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Vastint Netherlands divests Jacob building in Utrecht

20 | 12 | 2024
After years of ownership, Vastint Netherlands has decided to sell the Jacob building to Sofidy.
Located at St. Jacobsstraat 121-135, the building is situated in a prime location in the heart of Utrecht near the Oude Gracht and Vredenburg, with excellent public transport access. Utrecht Central Station is less than a ten-minute walk away. Originally completed in 1958 and fully renovated between 2019 and 2021, Jacob offers over 4,000 m² of high-quality office, retail, and archive space. The office spaces are fully leased to tenants such as Regus and Coolblue Energie, while the retail space is occupied by Bever. The building holds an A++ EPC rating and a BREEAM In-Use Good certification.  

Atlas ArenA Amsterdam renews lease with IQ-EQ for 3,000 m²

16 | 12 | 2024

Vastint Netherlands’ Atlas ArenA Amsterdam recently renewed their lease with IQ-EQ for a long term period for 3,000 m² on the first floor of the America building, located at Hoogoorddreef 15 in Amsterdam Zuidoost. IQ-EQ has been based in the America building, one of the five office buildings on the Atlas ArenA campus, for almost 10 years. The entrance to the building has recently been fully renovated and transformed into a modern, comfortable space. It offers tenants the perfect environment to work, meet and relax. The lease renewal means that IQ-EQ can continue to benefit from this upgraded space in the coming years. ‘Our company has been located in the America building of Atlas ArenA Amsterdam for years. The building, the environment and the relationship have stood the test of time. We have always been able to realize our ambitions as a company in the rented property, but we have also been able to overcome challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic safely and together. The best confirmation for us to continue the relationship for the longer term was the outcome of a stay or move survey among our people. An overwhelming majority chose to stay. The space itself, the building, the location, the facilities on and around the site were identified as strong points. We are happy that we can continue to call this place our home base for years to come.’

Chimney Walk buildings at Sugar House Island, London achieve WiredScore Gold certification

16 | 12 | 2024

Vastint UK has achieved WiredScore GOLD certifications for all three buildings at Chimney Walk, verifying them as best-in-class assets in terms of digital connectivity. Chimney Walk is the latest phase of development at Vastint UK’s east London site Sugar House Island, delivering 20,500 m2 of space for office and education use. This certification reviews the infrastructure, digital connectivity and future proofing of buildings, looking at factors such as quality of internet service providers, resiliency of telecommunications infrastructure and capacity to install future technical requirements. Digital connectivity and technology are now huge priorities for businesses and achieving a certification like this provides a guarantee for the high quality of the space. This is the latest piece of good news for Grade A office space at Chimney Walk, following the recent announcement that Vastint UK has signed a deal with Study Group to bring a new University of Huddersfield campus to the Island. Find out more information about Chimney Walk and enquire about the space here.

Vastint Romania welcomes Saint Roastery to Business Garden Bucharest

12 | 12 | 2024

Vastint Romania is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Saint Roastery, which will open its first urban café in the garden of Business Garden Bucharest. Saint Roastery brings its passion for specialty coffee to the urban garden of Business Garden Bucharest, expanding with a new location nestled in nature—a space designed for coffee enthusiasts and those seeking relaxation. “We look for unique spaces where we can reinvent the moment and the experience of enjoying a coffee. We are delighted to have found such a place at Business Garden Bucharest, where we escape the city’s noise and create our first café in the middle of an urban garden. The name says it all: Saint Roastery Botanica. This will be our next story.” stated Ionuț Croitoru, Founder of Saint Roastery.“We will craft the next space outside of home and office—a green oasis where you can spend quality time with colleagues, business partners, family, or friends while enjoying Saint Roastery’s delicious coffee, far from the urban hustle,” added Simona Croitoru, co-Founder Saint Roastery. The new space, covering 165 m2, is set to become a key attraction for employees working in the complex and visitors alike, offering not only specialty coffee but also a vibrant atmosphere perfect for socializing. “It is a true joy to see how the Business Garden Bucharest community continues to grow with innovative partners like Saint Roastery. Our urban garden offers a unique setting where moments shared with family and friends over a great cup of coffee can turn into memorable experiences, free from the city’s noise.”, stated Sorin Macoveiu, Commercial Director Vastint Romania. The grand opening of Saint Roastery Botanica is planned for spring 2025. The lease transaction was facilitated by CBRE Romania. “As a strong advocate for local businesses, I am thrilled to have facilitated this partnership. Saint Roastery embodies the spirit of entrepreneurial passion and community-building, making them an exceptional addition to Business Garden. The centrally located pavilion, with its unique design and surrounding green spaces, is perfectly suited to their vision of creating an inviting and vibrant atmosphere. This collaboration promises to deliver a remarkable experience for specialty coffee enthusiasts and the wider community.” – said Ileana Mitrache, Senior Consultant A&T Office, CBRE Romania Located on Plevnei Blvd. 159, the office complex boasts excellent accessibility to all public transportation (tram, bus, Metro line M3) and features state-of-the-art technical specifications. It offers a wide range of services and amenities to support tenants and enhance employees’ daily lives. From extraordinary events hosted in the garden to relaxation areas with ping-pong tables, multifunctional sports courts, and oversized chess pieces, everything is designed to create an exceptional experience for Vastint tenants and partners. Business Garden Bucharest is the first Business Garden complex in Romania and the sixth in Europe within the Vastint Group portfolio. It consists of three medium-height office buildings, totaling 43,000 m2 of leasable space. The complex is LEED Platinum certified with the highest score in Romania, integrating commercial and public services within a unique natural setting, complete with a spacious garden and dedicated recreational areas.

