Tesselschadestraat 4–12 is a complex full of hidden historic details that immediately capture the eye. The left wing, Villa Boissevain, was designed around 1876 by Pierre Cuypers and named after its first residents, the banker family Boissevain.

Over the years, the building underwent several major transformations, most notably in the 1950s, when Labouchere Bank expanded into four adjoining 19th-century townhouses and replaced the original wooden entrance gallery with a modern entrance building.

As project developer, CRHS was commissioned by Prima Project B.V. to lead the redevelopment of the complex, with the ambition to achieve a BREEAM Excellent In-Use certification. Together with architect Hans Verhoeven, we are responsible for the overall project management, including the coordination of design, restoration of historic elements, and implementation of sustainable interventions, ensuring that both the heritage value and contemporary performance of the building are fully realised.

The project includes restoring remaining historic features, such as the brickwork mosaics above the windows, and replacing the 1950s entrance building with a more open and transparent façade in laminated oak. The design draws inspiration from Cuypers’ architectural principles: the dialogue between brick and wood, indirect access routes, rhythmic window divisions, and the use of honest, enduring materials.