Projects
New dark ride and splash & play area
Following the opening of The Dutch Masters, Madurodam is set to expand further over the coming years. This includes an impressive 6,000 square meters of land and 4,000 square meters dedicated to attractions, dining, and entertainment. Embera’s project management is playing a key role in this expansion.
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Groundwork for the expansion has been underway for some time, and the first addition to Madurodam, the Rivierenland play area, will open in the spring of 2025. "With this expansion, we are adding even more experiences that showcase the very best of the Netherlands," says Bram Vermeer, Financial Director of Madurodam. The park has been offering a miniature view of the Netherlands since 1952.
Bram adds: "Thanks to this expansion, Madurodam is entering a new phase of growth." The new section will primarily feature indoor attractions. "With additional covered attractions, we will be even more appealing to visitors all year round," he says.
Choosing Embera
The first projects within the expansion—a dark ride and the Rivierenland splash & play area—are currently being realized under Embera's project management. Following the success of The Dutch Masters, choosing Embera as project manager was an easy decision. Mike Brinkman and Dennis Bakker are leading this project. "Embera simply did a great job on The Dutch Masters. Investment projects come down to three things: quality, planning, and budget. Mike and Dennis know how to achieve the best results within those parameters."
The expansion and new construction are complex, Bram explains. "Attractions are unique assets. The new dark ride is the first of its kind for us and, at the same time, the largest attraction in our 72-year history. We are going all out with an audiovisual experience. That brings together specialisms that we don't all have in-house. It’s great to have a project partner who is well-versed in the leisure market."
"That's when it's great to have a project partner who knows the leisure market inside out."
Bram Vermeer
Financial Director of Madurodam
Embera’s involvement
Embera’s involvement begins in the design phase. "From the very first sketch, Mike and Dennis help us think through the translation into budgets, schedules, and requirements," Bram explains. "They assist with market tenders, draft specifications, manage negotiations, and ensure all processes run smoothly." A concrete example of Embera’s added value: during the installation of a costly Berlin wall, Mike and Dennis proposed an alternative solution that was equal in quality but significantly more cost-effective. Bram notes: "That shows they have that market expertise."
Looking to the future
Bram says: "It is important for Madurodam that Embera looks beyond the current project." Madurodam will continue to add attractions to the park in the coming years. You want to ensure that the work being done now doesn't hinder future projects. Embera understands that. They don't cut corners just to meet a budget; they take everything that is still to come into account.
The result? Rivierenland, a park-like setting with a dining area where children can splash and play, opens in the spring of 2025. The dark ride, the theme of which remains a secret for now, is currently under construction and will open to visitors in July.
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