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Thorough facelift for Brussels’ Financietoren
The ‘Tour de Finance’ is situated on a strategic site in the heart of Brussels. Until a few years ago this 145 m high eye-catcher was owned by the Belgian government. In the summer of 2001 the Financietoren was obtained by a Dutch party. As part of the purchase, the owner Breevast B.V. undertook to remove the asbestos from the tower and to renovate it thoroughly. Search Engineering and Consultancy is closely involved in this prestigious project. Breevast’s director Henk Brouwer: “Initially, Search Engineering and Consultancy just provided a ‘second opinion’. But pretty soon after we asked them if they would play a more prominent role.”
At first sight, the Financietoren looks impressive. The 145 m office tower contains an area of 200.000 square meters. The combination of a concrete column and a building in steel and glass soon got itself the nickname ‘la femme’ in Brussels.
A few years ago, the Belgian government decided to sell some of its possessions. The Financietoren’s windows were among those who were adorned with a ‘For Sale’ poster. The eye of the Dutch project developer Breevast B.V. fell on the office tower. Director Henk Brouwer recounts how he came into possession of the tower: “During the summer of 2001 we submitted a tender to the Belgian government. Eventually we were able to buy the tower. Not only was it important for the tender that we as a company had enough financial resources at our disposal. An important criterion for allotment also was that we had enough in-house capacity to carry out a major renovation. Moreover, we agreed with the original owner on a sale-lease-back deal. Which means that when the renovation is finished, the Finance Department will be housed in the office tower.”
A number of obligations ensued from the purchase / sale transaction. An important obligation implied that Breevast as a new owner would guarantee that the Financietoren would be free of asbestos on completion. Breevast outsourced this project and asked Search at the same time if they would ‘discreetly keep a eye on things’. Henk Brouwer continues relating his story: “The offer for asbestos decontamination was rather high. Through an existing relation we then contacted Search. They gave their vision of the project as a kind of second opinion. Their integral approach immediately resulted in considerable savings. Search does not look upon asbestos decontamination as a separate job. They see decontamination, demolition and renovation as an integral project. This vision was our reason to ask Search to draw up a new logistic plan for asbestos decontamination, internal demolition and renovation.
The complete renovation (including asbestos removal) of the Financietoren will take place over a period of 36 to 40 months. This giant project, in which 200.000 m2 floor area will be renovated, starts on January 1st, 2005. Of course Search is happy with playing a part in this project which is more in the spotlight. From the beginning it was clear that they couldn’t fulfil their responsible task if they considered it as just an office job. Henk Brouwer explains why: “Search aims at carrying out the part of asbestos decontamination within the total project as efficiently as possible. After all, that will result in considerable savings in the long term. So gradually Search has become a vital link in the project. For example, as a member of the building team they take part in meetings and they set down the logistic plan in the form of specifications. Later they will be responsible for the partial delivery of the decontaminated floors, so we can be sure that these spaces are asbestos-free. In this, they will co-operate closely with the Belgian team.”
The Financietoren’s renovation is a large-scale project which takes quite some doing. Step by step ‘La Femme’ will change its shape. Over a period of three years, the old woman will be transformed into a desirable, beautiful lady which Brussels can be proud of.
Henk Brouwer lifts a corner of the veil: “During the renovation we will strip the glass façade from the building. Until all that is left is just a concrete shell. All technical installations will also be newly installed. Moreover, our plans envision an annexe of 20.000 m2.” Apart from the Financietoren, its immediate surroundings will also be overhauled. When the renovation of the ‘Tour de Finance’ is finished, this strategically situated area will be next. Eventually the plans – apart from the tower’s renovation – include 60.000 m2 office area, 40.000 m2 of housing and 20.000 m2 of hotels, shops and museums. Breevast B.V. will then be the proud owner of 350.000 m2 of real estate in the Belgian capital.
La femme
At first sight, the Financietoren looks impressive. The 145 m office tower contains an area of 200.000 square meters. The combination of a concrete column and a building in steel and glass soon got itself the nickname ‘la femme’ in Brussels.
A few years ago, the Belgian government decided to sell some of its possessions. The Financietoren’s windows were among those who were adorned with a ‘For Sale’ poster. The eye of the Dutch project developer Breevast B.V. fell on the office tower. Director Henk Brouwer recounts how he came into possession of the tower: “During the summer of 2001 we submitted a tender to the Belgian government. Eventually we were able to buy the tower. Not only was it important for the tender that we as a company had enough financial resources at our disposal. An important criterion for allotment also was that we had enough in-house capacity to carry out a major renovation. Moreover, we agreed with the original owner on a sale-lease-back deal. Which means that when the renovation is finished, the Finance Department will be housed in the office tower.”
Integral approach
A number of obligations ensued from the purchase / sale transaction. An important obligation implied that Breevast as a new owner would guarantee that the Financietoren would be free of asbestos on completion. Breevast outsourced this project and asked Search at the same time if they would ‘discreetly keep a eye on things’. Henk Brouwer continues relating his story: “The offer for asbestos decontamination was rather high. Through an existing relation we then contacted Search. They gave their vision of the project as a kind of second opinion. Their integral approach immediately resulted in considerable savings. Search does not look upon asbestos decontamination as a separate job. They see decontamination, demolition and renovation as an integral project. This vision was our reason to ask Search to draw up a new logistic plan for asbestos decontamination, internal demolition and renovation.
Giant project
The complete renovation (including asbestos removal) of the Financietoren will take place over a period of 36 to 40 months. This giant project, in which 200.000 m2 floor area will be renovated, starts on January 1st, 2005. Of course Search is happy with playing a part in this project which is more in the spotlight. From the beginning it was clear that they couldn’t fulfil their responsible task if they considered it as just an office job. Henk Brouwer explains why: “Search aims at carrying out the part of asbestos decontamination within the total project as efficiently as possible. After all, that will result in considerable savings in the long term. So gradually Search has become a vital link in the project. For example, as a member of the building team they take part in meetings and they set down the logistic plan in the form of specifications. Later they will be responsible for the partial delivery of the decontaminated floors, so we can be sure that these spaces are asbestos-free. In this, they will co-operate closely with the Belgian team.”
Desirable woman
The Financietoren’s renovation is a large-scale project which takes quite some doing. Step by step ‘La Femme’ will change its shape. Over a period of three years, the old woman will be transformed into a desirable, beautiful lady which Brussels can be proud of.
Henk Brouwer lifts a corner of the veil: “During the renovation we will strip the glass façade from the building. Until all that is left is just a concrete shell. All technical installations will also be newly installed. Moreover, our plans envision an annexe of 20.000 m2.” Apart from the Financietoren, its immediate surroundings will also be overhauled. When the renovation of the ‘Tour de Finance’ is finished, this strategically situated area will be next. Eventually the plans – apart from the tower’s renovation – include 60.000 m2 office area, 40.000 m2 of housing and 20.000 m2 of hotels, shops and museums. Breevast B.V. will then be the proud owner of 350.000 m2 of real estate in the Belgian capital.
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