocking glass volumes. The transparency that this creates visually draws the greenery of the environment into the interior. The main entrance to the office building is on the corner.

As Lesley Bamberger, CEO of Kroonenberg Groep explains, “It’s very special to see how quickly the new building’s contours became apparent here. We look forward to seeing a beautiful, finished building here soon.”

Marco Peppel, director of J.P. van Eesteren, adds, “This project is an example of fantastic and high-quality architecture. As builders we naturally want the finished building to be just as beautiful as what it looked like on paper. That’s what the team is working so hard to achieve. When you reach the highest point, it’s nice to reflect with everyone involved on what we have managed to achieve together.”

The development of Apollolaan 171 will eventually consist of 6,600 m² of office space for rental purposes, with parking in the basement for cars, scooters and bicycles. The building is scheduled to be completed in mid 2023.

During a specially organised ceremony Lesley Bamberger (CEO Kroonenberg Groep) Danny Louwers (municipality of Almere) and Jeroen Everaert (Mothership) unveiled the work of art entitled City on the Water [Stad op waterspiegel]. The work is intended to be an experience for shoppers, the residents of the surrounding homes and people passing by from the station. The work of art tells Almere’s story and is part of the Sea-Green Promenade [Zeegroene Loper] created by Mothership.

Green is rightly the theme in many towns and cities. Green has a multitude of meanings, for example healthy, sustainable, clean energy, young, not to mention trees and plants. It is an image that any town or city would like to portray and green is therefore not unique. However, Almere does have a unique history because it was built on the seabed. There are few towns or cities that can make that claim. Almere’s interpretation of this is the Sea-Green Promenade – an art route which extends from the station up to the Weerwater artificial lake. In collaboration with concept developer Mothership BV, which is known for, among other things, the Market Hall [Markthal] in Rotterdam, various art and cultural projects for the Sea Green Promenade have

been implemented in the centre of Almere.

During the redevelopment of ‘Metropool’, at the location of the old station offices, Kroonenberg Groep decided to add a work of art in line with the Sea-Green Promenade. A commission was formulated together with Mothership which also fulfils the wishes of the municipality of Almere and fits in with the image of the area around the station.

The wall for which the work of light art has been created, stands in a partially covered passageway which connects the bus station to Station Square. Shops are located opposite the wall, as is the entrance to the homes of the ‘Metropool’ development. Immediately next to the wall is the main entrance to the renovated station.

As Lesley Bamberger, CEO of Kroonenberg Groep, explains, “We often add art to our projects. Art adds something to the experience of visitors to an area. It inspires and sometimes also encourages them to embrace new ideas. We are very pleased with Iwan Smit’s work of art which uniquely portrays the key elements of the city of Almere. It is a work of art which you can keep looking at and in which you will continually discover new elements. That makes it particularly special.”

Iwan Smit’s work navigates between serious themes and lightheartedness and this often produces colourful worlds with a dark twist. His inspiration for City on the Water were the elements that define Almere, varying from its skyline, football, the Ally de Aap football mascot and, of course, the ever-present water and greenery.

Kroonenberg Groep has reached agreement with The Body Shop for a long-term lease agreement for a store located at Kalverstraat 84 in Amsterdam. The lease involves a retail space of around 145 m² distributed over the ground and first floors. Kroonenberg Groep recently carried out a thorough refurbishment of the premises and restored the façade to its former glory.

The Body Shop stands for ethically sourced and naturally-based ingredients from around the world, in no-nonsense packaging you can easily refill. The lease started on 1 June 2022 and the store will be opening its doors to the public very soon.

Kroonenberg Groep received leasing advice in this instance from Kroese Paternotte and B&O Retail.