“Twee Kranen will be an inspiring environment”

Bart De Vos: “When Revive came across the Van Laere site in Zwijndrecht, it immediately thought of Hexagon's expertise in business developments. Ever since Jelle Vandendriessche left Revive to found Hexagon, this was a collaboration that was bound to happen sooner or later.”

Valerie Couvreur: “This is also the first project that Revive and Hexagon are undertaking together. Our teams each have their own expertise, which makes Twee Kranen a complementary company. What's more, our companies work in very similar ways. The ecological side, where we strive to improve polluted sites, is very important to both Hexagon and Revive. That sustainable focus is also part of Twee Kranen's DNA.”

Valerie: “You could call it a fifty-fifty split, with Hexagon taking charge of the redevelopment and Revive focusing more on the architectural and technical side. To design Twee Kranen, our teams are relying on B2Ai architects, a firm that has repeatedly proven itself in drawing up large masterplans and involving the relevant cities. In addition, landscape architect Arne Deruyter has been appointed to strengthen the natural character of the project and develop the functionality of the green spaces.”

Valerie: “Twee Kranen will host a mixed economic programme with functions that support the neighbourhood. The idea is to gradually scale down the buildings on the site, from larger industrial buildings and build-to-suits along the Parallelweg to a business park and a buffer towards the residential area.”

Bart: “At the moment, the site is built up right to the plot boundary, whereas our future layout is centred on a green belt between the existing residential area and the commercial section. The liveability of the area will therefore improve considerably. We are keen to hear what matters to local residents and which needs we can meet. If you want to maintain good relations with the neighbourhood, thorough communication is half the battle.”

Valerie: “In the coming months, we will sit down with local residents and other stakeholders, so that all the different parties benefit from the puzzle that is eventually put together. A first meeting with the neighbourhood has already taught our teams a great deal.”

Bart: “Developing sites like this is complex because so many different parties are involved. That is why we applied for a brownfield covenant, which allows us to count on support from the Flemish Government. This covenant not only provides the resources needed to roll out the Twee Kranen project successfully, but also serves as a platform for early consultation with the stakeholders who will later assess the permits.”

Valerie: “Zwijndrecht recently merged with Beveren and Kruibeke into a larger new municipality. Bringing those different players along in the Twee Kranen story is an extra challenge. On top of that, Zwijndrecht used to be part of the province of Antwerp, whereas it is now in East Flanders. That province keeps a closer eye on water recovery, an aspect our company wanted to work on anyway.”

Valerie: “Besides its excellent location and accessibility, Twee Kranen will offer more opportunities to entrepreneurs in Zwijndrecht. For them, the modern business property will also be a real asset. What's more, every company today is aware of sustainability, which is one of the project's key priorities. Finally, the green character of this project gives entrepreneurs some much-needed breathing space in the Antwerp region again. Twee Kranen has everything it takes to become an inspiring environment.”