The office building, owned by Dutch insurer Athora Netherlands, was thoroughly renovated in collaboration with CBRE, Kraaijvanger Architects and main contractor J.P. van Eesteren. This transformed the iconic building into a sustainable and future-proof office with an open and accessible character.

Kraaijvanger Architects designed the Holbeinhuis in the 1950s for 'Basler Transport Versicherungs Gesellschaft', creating one of the first office buildings on Coolsingel during the post-WWII reconstruction of Roterdam. The name refers to the German painter Hans Holbein the Younger, who portrayed Erasmus four times. In 2021, Kraaijvanger Architects was selected by tender to take on the spatial design.

The task was a threefold one.

1. To make it more suitable and attractive for multi-tenant use;

2. Making the building more sustainable;

3. Bringing back the original allure of the building.

The dilapidation that has occurred over the years, due to the many interventions that have been done, has been thoroughly cleaned up. The facade panels have been repaired and cleaned. The mosaic artwork on the facade by Louis van Roode has also been restored to its former glory. In the interior, the main contractor J.P. van Eesteren has very carefully worked around a number of artisanal highlights. Special ceiling details and column mosaics could therefore be preserved and restored to their former glory. The original luifelconstructie has been filled in with slats that are lit at night so that the building has become a beacon on Coolsingel.

After the renovation, the Holbeinhuis will have 9 high-quality office floors ranging from approx. 327 sq. m. l.f.a. to approx. 823 sq. m. l.f.a. In addition, the office building has two roof terraces, one of which is communal, and a mezzanine with landing spaces for communal use.

This project is a collaboration with CBRE, responsible for the concept development, strategic and commercial interpretation of the Holbeinhuis, building owner Athora Netherlands and main contractor J.P. van Eesteren. In mid-2024, doen'r, Total Mayhem Games, Nedspice and IWG's Signature label will move into the Holbeinhuis. With this, the Holbeinhuis will soon be almost fully leased.