New RAI Parking building to include 2,500sqm event space

The final foundation pile of the RAI Amsterdam’s new multifunctional parking building was laid on 25 November. The symbolic act was performed by Sebastiaan Capel, chairman of the Amsterdam South district council, and Hans Bakker, CEO of the RAI Amsterdam convention and exhibition centre. With parking for 1,000 cars, the new RAI addition will increase capacity to 4,000 spaces. A multifunctional first floor of the new facility will also be able to be used as an event space. Growth of the RAI’s surrounding Zuidas business district in the past decade has seen the loss of several parking areas near the complex, and prompted the venue management to start work on the new 1,000-space parking structure. The RAI Parking building will be situated on the motorway side of the RAI, between Halls 8 and 10, and be taken into use in August 2016. The first floor will have a double ceiling height and be fitted out with 2,500sqm of event space. The design of the parking space was developed by architect Mels Crouwel from Benthem Crouwel Architekten. Res & Smit from Amsterdam is responsible for the contract and project management for the project on behalf of RAI Amsterdam.