📋 Tender Overview
Summary
NS is going to completely renovate the iconic office building Stichthage and gives the building a new name: Metra. The office building of 26,000 m2 at Koningin Julianaplein in The Hague is located at Den Haag Centraal station. The redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2028 and marks a new phase in the development of the Central Innovation District (CID). The building sets a new standard for sustainable, future-oriented office space in The Hague.
Name with Meaning
The new name Metra is not a random choice: the name originates from two concepts that touch the core of the building. Meta refers to change and transformation, exactly what this project embodies. Metro refers to the network of tracks, infrastructure, and passenger flows that literally converge beneath the building. Approximately 80,000 passengers pass through Den Haag Centraal station daily, with connections to Rotterdam, Schiphol, Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Brussels. Metra literally and figuratively stands on the rhythm of the city. The name also marks the direction: a building from 1972 that is being redesigned for the way people want to work, meet, and come together today. Sebastiaan de Wilde, CEO of NS Stations: With Metra, we are setting a new standard: a place where mobility and work come together seamlessly and where sustainability is not a prerequisite but the engine for innovation.
Sustainability as a Foundation
Sustainability is central to the redevelopment of Metra. The project aims to meet current international sustainability standards:
* Paris proof -- in line with the climate goals of the Paris Climate Agreement
* BREEAM Excellent -- leading certification for sustainable buildings
* WELL Core Gold-ready -- an internationally recognized certificate focused on the health, comfort, and well-being of users. The building will be delivered in such a way that tenants can apply for the WELL Gold certificate themselves. A central part of the sustainability strategy for the renovation is the dismantling and reuse of existing materials. This means that existing materials are not seen as waste but as valuable raw materials. The building will be carefully dismantled, with high-quality components systematically identified, registered, and prepared for reuse. In this way, the value of materials is preserved, and waste is minimized. Approximately 3,800 m2 of ceiling panels, 2,400 m2 of floor finishes, and 1,000 m2 of glass panels will be reused. Additionally, about 200 sanitary fixtures will get a second life, and a large part of the existing installations will also be harvested and reused. This circular principle limits construction waste, reduces the CO2 footprint of the construction phase, and aligns with the ambitions of NS and the municipality of The Hague in the field of circular economy.
26,000 m2 of Office Space
Metra will offer approximately 26,000 m2 of modern, flexible office space upon completion in 2028. The building is designed for organizations looking for a central, easily accessible location in the Randstad, with all the amenities that a contemporary workplace requires. The office floors will be rented out per floor, with an area of approximately 2,200 m2. Each floor will be delivered with a high-quality climate ceiling and lighting that can be individually controlled per 40 m2, ensuring optimal flexibility and comfort. On the first floor, there is a representative reception area. This space is designed for various purposes, such as receiving larger groups, meetings, and informal discussions. Additionally, facilities are available for lunch and social moments. This area is further equipped with supporting facilities, including toilets, a shower, a prayer room, and a nursing room. Its location directly above Den Haag Centraal station makes Metra one of the most accessible office locations in the Netherlands, by train, tram, bus, or bicycle.
Collaboration in the Central Innovation District
The redevelopment of Metra fits into the broader area development of the Central Innovation District (CID), the economic heart of The Hague that will develop into a vibrant and sustainable urban area over the coming decades. The collaboration between NS and the municipality of The Hague is essential in this: public and private ambitions are combined to create an environment that connects working, living, and moving. Klaas Verschuure, Alderman for Urban Development: It is very clever how Metra captures the rhythm of the economic heart of The Hague. We are building a new piece of the center here where innovation is central while making use of all the beauty that The Hague has to offer. The three intercity stations in The Hague form the crucial link, with the central station as the absolute focal point. That is why it is very exciting that we can now take this step with NS. With Metra as the gateway to our city, our business card is complete. The planned completion of Metra is in 2028.
