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One of the oldest buildings in Zuidas, Prinses Irenestraat 59, which was built in the 1970s, has undergone a thorough refurbishment. Originally designed as an office building, this brutalist complex has had several tenants over the years. After its completion, accountancy firm KPMG moved into the building, followed by the law firm NautaDutilh. Starting in 2003, the building was used as a school by the Amsterdam International Community School (AICS). In 2021, the school relocated to new accommodation in A.J. Ernststraat, again making it possible for the building to be used for its original purpose as an office.

Elegant and transparent

The redevelopment was done by G&S& and was commissioned by Nuveen Real Estate. V8 Architects created the design that has transformed the building into a contemporary office building meeting state-of-the-art sustainability requirements. In this, the building’s brutalist character has been maintained, but given an elegant tone. The existing concrete façade has been replaced by large windows, making the whole building more transparent and lighter. The building features bronze ornamentation, and a granite/terrazzo (polished concrete with gravel) finish with an elegant look and feel.

Bridge between high-rise and low-rise

The structure of the building, 100 m long and 40 m deep, and protruding in various places, has remained in place. The floor area, spread across six layers, has increased by 5,000 sq. m. to 22,500 sq. m. The building serves as a natural bridge between the high-rise Zuidas on the one side and the Prinses Irenebuurt neighbourhood on the other.

PI59 boasts three different atria, in order to maximise natural daylight. On the ground floor on the west side of the building, there is space for a bistro with a large terrace. Inside the building, there is plenty of green and natural materials, as far as possible reflecting the parklike environment being created outside.

Public and green parking deck

PI59 will have space for 400 bicycles and a semi-underground car park with room for 80 cars. On the parking deck, there will be a public area featuring planting, the exact details of which are being determined in consultation with the neighbourhood. Felixx landschapsarchitecten is responsible for the planting plan on the parking deck and is designing a green garden around PI59, which will serve as a green buffer between the two urban areas.

Sustainability

PI59 boasts a BREEAM Excellent certificate and has been transformed in accordance with the WiredScore, RE\DEFINE and Net Zero Carbon sustainability standards.

Schedule

Construction work started in late September 2022 after the demolition works had been completed. The building was completed in April 2024. Finishing work is now been carried out on the interior in preparation for the arrival of the tenant Philips, who will use PI59 as a head office. Philips is expected to move into the building in the spring of 2025.