The unique Floriande shopping centre is in the flourishing town of Hoofddorp, close to Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam. MAB Development and the renowned Cie Architects decided to apply Bastide-style principles to this project, which is made up of 12 adjoining ‘islands’. At the heart of the mall is an attractive central square surrounded by shops at street level with two residential layers above. Small streets with more retail outlets meander from the central square, providing an ambience that is reminiscent of towns in the south of France (minus the weather of course).

Like the squares of such towns, the Floriande shopping centre serves as the social heart of the IJwijk neighbourhood, a so-called Vinex urban development location. Floriande is divided into four blocks and, in addition to shops, features a school complex including a nursery and various social and neighbourhood facilities such as a care centre. Having the apartments situated above these facilities helps guarantee a sense of liveliness in the area. Plenty of parking space is also provided, divided over four large car parks in four directions from the central square.