Renovation of Glass Laboratory at Strijp-T in Eindhoven without glass company
Glaslaboratorium TY on Strijp-T in Eindhoven is the next building being renovated by owner GEVA BV. © PhotoMeulenhof
EINDHOVEN - The final part of building TQ on Strijp-T in Eindhoven will be completed in April. Work on the next step is already in progress: the plan for the renovation of the monumental Glass Laboratory TY is almost ready. There is no room for the continuation of the activities of Philips' glass company GSP.
Michel Theeuwen 20-03-19
The Glass Laboratory will be restored according to the plan, including the characteristic glass facade. Inside, there will probably be space for one or two major tenants. Owner GEVA BV is currently negotiating with several serious parties who want to move into the so-called glass cathedral, says spokesperson Boudie Hoogedeure.
The plan will only be made public after it has been discussed with heritage watchdog Henri van Abbestichting. It has also been considered whether it was possible to accommodate the company GSP Special Glass (GSP). Ideally, the initiators wanted to leave all equipment, such as the old glass furnaces, in place. However, according to Roeland Brugman and Piet van Santen of GSP, GEVA BV and Philips (the tenant at the time) could not agree on the cleanup of the glass factory.
Ovens
GEVA BV demanded further guarantees regarding pollution, including asbestos and radioactive stone. Philips and GSP could not provide them due to the risks involved. Eventually, Philips removed everything from the building last year. "If we want to reinstall the ovens, it will cost a lot of money. Due to these high investments, we had a weak business case," said Van Santen.
The glass cathedral, the Glass Laboratory at Strijp-T in Eindhoven when the factory was still in use. © (c) Philips Company Archives, Eindhoven
In addition, the glass production company requires a high space for the process. "However, GEVA BV chooses to rent out more square meters; that generates more revenue. In that respect, we have become victims of market developments. That's why we pulled the plug," said Van Santen. "With the plans for other companies, GEVA BV can earn more money than with a not so wealthy start-up like us. It's a pity, because this was sacred ground for the production of high-quality special glass," added Brugman.
History
Hoogedeure says he understands the disappointment. He also states that 'serious consideration was given' to keeping the glass production. "Because we want to transform this industrial estate with respect for the past. Such functions with a link to history are very conceivable. But the company must be able to bear the costs. However, the remediation and investments turned out to be quite expensive. Moreover, there were so many conditions that hindered us in upgrading the building. Ultimately, unfortunately, we had to decide to take on the entire building ourselves. And yes, attracting the market also plays a role in this. Because the buildings TR (the power plant on Zwaanstraat - ed.) and TQ are filling up much faster than planned."
Building TQ at Strijp-T in Eindhoven. This part is almost ready for delivery. By the end of 2019, GEVA BV expects to have the list ready of companies that will be located here. © FotoMeulenhof
In the long section of building TQ, there is only a small 200 square meters left for rent, the rest is filled with, among others, Fontys, Ennatuurlijk, Additive Industries, and Ctouch. At the end, on the Achtseweg Zuid side where renovations are still ongoing, two floors have already been rented out to Fontys ICT program and Brainport Development. There is already a lot of interest in the remaining spaces. "We are currently putting the pieces of the puzzle together. By the end of this year, we expect to have the list of users complete," said Hoogedeure.
On Strijp-T, further plans are being made for an additional 5000 square meters of new construction near the former pump house TAQ, where the high-tech company Settles Savenije is located.
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