BESIX Nederland is revitalising Rotterdam's former Post Office building, a 1920s architectural treasure. Located in the city’s heart, this project is led by our colleagues at BESIX Nederland and their partner, the Italian contractor Rizzani de Eccher, in the joint venture ‘THE POST BOUW’.
The project’s centerpiece consists of a 154-metre-high residential tower, complementing the former Post Office. The whole project is a perfect example of blending construction innovation with heritage preservation. The tower will house a total of 305 apartments (203 rental and 102 private-buyer apartments) with 70 different layouts, and some hotel rooms, all spread over 43 floors. This new construction will be integrated into the renovation project of the former Post Office, which will be turned into a 5-star luxury hotel. Once completed, the Post Office building will host the Intercontinental Hotel Group's Kimpton brand, featuring a luxurious hotel, a commercial plaza, and restaurants. The Omnam Group, responsible for developing and commissioning the project, will oversee the full renovation of the Post Office and the fit-out of the hotel and retail spaces.
The transformation of the Post Office building, dating back to the 1920s, is a prime example of historical redevelopment. It stands as one of only three city landmarks to have almost entirely survived the Second World War. Previously vacant, this iconic structure is now being revitalised with a comprehensive renovation that retains the original façade and its beautiful arched hall, thus restoring its distinguished character.
The JV project started at the end of 2021 with demolition and site preparation works. Eighty-six wooden piles needed to be removed from the ancient foundation structure which had been bored into the first sand layer of the terrain, at a 20-centimetre depth.
The year 2022 was devoted mainly to earthworks and piling works. The foundation of the tower is made of 110 steel tube piles which go through to a more load bearing second layer of sand at a depth of about 60 metres. The piles are made of two 30-metre segments and were bored at a rhythm of one pile a day.
This year, the team started structural works, making progress in giving shape to the tower. The new tower features a courtyard paralleling the original monumental hall of the postal building, as you can see in the picture below. The courtyard wing makes way for a new entrance and form the plinth of the tower. The tower stands, as it were, on an 18-metre-high table, going up to level 4, supported by 2.5 x 2.5 metre legs. The core of the tower, containing the staircase and the lift shafts helps keep the building stable, in combination with the shear walls, by transferring lateral loads to the foundation.
Our colleagues in Rotterdam are currently carrying out formworks and concrete works for the core, slabs, and walls. They have now reached level five, at a 25-metre height. The structural works of the core are being carried out by using a self-climbing system. This is a working platform, equipped with a controlled, synchronized climbing mechanism, which makes the construction of high concrete structures extremely fast, cost-effective, and safe. The climbing units, comprising wall formwork and platforms, are lifted hydraulically.
The façade is an architectural peculiarity and a construction challenge. It will be placed around the building like a second skin and composed of tailor-made staggered bows made of glass-fibre reinforced concrete. Behind the beautiful arches and columns is an aluminum curtain wall façade that meets high energy-performance requirements.
Underneath the whole complex, an autolift garage for 34 cars will be built next to a bicycle car park for 700 electrical vehicles.
Amid logistical challenges and the need to minimize disruption in one of Rotterdam's busiest areas, our team is collaborating closely with the Municipality of Rotterdam. The magnificent revival of POST Rotterdam will enhance the city's image and provide a striking example of the mix between modern architecture and the rehabilitation of historical buildings. Works are set to be completed by the end of 2025.