Cascade complex

Adding value with a consistent policy and a clear vision of sustainability

The Cascade complex, situated at a unique location adjacent to Groningen Central Station, is the largest multi-tenant government building in the Netherlands. The complex consists of nine linked buildings and accommodates 17 different government agencies. This prime location is operated with several Triple A lessees and underlying long-term leases.

The complex has a lettable floor area of more than 34,000 sqm, part of which (20,000 sqm) was purchased by PingProperties in 2011. In the years that followed the other buildings were purchased in two transactions, so that almost the entire complex is now owned by the fund. The Cascade complex is characterized by government-related lessees which have been accommodated here since its construction in 1997-2000. These include the Central Government Real Estate Agency (Rijksvastgoedbedrijf, RVB), the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV), the Land Register, the Groningen Archives and the Telecom Agency. Both the quality and the accessibility of the buildings are excellent. It is therefore no coincidence that these lessees have generally committed themselves to the location for the long term. Solarfields, a market leader in onshore solar farms and government partner in developing a range of renewable energy projects in the Netherlands, has recently relocated to Emmasingel 4.

Thanks to its consistent policy, PingProperties has added value to this complex, and by rolling out a sustainability plan has improved the sustainability of the Cascade complex further, raising it to Energy Label A. This is perfectly in keeping with PingProperties’ sustainability ambitions to have 95% of its office properties achieving Energy Label A by the end of 2020. In doing so, PingProperties is making a lasting difference for all its stakeholders, including the RVB which will achieve substantial savings in its energy costs.