Vastint welcomes Jurn Hoeksema

09 | 12 | 2024



We are pleased to announce that Jurn Hoeksema will be joining us as the new Managing Director of Vastint Holding starting 1 February 2025.

Jurn comes to us with an exciting background, having served as COO Northern Europe and Member of the Executive Committee at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield in his past role. With over 25 years of experience in senior management roles across real estate investments, operations, asset management, and consulting, mostly in Vastint’s current geographies, we are confident he will be a great addition to the Vastint team.

Jurn will replace our dear Steen Sodemann who retired after almost 30 years.

We wish Jurn all the best in his new role and will make sure he will soon love Vastint just as much as we do!

Vastint Romania organizes the third edition of the Blood Donation Campaign

03 | 12 | 2024
Vastint Romania, in partnership with Digi Group (Digi24, Digi FM, and ProFM), organises the blood donation campaign “Give a Drop of Hope.” The event will take place at Business Garden Bucharest on December 17th.
In December 2023, Vastint Romania became the first private company to join the Digi24 national campaign „Avem același sânge”. Since then, two successful sessions have been held at Business Garden Bucharest, warmly embraced by our tenant and collaborators community. On December 17,  part of the Bucharest Blood Transfusion Center will be relocated for one day. This initiative, held just a week before Christmas, aims to gather a large number of donors, offering each participant the chance to save up to three lives through a simple yet profoundly meaningful gesture. ”We are proud to reach the third edition of this campaign. The first two sessions demonstrated the solidarity and civic spirit of our community, and the results achieved inspire us to keep going.”, says Eliza Onică, Senior Marketing Manager Vastint Romania. ”Collaborating with Digi Group for this initiative is a true joy for Vastint. Our partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to positively impacting the community. We warmly invite you to join us on December 17 as we come together to #giveadropofhope during the third blood donation session, offering the only gift that truly matters—life.”, added Vastint Romania representative. Today, donating blood is an essential act to save lives. No more surgeries should be canceled due to a lack of blood. „Avem același sânge” the most extensive and ambitious national project led by a news television station for the benefit of patients. Launched by Digi24 on December 1, 2022, the campaign has already mobilized 4,995 donors across 22 counties. Blood donation is not just an altruistic gesture; it’s an action that benefits both those in urgent need and the donors themselves. Alongside the moral satisfaction of saving lives, donors receive vouchers worth 280 RON, a day off from work, public transport discounts, and a comprehensive set of free medical tests. Moreover, blood donation improves health. A single donation can save three lives, and the medical team will collect 450 ml of blood, ensuring a boost to your overall well-being. Anyone over the age of 18 and weighing at least 50 kilograms can donate. If you are healthy, do not suffer from chronic illnesses, and have not had surgery in the past six months, you can turn this gesture into the most meaningful holiday gift. We look forward to welcoming you with open hearts on December 17, starting at 8:30 AM, at Business Garden Bucharest, Building A, Calea Plevnei 159. Come and donate! Don’t forget! In order to can donate, you have to register yourself herehttps://daruieste.businessgarden.ro/. Come and offer hope to those who need it most this Christmas! Join a collective effort that transforms generosity into a chance for life.

