Unilever will move in to the space by mid-2025. Unilever is a market leader in sustainability, both in terms of its product offerings and operations. This represents a great match with AIR Offices, which is equipped to operate Paris Proof, including a BREEAM Excellent, WELL Gold and WIRED Score Platinum label.

Peter Dekkers, Head of Unilever Netherlands: “AIR Offices aligns with our three principles: what is good for our people, for the planet, and for the company. It is an example of modern sustainability located in the bustling shopping heart of the city of Rotterdam. AIR is clearly designed with the modern way of working in mind and supports collaboration opportunities and hybrid work styles. For us, this means an environment that enables us to attract and retain the best talent. It is also crucial that the building meets the latest sustainability standards, thereby reducing our ecological footprint.”

AIR was built in the 1950s as a V&D department store and was used as a department store under various owners until 2019. AIR was bought by a consortium of TPG Angelo Gordon, Schroders Capital Real Estate Netherlands and NEOO in early 2020 and was transformed into an outward looking, multi-functional and sustainable building adapted to the wishes of today’s employees and retailers according to a design by WOMO Architects. The communal areas in AIR Offices are designed by D/Dock, including the atrium and roof pavilion. The transformation of AIR will be completed this summer.

Maarten Briët, Co-head Schroders Real Estate Netherlands; “We are very pleased to welcome Unilever as an important tenant in AIR. Our goal with the redevelopment was to turn a closed department store into a bustling, mixed-use building where companies can also offer their employees an inspiring workplace. The arrival of Unilever, after we first welcomed Spaces, confirms that this has been successful. The offices in AIR offer more than just a workplace, with a large atrium, catering, retail, a bicycle basement and a beautiful roof pavilion with a view of the Rotterdam skyline on the roof, this is the office of the future.”

AIR already has several users and different parts of the building have already been delivered. A Jumbo supermarket opened in the basement in 2023, as well as a flagship C&A on the corner of Beursplein and Koopgoot on the ground floor. Immediately after the summer, a large public bicycle parking facility of the municipality of Rotterdam will also open in the basement and above the shops will soon be 5 floors of daylight-flooded office space under the AIR Offices label.

Spaces will be the first to occupy a large part of the office space this summer. On the 1st floor – adjacent to the atrium – Spaces will open its own meeting center. This meeting center is specially designed to offer users of AIR Offices more flexibility for consultation and bringing together large groups.

The agreement with Unilever was managed on behalf of the landlord of AIR Offices by BRiQ and Osborne Clarke. Unilever was assisted throughout the process by CBRE and DLA Piper. Unilever will start the fit-out to a design by Fokkema&Partners in Q4 of 2024.

AIR Offices still has approximately 12,500 m² of office space available and BRiQ and CBRE are involved on behalf of the landlord.