Hello Zuidas — January-February 2018

• 3

Talking to people in Zuidas about 2017, the general

consensus seems to be that it was a fairly good

year. The economy has rebounded, construction

projects are proliferating in Zuidas and all over

Amsterdam, and we have more to spend on the finer

things in life, large and small. Even so, people clearly

have not forgotten the crisis of 2008. Symptomatic of

this is the emphasis the city an property developers

lay on mixed-use buildings. Our cover features David

van Traa. He has been the director of Zuidas for

a year now, a role that puts him in charge of area

development. He explains why mixed-use buildings

are so important, and lays out his vision for the

future of Zuidas.

I also had a fascinating conversation with Jan Hein

Tiedema and Tom Redecker of OVG Real Estate. As

many people in Zuidas will know, a truly world-class

building is set to rise on Beethovenstraat, near the

Amsterdam Football Club. The design of the Valley

building, as it’s called, is also multifunctional, and

will include features similar to New York’s High line,

which is accessible to ever yone. We also have detailed

coverage of the EMA’s upcoming relocation to Zuidas

• a real coup for the district! - starting on page 12.

I’m looking forward to finding out what 2018 has

in store for us, and wish ever yone a happy and

healthy New Year!

Happy reading!

Romy Lange

Editor-in-chief Hello Zuidas

[email protected]

HOW WILL 2018 STACK

UP AGAINST 2017?

It’s the start of another year; a year in which the 21st century officially becomes an ‘adult’. But how old would

Zuidas be? It’s impossible to pin down an actual birthday. The WTC opened in 1985; ABN AMRO arrived in 1998.

I myself have been happily working in Zuidas for over 12 years. In any case, in 2018 we’re marking the district’s

20th year. We’ll be doing that in various ways, from spotlighting pioneering residents to showcasing the

district’s physical metamorphosis over two decades. To me, the best thing about Zuidas is that it’s continually

evolving. In honour of 20 years of Zuidas, I’d like to invite you to share your memories and photos of Zuidas in

its early days. Please send stories and pictures to: [email protected]. Best wishes for 2018!

Olivier Otten, managing director of Hello Zuidas

THE NEXT ISSUE IS

SCHEDULED FOR

THE 5TH OF MARCH

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