Vastint UK announces first Chimney Walk tenant with Study Group’s London Campus for the University of Huddersfield

02 | 12 | 2024

Study Group has signed a deal with Vastint UK  to operate a new University of Huddersfield – London campus taking 985 m2 at Chimney Walk on Sugar House Island in London Stratford.  In partnership with the University of Huddersfield, Study Group will take the space to create a new satellite campus for postgraduate international students. The university will offer courses across fields including management, international business, computing and marketing.  The campus will take space at Chimney Walk, the Island’s latest and largest phase of commercial development. The CAT A offices front onto Stratford High Street, with ground floor units set to be occupied by a mix of cafes, restaurants, shops and services.   Two of the three buildings were granted dual use status earlier this year. This allows both education and office tenants to occupy the building, responding to the growing demand for education space in east London.   The University of Huddersfield – London will join the already thriving education community on the Island, with the likes of East London Dance and UD Music, who offer creative courses to aspiring artists, School 360, a primary school focusing on holistic education, and the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education, a leading provider for courses in arts psychotherapy child counselling.  University of Huddersfield – London is the latest in a swathe of educational providers to open in the area, following the arrival of London College of Fashion (LCF) and UCL East at East Bank and regional universities like Loughborough University and Staffordshire University at Here East.  Michael Cronin, Head of portfolio at Vastint UK, said, “At Sugar House Island we are a significant way into the 26-acre masterplan with a vision to transform this once industrial site into a vibrant community and thriving hub for learning, creativity, enterprise and innovation. Acquiring dual-use status on key buildings in Chimney Walk has future-proofed our development, creating a flexible environment where education and business can converge. With its unrivalled access to talent, its excellent transport links and its proximity to all the leisure, entertainment and green space that Stratford has to offer, Sugar House Island as a truly unique opportunity for businesses and organisations alike.”  July Behl, Chief Partnerships Officer at Study Group, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with the University of Huddersfield to establish a London location for them.  It was essential to find a location with impeccable international connections and an exciting offer and amenities for students. The purpose of our new business-focused campus at Sugar House Island is to put employability for our postgraduate students first, so, most importantly, the Island’s proximity to the capital’s financial district was imperative for us.”  Sugar House Island is a 26-acre mixed use neighbourhood. The Island is a 5-minute walk from Pudding Mill Lane station and a 15-minute walk from Stratford station, the sixth busiest railway station in the UK.     Chimney Walk comprises 20,440 m2 of education and office commercial space, 2,140 m2 of retail and leisure space for independent brands. The pedestrianised public realm will act as a stage for the growth of the Island’s already popular events programme, which features food pop ups, comedy nights, music events and more.  

Vastint UK gains approval to bring one of Europe’s largest EV car parks to Leeds

28 | 11 | 2024



Vastint UK has received planning permission from Leeds City Council to bring one of Europe’s largest electric vehicle charging car parks to its Aire Park development in Leeds.

The private multistorey car park which will be located to the north of Great Wilson Street will serve the occupants of Aire Park’s commercial district, offering 433 spaces, all with electric vehicle charging capability.

In line with the development’s commitment to encouraging healthy and sustainable lifestyles, the car park will also provide a secure cycle hub at its ground floor with 516 spaces, bike wash and service stations.

Set to be built on land originally used as warehousing for the Tetley brewery, designs for the new car park building will be in keeping with the sensitive development already seen across Aire Park.

Designed to be a safe and easy to use parking facility, the car park building will conveniently connect with Aire Park’s office facilities and provide an attractive new link street connection from Great Wilson Street onto South Brook Street and into the heart of the development.

This link street will also offer additional opportunities for planting and landscaping, building on the 700 new trees Vastint will bring to Aire Park as part of its park, set to be the largest new city-centre public park in the UK.

On the planning approval, Simon Schofield head of development North, commented: “We’re really proud to be bringing one of Europe’s largest EV car parks to Leeds and our plans for this car park are in keeping with the ethos we’re applying throughout the development of Aire Park.

We want to make sustainable and environmental choices an easy option for the future users of the development, from the convenience of charging their car in any parking space to having a bicycle service station on hand for quick fixes if required. This is the level of detail and attention we’ll be bringing throughout the creation of Aire Park as we build a brand-new community in the Leeds South Bank with wellbeing and sustainability at its heart.”

