Historic department store to become university campus in The Hague
A historic building once home to department stores V&D and Hudson’s Bay in The Hague is undergoing a major transformation. Located just a 10-minute walk from Den Haag Central Station, five minutes from parliament, and diagonally opposite City Hall, the 20,000-square-meter site will soon house a university campus.
The renovated campus will host several institutions, including the University of Leiden as the primary tenant, alongside the Dutch Universities Association, LUMC, TU Delft, and the Open University. “This setup allows universities to collaborate on shared themes,” said Judith van Doorn, spokesperson for Campus The Hague. Renovations are already underway, with completion expected in early 2026.
The project, led by CBRE Investment Management, aims to bring life back to the city center. Marije Braam of CBRE highlighted the careful planning behind the project. “A large retail store over multiple levels no longer works in today’s market. A university was identified as the best fit for this iconic location.”
The U-shaped building, which dates back to the 1930s and 1970s, will retain its monumental facade and interior details. “The glass-in-lead windows and retro orange tiles in the old stairwell will remain, even though they are not officially protected,” said Dennis Glazemaker, asset developer at CBRE.
The ground floor will feature a main entrance on Spui, directly across from the Centrum tram stop, with a new plaza designed for pedestrian and cyclist access. A basement-level bicycle parking area will include an innovative stairwell equipped with bike gutters for easier access.
The redevelopment emphasizes sustainability, featuring rooftop solar panels, green roofs, triple-glazed windows, and LED lighting. "Even the natural stone removed during facade repairs has been recycled and reused within the building,” Glazemaker noted.
A new rooftop structure, which spans the entire building, will accommodate offices for organizations such as the Universities of the Netherlands. According to Glazemaker, the upper floors offer panoramic views of The Hague, extending to Scheveningen and even the Kurhaus on clear days.
Daily, approximately 5,000 students and staff are expected to use the facility, which will also include a sports center, café, and study spaces. Extended operating hours compared to local retailers are projected to boost activity and vitality in the area.
