Government Buildings Agency reaches agreement on Ministry of Justice and Ministry of the Interior building projects

The two ministries, along with a 125-meter tall high-rise apartment block called 'The Crown', will be located on the site of the former social housing complex popularly known as the 'Black Madonna'. Each ministry will occupy its own 140-meter tall high-rise tower. These towers will be the highest buildings in The Hague. These new, strategically-located ministry offices will allow the GBA to implement a broad range of innovative solutions. The building will be highly versatile, with multifunctional spaces that can be adapted as needed.

Awarding the contract

For this important project only one building consortium has submitted a tender. The GBA thoroughly analyzed this tender and found this consortium qualified for the technical and organizational execution of the project, provided agreement could be reached on a price level, acceptable to the State. The discrepancy between the proposed budgets gave rise to negotiations, which were ultimately concluded to mutual satisfaction. Construction costs are estimated at €328 million, of which €78 million is earmarked for electrical installations and the climate control system, as well as data and IT infrastructure.

Planning

The site is currently being excavated to a depth of approximately 5.5 meters below street level in preparation for the underground parking facilities. This phase will take another few weeks. Work on the foundation pilings will commence in the summer. Late 2008, the JuBi building consortium will begin construction on the building and the project is slated for completion in 2012.

Renewal of The Hague's city centre

Concurrent with construction on the two ministry offices, Wijnhavenkwartier CV (Haagwonen/Kristal, Bouwfonds/MAB) will begin construction on the adjacent 125-meter tall high-rise apartment block known as 'The Crown'. This project also represents a joint effort between Ballast Nedam and BAM. The construction of the ministry offices, which are scheduled for completion in 2012, and the high-rise apartment block, to be completed in 2010, will take place during the first phase of the planned redevelopment of The Hague's Wijnhavenkwartier area. This project is, in turn, part of a larger redevelopment project known as 'The Hague New Centre', which aims to revitalize the city centre. During the project's second phase, scheduled from 2012 through 2016, the current Ministry of Justice and Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations buildings will make way for offices, apartments, cultural facilities and hotel and catering establishments. 'The Hague New Centre' is committed to transforming the city centre into an inviting, dynamic place to live, work, and visit. The project goes hand in hand with the 'The Hague New Central' project, dedicated to the renewal and expansion of the area surrounding The Hague Central Station, as well as redevelopment initiatives in the Spuikwartier, Grote Marktstraat and Beatrixkwartier areas of The Hague.

For questions concerning the construction project and/or the architect, please contact:

Carolien Achterbosch, Government Buildings Agency spokesperson, telephone 070-3399416 or 06-15017705. For additional information about the Government Buildings Agency, please see www.vrom.nl/rijksgebouwendienst.