To find out more about Aire Park visit: https://airepark.co.uk/.

Opening second phase Gdynia Waterfront

22 | 11 | 2024

Vastint Poland has completed the second phase of the prestigious project Gdynia Waterfront in Gdynia. The complex harmoniously blends modern architecture with Gdynia’s modernist heritage, transforming this area into an attractive urban space with residential, office, hotel, and commercial functions.Gdynia Waterfront is not only an investment in modern architecture but also in the city’s future. The revitalization of Gdynia’s waterfront is reshaping the landscape and creating new development opportunities for both residents, leisure and businesses. Once the entire project is complete, it will become a vibrant social hub, offering spaces for living, working, gatherings, and cultural activities. A new heart of Gdynia will be born here,” emphasizes Roger Andersson, Managing Director of Vastint Poland. Gdynia Waterfront is a multifunctional complex covering approximately 75,500 m², located on the boundary of the city center and the waterfront on the former shoreline. For years, this land remained unused despite its significant potential. Since 2012, thanks to Vastint’s efforts, an area of over 4 hectares has been gradually developed. The first phase, completed in 2015, included two office and hotel buildings with a leasable area of 21,600 m² near the President’s Basin, which now house the headquarters of PKO BP bank and the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. The recently completed second phase consists of four office and residential buildings with underground parking. The newly constructed office buildings, with a combined leasable area of nearly 16,000 m², create a cohesive frontage along Waszyngtona Street. Each building features a representative entrance with a uniquely designed vestibule, and ground floors dedicated to commercial spaces, enhancing the area’s functionality. Additional amenities include infrastructure for cyclists and electric vehicle charging stations. The office buildings are distinguished by their elegant design, high-quality finishes, and flexible interior layouts. In the second row of buildings are two five-story residential buildings with green courtyards that provide semi-private spaces for residents and service points. The complex offers 126 apartments ranging in size from 35 to 173 m², from studios to spacious top-floor apartments with double-sided terraces. The residential units will be sold upon completion of the project, finished with a high fit-out standard, with options for yacht- or port-style interiors. A central passage between the office and residential buildings creates a friendly space for walking and relaxation, enriched by carefully selected coastal plants, flowering beds, and wide seating areas that emphasize the harmonious character of this part of the complex. Among the greenery stands the historic Fisherman’s Cross, symbolizing the city’s traditions. The development is designed with a high ESG standard and in accordance with LEED certification criteria. The buildings feature energy-saving LED lighting, recycling systems, and an advanced Building Management System (BMS). Additionally, more than 25% of the site is dedicated to biologically active spaces. These energy-efficient solutions not only highlight the project’s eco-friendly character but also contribute to cost optimization over the buildings’ operational lifespan. Gdynia Waterfront plays a key role in the revitalization of Gdynia’s waterfront, creating a modern space for living, working, and recreation. In the final phase of the project, two additional hotels with conference facilities and a spa area will be built, along with restaurants, a multi-screen cinema, and a cultural pavilion with an art gallery. Public promenades, squares, and a central plaza will make the complex a vibrant city center, attracting both residents and tourists.

