Shell Downstream, Shell’s product and supply business, has moved into its new accommodation at ‘Weena 70’ in the heart of the city of Rotterdam. The official opening today, 15 February 2012, brings all its 1,050 staff together into one central office for the first time.
Built during the early 1980s, the building at ‘Weena 70’ required major redesign and refurbishment before staff could move in. Occupying some two-thirds of the building over seven floors, Shell Downstream is the major tenant in the block.
Frits Weel, Shell’s Real Estate project manager explains the reasoning behind the move: “Five business offices of Shell Downstream were accommodated at various locations in the south of the Netherlands. They were keen to develop a more cohesive working environment by amalgamating all their businesses into one central office, and make cost efficiencies by reducing the amount of space they occupied.
“Two of Shell’s largest industrial plants are situated in the Rotterdam area, our refinery at the Port of Rotterdam, and our petrochemical facility at Moerdijk. This influenced our decision to locate the central office for Shell Downstream in Rotterdam’s city centre. Refurbishment of the offices began in February 2011 and completed 10 months later.”
Choosing an existing location substantially reduced Shell’s impact on the environment. Construction waste was kept separate from demolition waste, which meant materials could be recycled, all original energy installations were replaced with more efficient systems, and existing furniture - some 900 chairs - were re-upholstered for re-use within the building. The project achieved LEED* Silver classification for its sustainable works and features.
Commissioned by Shell, Royal Haskoning was responsible for sourcing the location, the project management and the supervision of the internal processes. The refurbishment, comprising 700 workstations, a variety of meeting rooms and communal areas, was carried out and monitored by ASR Vastgoed Vermogensbeheer. Royal Haskoning set up the program of requirements and handled the various technical assessments of the premises, including the LEED assessment process. It was also responsible for spatial and functional test fits, cost estimations, specification scrutiny, on-site supervision for which Shell was contractually responsible, and landlord negotiation.
Frits Weel adds: “Continuity in a project of this scale is very important. The same Royal Haskoning team was involved throughout. Their thorough understanding of Shell’s policies and delivery of a range of specialist services and advice, often under strict time constraints, led to the successful completion of the project in time, to scope and under budget.”
Teddy Bogdanovski, Royal Haskoning’s senior project manager for Buildings comments: “Having a deep understanding of Shell’s Real Estate’s process requirements was key to fulfilling their mandatory steps and process approvals. We also needed to understand Shell Downstream’s internal work processes and culture, so we could create the right environment and facilities at the new location.”