OMA, COD and NH Hotel Group won the Zuidas tender RAI Hotel.
On Tuesday April 28th 2015 City of Amsterdam and Amsterdam RAI announced the winner of the tender for the RAI Hotel. The winner is the innovative concept nhow presented by NH Hotel Group. The hotel is being developed by COD and designed by OMA, founded by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.
n June 2014 City of Amsterdam and Amsterdam RAI opened the tendering procedure for the development, realisation and exploitation of a headquarter hotel RAI. Eleven entries were submitted and each of these entries were of an exceptional quality. All parties scored high on a catering function on the top floor. The winning concept of OMA, COD and NH Hotel Group stood out because of the additional special facilities such as a television studio, gallery, sculpture garden, spa, restaurant and bar. Above all, the iconic design of the building was decisive.
Valuable contribution for the city
Director of COD Gert-Wim Bos said: “As COD and development partner Being Development, we are proud and honoured that the City of Amsterdam and Amsterdam RAI chose our plan. The spectacular concept nhow Amsterdam RAI and the iconic design of OMA will be of value for the city and the Amsterdam RAI area and will also enrich the skyline of Zuidas.” The construction of this 91-meter high hotel is planned for mid-2016. The hotel is located in the triangle of the Europa Boulevard, the highway A10 and the Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre.
Sensational design
OMA has created a design that integrates seamlessly with the current RAI complex and offers a new, modern look as well. OMA partner Reinier de Graaf: “Since the rise of Zuidas, Amsterdam RAI needed a ‘new’ urban look. The prominent advertising pillar ‘the Signaal’ provided inspiration for the new nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel and context for the extension of Amsterdam RAI itself.”
Nhow Amsterdam RAI
With its 650 rooms nhow Amsterdam RAI will become the biggest hotel in the Benelux. The innovative design, state-of-the-art facilities and distinctive programming make a stay at nhow a unique experience. The theme “On Air” is chosen because of the focus on connectivity, innovation and media in every sense of the word. Maarten Markus, Managing Director of NH Hotel Group, sees the arrival of nhow Amsterdam RAI as a huge asset to the more than 375 hotels constituent portfolio of the chain: “Together with our business partners we strive to enrich the Amsterdam skyline with 650 rooms, 25 floors and a 91-meter high multimedia studio. After nhow Milan, nhow Berlin and nhow Rotterdam, the iconic nhow Amsterdam RAI will be a hotspot for both business as leisure guests to enjoy excellent hospitality and gastronomic surprises “On Air” day and night.
Landmark for Zuidas
The City of Amsterdam aims to have a greater and diversified pallet of hotels spread across the city. It’s of great value for the city to develop a hotel with these facilities at this location in Zuidas. Klaas de Boer, Managing Director Zuidas, City of Amsterdam, “Zuidas is pleased with the outcome of this successful tender, the entries were of high quality, but this one really stood out. OMA’s design will form a striking eastern gateway to Zuidas and will increase the attractiveness of Zuidas and RAI within the international business”.
Headquarter hotel
A long-cherished wish of Amsterdam RAI has become reality. General Director Hans Bakker: “RAI hotel fulfils the ambition to realise a headquarter hotel on the grounds of Amsterdam RAI. This hotel will be the centre for event planners, exhibitors and visitors of large, multi-day international events. Thanks to the iconic design of OMA and the 24-hour experience, the nhow RAI creates greater value to the RAI complex and makes the location Amsterdam RAI more attractive. Therefore we are able to strengthen our competitiveness in the international fairs and convention market and thus further enhance our spin-off towards the city of Amsterdam.”
Future perspective
The development of the RAI hotel originates from the RAI Spatial Development Plan that was drawn up by Amsterdam RAI and the City of Amsterdam in 2011.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
