Hart van Zuid, the Heijmans/Ballast Nedam construction consortium, the Municipality of Rotterdam and Rotterdam Ahoy signed a contract with Foruminvest in 2020 for the construction of the new hotel. A hotel has always been a dream of Ahoy. It is remarkable that the deal was closed in these difficult times and that construction is starting now. Jolanda Jansen, CEO Rotterdam Ahoy, says: “We are extremely pleased that after a long start-up process, we can finally get this project off the ground. The demand for hotel accommodation is high during (international) conferences, trade fairs, shows and concerts. We will soon be able to offer a total package. Ibis Styles is a unique hotel with a creative design, well-suited to our city. With the arrival of the hotel, this area will soon become a new city hotspot.”
Area development
The construction of the hotel is part of the Hart van Zuid area development. This area around Ahoy and Zuidplein metro station is a unique place next to the Zuiderpark, the largest city park in the Netherlands. As part of this project, the Ahoy Exhibition & Event Halls were modernised in 2018, and the new Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre and RTM Stage, a multi-purpose theatre and music hall, were opened at the end of 2020.
Aerjen Koeneman, Director of Foruminvest: “We are proud to be able to contribute to this area development with our hotel expertise. With HR Group, the project has a strong and knowledgeable hotel operator. We are realising the latest ibis Styles formula together with an appealing restaurant formula to cater to a combination of business and leisure guests.” A franchise agreement has been concluded with Accor for the operation. HR Group is a multi-brand hotel operator based in Berlin. It runs approximately 80 hotels in Europe.
About Hart van Zuid Rotterdam
Hart van Zuid is a unique partnership in the Netherlands in which the municipality, local businesses, schools, residents and Ballast Nedam and Heijmans bring out the best in the area together.
Hart van Zuid gives a qualitative boost to the Zuidplein area. A pleasant, healthy and sustainable living environment is being created, with space for leisure, work, living, shopping and socialising. The aim is to create a new, vibrant city centre for Rotterdam Zuid.
