Space for new construction at business park Strijp-T in Eindhoven
Business park Strijp-T in Eindhoven, seen towards Strijp-S. Central building visible TQ. © Paul Raats/Strijp-T
EINDHOVEN - The new construction possibilities at the industrial estate Strijp-T in Eindhoven are being significantly reduced. However, even in a new zoning plan, there will still be plenty of space for new business buildings for innovative companies. Owner/developer GEVA BV expects that there will continue to be high demand for them.
Michel Theeuwen 23-02-21
However, GEVA BV will not build new buildings at its own risk, project leader Boudie Hoogedeure from Strijp-T at the company in Best explains. Only after the zoning plan has been approved by the municipality, he will look for companies interested in establishing themselves in a new building on the former Philips site. "And then we will search with those candidates for the best solution, either in their own building or together with others. Given the speed at which everything is progressing at Strijp-T, this could already be an issue in the short term. Because in Eindhoven, there is currently a lack of high-quality commercial space."
Existing buildings almost completely rented out
Last week, GEVA BV held the first digital meeting for entrepreneurs and residents regarding the new zoning plan. In the upcoming weeks, there will be more online meetings for the neighborhoods around Strijp-T. Existing buildings such as TQ on the site are almost fully occupied, according to Hoogedeure. GEVA BV is also finalizing the rental of the Glass Laboratory TY, which will be renovated by the end of this year.
Business park Strijp-T seen from Strijp-S. On the right in the foreground, the Light Bulb Square. © Paul Raats/Strijp-T
The starting point remains that Strijp-T is and will remain an industrial estate. The existing rights of companies such as Smurfit Kappa, Draka, and KMWE, as well as the newer Settels Savenije, are respected. The biomass power plant also retains its place in the plan. Therefore, housing construction - apart from the twelve existing houses on Bezuidenhoutseweg - is also not possible. "But the old plan was intended for one company, Philips, with heavy industry, such as the machine factory where KMWE is now located. We do not want to add new heavy industry in the middle of the city, so we are changing the destination for the rest of the area. This way, lighter industries, often in an office-like environment, can also be added. Factories and offices are also increasingly blending together," said Hoogedeure.
Project leader of Strijp-T from GEVA BV, Boudie Hoogedeure, on the roof of the Glass Laboratory TY. © Sem Wijnhoven/DCI Media
The starting point for the new plan is the innovative manufacturing sector, from education and design to production. Currently located on Strijp-T are, among others, Fontys ICT in building TQ, design agency Accenture (formerly Van Berlo) in the former power plant of Philips, and the manufacturers Settels Savenij (pump building TAQ and new construction) and 3D printer manufacturer Additive Industries.
In the old zoning plan, almost the entire 25-hectare site could be built on, including the roads and parking lots. "This results in so many square meters that it raises the question of whether this is desirable, especially considering the traffic it attracts," said Hoogedeure. Therefore, GEVA BV proposes to limit the building space to blocks along the four roads. "The most important thing is that we create space for more greenery, as Strijp-T should become an attractive, park-like working environment. Where there is also room for new construction."
Building TR - the Innovation Powerhouse, named after its former function: that of a power plant - on Strijp-T in Eindhoven. © Michel Theeuwen
The space is mainly on the outside, for example on Achtseweg-Zuid. Discussions are currently ongoing with the municipality about the possibilities to build up to a height of 29 meters, similar to the tallest part of building TQ. However, this has not been definitively determined yet, according to Hoogedeure.
"We are also considering creating flexible buildings. A new building could first be used as a parking garage and later converted into office space, if there is less need for parking spaces in the future."
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