New co-working space opens in Business Garden Bucharest

05 | 11 | 2024
Vastint Romania announces a new strategic partnership with IWG, the global leader in hybrid workspace solutions, which will open a new Spaces location within the Business Garden Bucharest complex. As the adoption of hybrid working rapidly accelerates across Romania, the number of enquiries for space in International Workplace Group locations has risen sharply and this new opening helps meet rising demand. The company plans to open the new coworking space in Q1 2025, occupying 1,900 m2 of meeting rooms, private and shared offices, within Building A at Business Garden Bucharest. Spaces, along with other global and regional workspace brands, is part of the IWG network, which includes Regus, HQ and Signature. “We are establishing a stronger and much-needed footprint in Romania with this latest opening. As an important business hub Bucharest is a fantastic place for us to boost our expansion plans. The need for high-quality flexible workspaces continues to soar as hybrid working becomes the new normal. We are very pleased to work in partnership with Vastint Romania to develop the Spaces brand under a management agreement that will add a cutting-edge workspace to their building. Our opening in Bucharest comes at a time when more and more companies are discovering that flexible working boosts employee happiness and satisfaction, while helping the environment. Our workplace model is also proven to increase productivity and allows for a business to scale up or down at significantly reduced costs.” stated Mark Dixon, CEO & Founder of International Workplace Group PLC. Business Garden Bucharest is the first Business Garden complex in Romania and the sixth in Europe from Vastint Group’s portfolio. It consists of three mid-rise office buildings with a total leasable area of 43,000 m2, certified LEED Platinum with the highest score in Romania, integrating commercial and public services in a distinctive natural setting, complete with a spacious garden and dedicated relaxation areas. We are thrilled to welcome IWG, the largest player in coworking segment in Romania, in Business Garden Bucharest. This new partnership reaffirms the attractiveness of Business Garden Bucharest, the office building LEED Platinum certified with the highest score in Romania, which offers, besides an urban garden and very generous outdoor seating areas, a variety of services available in the immediate neighborhood (shopping mall, food court, hypermarket, fitness & spa). Also, a strong argument for IWG and any new tenant is that we are very aware of the importance of community services for tenants, so developing a work environment that encourages employee returning to the office is a priority for us. We understood that the workspace must be as attractive as possible and provide experiences that employees cannot get if they work from home or a coffee shop, so we regularly organize a variety of activities and events, well appreciated by our tenants.”, stated Sorin Macoveiu, Comercial Manager at Vastint Romania. Located at Bd. Plevnei no. 159, with excellent accessibility to all public transportation (tram, bus, M3 metro), the office complex features state-of-the-art technical specifications: operable windows every 2.7m, 3m ceiling height, an air conditioning system with 100% fresh air intake, energy-efficient electrical equipment, LED lighting, water-saving technologies including a rainwater collection and management system, and natural lighting. The complex provides a diverse range of services and amenities to support tenants and enhance their employees’ daily lives. From remarkable events organized in the garden to relaxation areas equipped with ping-pong tables, multi-functional sports courts, and oversized chess pieces, everything is designed to provide a unique experience for Vastint tenants and partners.

Vastint UK reveals LEGO® brick model of iconic Tetley building

04 | 11 | 2024

In homage to the historic structure, Vastint UK has recreated the Tetley Building at Aire Park in Leeds entirely from LEGO® bricks. The model, which depicts Vastint UK’s proposed plans for the Tetley building, has been created by Brick Galleria, an internationally renowned LEGO® brick model building company. Brick Galleria has produced models for companies such as The LEGO® Group, Walt Disney and Marvel and recreated the Leeds landmark in 416 hours, using a total of 92,164 LEGO® parts. The model has been installed in the atrium of the development’s newly completed 3 South Brook Street and is available for visitors to view and photograph throughout the half term break. Professional LEGO® brick artist from Brick Galleria and TV’s LEGO® Masters expert, Kevin Hall said: “Brick Galleria is really excited for everyone in Leeds to come and see the highly detailed, scale replica LEGO® brick Tetley model that we have created and be inspired to reimagine this piece of Leeds’ history.” Michael Cronin, Head of Portfolio at Vastint UK added: “As custodians of The Tetley, we are dedicated to ensuring the building is open for the next 100 years and able to be used by the whole Leeds community. We wanted to help people visualise our plans and hope the public is as excited about the building’s future as we are.” Once complete, the Aire Park development will span 24 acres of the city’s South Bank, creating a new community with nature and wellbeing at its heart. The development will also deliver over 92,000 m2 of commercial space and 1,400 high-quality homes with easy access to Leeds city centre and convenient routes to the train station in only seven minutes.

Vastint Romania wins Leadership in Social Responsibility award

25 | 10 | 2024



Social responsibility means much more than adhering to ESG principles. Vastint Romania’s community involvement has been recognized by winning the Leadership in Social Responsibility award at the Environmental & Sustainability Summit for their blood donation campaign, #PauzaDeFapteBune.

The #PauzaDeFapteBune campaign was born from a pressing need – the acute shortage of blood in hospitals – and provided both Vastint Romania’s internal and external communities with a concrete opportunity to make a difference.

Our Romanian team feels honored. “I would like to thank our partners at Digi Group, everyone who donated, and the entire Vastint team for making this campaign possible. The commitment and dedication of all those involved, along with a shared passion for making a difference, are what make initiatives like this achievable”, stated Sorin Macoveiu, Commercial Manager at Vastint Romania.

We thank the Environmental & Sustainability Summit for recognizing our efforts and for the trust that together we can build a better future.