Utrecht, 18 October 2022 - In 2019, Royal Jaarbeurs presented a master plan with a new design for the existing Jaarbeurshallen and surrounding area. These building plans are now being revised. After a standstill of almost two years, visitors and exhibitors are once again finding Jaarbeurs in abundance. At the same time, there is a global uncertain economic situation and a new reality in the events sector. Jeroen van Hooff, CEO Royal Jaarbeurs: "We see that the trade fair landscape is constantly evolving. Think, for example, of the entry of online and hybrid events; a development that affects the hall configuration and the flexibility you need for it. Jaarbeurs responds to continuous developments in the market and the needs of its customers on the basis of its responsibility. Therefore, we focus on a phased approach in the planning." Also, due to the current economic situation, the realisation of the original building plans is no longer feasible. "There is high inflation, very high energy prices and sharply rising construction and financing costs. We are working towards a modular, sustainable and feasible plan, which will enable us to move well with the changing market and our clients," Van Hooff said.
In the plan yet to be formed, Jaarbeurs first focuses on alternatives for the Prins van Oranje hall, located on the north side of the Jaarbeursboulevard. This is necessary because, based on agreements made in 2016, this hall, together with P1 and P3, will be transferred to the municipality of Utrecht in 2023. This in favour of the development of the new city district Beurskwartier.
There is also an eye on making the Jaarbeursboulevard more attractive and strengthening the connection between Transwijk and the city centre. "The Jaarbeursboulevard forms the proverbial 'backbone' of the district: the main route from the station to the stock exchange and neighbourhoods behind it, and it deserves attention," Van Hooff said.
Van Hooff: "Two parts of the 2019 plan, namely the green roof (park) and the creation of a partially, sunken, indoor logistics street, we are going to abandon for cost reasons. At the same time, this offers the opportunity to sustainably upgrade the existing halls on the south side of the Jaarbeursboulevard by means of renovation rather than demolition and total new construction. In doing so, we will keep our sights on the previously formulated principles, especially with regard to the intended sustainability."
"Jaarbeurs was established more than 100 years ago to promote trade and industry and thereby foster prosperity. This ideal still forms our foundation. We help our customers achieve growth in a sustainable and smart way. And we do this from the centre of the country, in the heart of Utrecht, flexibly responding to developments in the events industry and the world around us," Van Hooff said.
Staying informed
A strategic reorientation of building plans has taken place in the past period. The coming period will be used to develop the plans step by step. Interested parties will be kept informed via the website: jaarbeurs.
