Chic new hostel

Global professional services company Turner & Townsend has helped convert a former zoological university building in Amsterdam into a new, chic 566-bed hostel for the leading European chain Generator.

Turner & Townsend provided cost management services for the whole project on behalf of Generator Hostels. It is the first collaboration with the design-led brand, which combines affordable luxury rooms with unique social events.

The re-development of the disused university building, located near Oosterpark in East Amsterdam, includes 168 twin and quadruple rooms and a luxury sky suite for up to six people. A former lecture hall has been turned into a lounge and bar area with a mezzanine level above. There is a café, glassfronted elevators, outdoor terrace and the original basement boiler room is now a late night bar.

The consultancy’s role during the pre-construction phase included providing guidance and advice on cost reviews and forecasts, and making recommendations for a ‘very good’ sustainability rating under BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).

During construction, Turner & Townsend monitored the developer’s costs and implemented stringent procedures to identify early potential risks, alongside managing change control, site progress and providing support throughout the handover and completion phases.

Luke Bartolo, Country Manager Netherlands for Turner & Townsend, said: “Our comprehensive knowledge of Amsterdam’s local market and developer-led construction strategy, together with our skills and experience gained on other hospitality projects allowed us to bring the very best practice to the development. We’re really proud of the result.”