ING to develop Akzo Nobel's new Amsterdam HQ

Chemicals giant Akzo Nobel has chosen ING Real Estate to develop its new corporate headquarters in Amsterdam. Akzo chairman Hans Wijer said the company was moving from its current base in the eastern Dutch city of Arnhem to the Dutch capital to improve international access to the headquarters and help drive the company's future success. 'With the separation of our pharma activities on track, relocating to Amsterdam is also symbolic of our exciting new future as a focused coatings and chemicals company,' he said.

The board and a number of support staff - approximately a 100 people in total - are to move in July this year to offices in A tower of the Atrium building the Zuidas business area in Amsterdam.

Wijer said ING and Akzo Nobel would work closely on the development of a new building of 12,000 m² in the Beethoven portion of the Zuidas district to ensure the new headquarters acquires the functionality and appearance Akzo Nobel wants. The next step is to draw up a programme of requirements, after which the parties will jointly select an architect.

Beethhoven, an integral district development by ING Real Estate, is flanked by the RAI congress centre, the World Trade Center, Wilhelmina Park and the A10 motorway. Akzo Nobel hopes to move into its new headquarters in 2010.

The relocation is a major coup for Amsterdam as the municipality has been working hard to promote the city as a prime location for multinational companies. Amsterdam's mayor Job Cohen expressed delight at the news. 'Amsterdam has built up an enviable position as one of the most international business centres and I am very pleased a company of such world quality as Akzo Nobel is going to relocate its headquarters to our city,' he said.