Demolition marks start of new Haagsche Passage

Design reinvigorates Delfts Blauw

THE HAGUE - The former Marks & Spencer building, located in the centre of the city across from the Hema outlet, will soon be demolished to make way for the Nieuwe Haagse Passage. This new arcade will link the Spuistraat with Grote Marktstraat in The Hague’s central s hopping district.

The new Passage project is part of the plan to turn the Grote Markstraat into a ‘shopping boulevard with international appeal, with chandeliers, coloured lights and luxurious paving stones.

The Nieuwe Haagse Passage will also connect with the original Passage, a street turned into an arcade, which runs from the Gravenstraat to the Spuistraat, and will have three levels.

The underground, the ground and the first level call for retail shops, the second floor for restaurants and cafes and on the top floor a hotel.

French Swiss designer, Bernard Tschumi, who was hired for the project, will reinvigorate the well used Dutch interior identity symbol of ‘Delfts Blauw’ for the development and Dutch skies for the interior.

Developer Multi Vastgoed expects construction to begin later this year and targets completion by the end of 2013.