Eindhoven's Glass Cathedral primed for the future

Real Estate Journal - 24 september 2020

On the 25-hectare Strijp-T site in Eindhoven stands the TY Building. Also known by the names Glass Cathedral and Glass Laboratory. "The iconic structure is currently literally waiting for the major metamorphosis it will soon undergo. Afterwards it must be suitable for one, at most two parties that come from the high-tech manufacturing industry", says Boudie Hoogedeure. He is part of the development team that will breathe new life into Strijp-T without losing sight of its history.

This is not the first building on the site that the Hoogedeure team is tackling. Previously they already did this with other objects on Strijp-T, named TQ, TZ, TR, TAQ and TAB. And now TY is next.

About the historyBuilding TY (1956) was used by Philips as a pilot factory and glass laboratory. Together with the adjacent Building TZ it formed for years the development center for glass. In this pilot factory glass was pressed, blown or drawn and produced industrially by machines.

Tailor-made for the future tenantThe former glass laboratory consists of two floors with on the ground floor the workshop, storage and mixing room, canteen, cloakroom and toilets. On the first floor were the melting lab, drawing benches and offices. High doors:"The glass laboratory, with its high ceilings and glass facade, is exceptionally suitable for an ambitious company. We transform the building according to specific rental and user requirements but only begin the fit-out once a concrete candidate comes forward. This is custom work.''The building consists of an east and west side that a company can rent separately and as a whole.

Virtual Reality TourThe future tenant or perhaps tenants can, moreover, already get acquainted with the new building. An Information and experience room has been set up in the building, where one can, by means of Virtual Reality, already experience what possibilities the property has to offer.

PlansThe development team of Hoogedeure is of course not only responsible for the redevelopment of the industrial property of 5.455 m². Bert Dirrix of diederendirrix architects from Eindhoven is closely involved in the design of the transformation of the striking and predominantly glass building. The original spaces and the unique shell and the floor will be preserved as much as possible. The property also offers the possibility to expand the square meters to 7.000 m².

In short, the Eindhoven Glass Cathedral on Strijp‑T is being transformed with respect for the architectural past and the modern comforts of new construction. Consideration is also being given to the sustainability standards of 2020. After the renovation the building will be provided with Energy Label A++. The transformation works of Building TY will take one and a half to two years.

Source: Sandra Lissenberg - Real Estate Journal