The Grand Office, proud headquarters of the Nederlandsche Gist- en Spiritusfabriek for a long time, has been empty for twenty years. In 2021, owner DSM transferred the property for one euro to BOEi, a nonprofit organization focused on repurposing industrial, agricultural, and religious heritage. This will give the Grand Office a second life as a high-end office building with reception areas. The challenging work is currently ongoing, says Development Manager Rosan Pallada. "The front building is in scaffolding and the tiled roof and glass are being dealt with in addition to the facades, gutters, frames, windows, and towers. The work is progressing, but we keep encountering new challenges. For example, the purlins are corroding, and we need to completely replace the gutters. Cracks are also forming in the lead of the towers. The question each time is how best to solve the problem. To do so, we are working closely with the Department of Cultural Heritage and the Heritage Department of the municipality of Delft. A specialized contractor is carrying out the work."
Restoration perils
The restoration of the impressive dome in particular is causing headaches. "We want to keep this in its current state as much as possible," Pallada said. "We can reuse the existing frames but are looking for an alternative to the cathedral glass, as it has been breaking and falling out. As the current frame cannot support additional weight, safety glass is not possible. How do we solve that? Of the 20 options, one remains: a patterned glass variant with foils." In addition to technical issues, the necessary permits also pose a challenge. Meanwhile, the permit application for the restoration of the dome and the facade on the third floor is out the door. "Hopefully we can get started in October. Assuming we have enough money for it. We are applying for grants, writing to funds, and engaging the public." Several governments and funds are already contributing to restoration of the exterior and fencing. "Now we are looking for additional funds for other issues, such as the dome."
A bright future
The restoration of the dome will take at least six months and that of the backside and roof a year. "Ideally, that could be done at the same time, but that is challenging in terms of construction," says Pallada. "Next is the interior, the design of which is already underway. "There will be attractive office space for companies in biotechnology, appropriate for the Biotech Campus Delft."
All installations also need to be updated. "The Grand Office is on dsm-firmenich land, but it now needs its own gas and electricity supply," Weerdenburg says. "The gas is now being taken care of, but the electricity supply is very complicated. In fact, the Grand Office is located on an island and the cable must pass through water over territory belonging to various owners. In the meantime, we have arrived at proposal number 3. Hopefully it will be settled by the end of this year."
The renovation requires a lot of skill, cooperation, time, and money. dsm-firmenich supports BOEi whenever possible. "We like things to be a joint effort," says Weerdenburg. Pallada is pleased with this. "There is a lot going on at the same time, there are major challenges, and sometimes you have to deal with a disappointment. But this fantastic building deserves a new future. Hopefully, by 2027, hundreds of people will be proud and happy to come here to work every day!"
Help build the Grand Office
The Grand Office is not just a building; it is also a story. A story about the rise of industry in Delft and the first social safety net for the factory worker. Would you like to contribute a personal experience? Send an email to communicatie@BOEi.nl. Read about how you can help even more at www.vriendenvanboei.nl/behoud-het-groote-kantoor.
Photo: the Grand Office