The Hague City Council has approved the conditional purchase of Aegon’s former headquarters in Mariahoeve. The complex will house a national center for digital security: the House of Cyber. A total of €60 million has been set aside for the acquisition and renovation of the building, which will be covered by rental income.
The House of Cyber will be the primary location where government, knowledge institutions, and businesses will collaborate structurally to strengthen the Netherlands’ digital resilience. This is a necessary step given the increasing threats from the digital domain. The purchase of the Aegon complex offers the municipality of The Hague a unique opportunity to contribute to national resilience against digital threats, significantly boost The Hague’s national and international position in cybersecurity, and prevent vacancy.
Collaboration against digital threats
At the House of Cyber, government, businesses, and knowledge institutions will collaborate to protect the Netherlands against digital threats. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the Ministry of Defense, and the Security Delta Foundation (HSD), among others, will be located here. This pooling of resources will enable parties to more quickly share knowledge and information about digital threats, accelerate innovation, and respond more effectively to digital threats such as cyberattacks, espionage, and sabotage of critical infrastructure.
Investing in a resilient economy
The establishment of the House of Cyber aligns with The Hague’s long-standing commitment to safety and cybersecurity and strengthens the city’s international profile as a city of peace and justice. The cybersecurity sector in the The Hague region is growing rapidly and employs over 21,000 people. Establishing the House of Cyber in The Hague strengthens the business climate for (inter)national companies and stimulates new business activity in the sector.
Alderwoman Saskia Bruines (Economic Development): “I am pleased that the city council has approved the conditional purchase of the Aegon complex. The establishment of the House of Cyber will make a significant contribution to the (digital) resilience of the Netherlands. Moreover, this step will stimulate the growth of The Hague’s cybersecurity cluster and create more space in the city for innovation, talent development, and new business.”
Aegon complex as an ideal location
The Aegon complex at Aegonplein consists of several buildings with a total of over 40,000 square meters of office space and a large parking facility. The size, location near Mariahoeve station, and the ability to combine secure and non-secure functions make the complex particularly suitable for the House of Cyber, according to the parties involved. The purchase prevents long-term vacancy and provides the building with a future-proof function that aligns with the city’s profile.
Boost for Mariahoeve
In addition to the House of Cyber, the municipality of The Hague sees opportunities to further develop the area around Aegonplein and Mariahoeve station. After the purchase, an area program will be developed that will also include space for housing, economic activities, and social amenities. The project will thus contribute to the broader regeneration of Mariahoeve and to the preservation and enhancement of Mariahoeve station on the Oude Lijn (Old Line).
Follow-up
Now that the city council has approved the proposal to make credit available for the purchase of the Aegon complex, the municipality and the intended tenants will discuss the lease agreements.