Around the turn of last century, The Hague still had genuine canals, such as the Herengracht, Spui, Nieuw Haven and Fluwelen Burgwal. The area called Spuikwartier, which is encircled by the aforementioned bodies of water, was for a very long time The Hague's harbour for the canal-shipping trade. Around 1900, the area fell into a state of decay - partly because of the changed transport structure (industrialisation and motorisation of traffic) - and options were sought for possible redevelopment or demolition. Ultimately, the alignment of the Herengracht and Fluwelen Burgwal survived the ravages of time.

1908
Berlage formulated the first reform plan for the Spuikwartier.

1912
Decision to break through the Prinsengracht to the Fluwelen Burgwal. This plan was never implemented in its entirety due to the crisis in the thirties and further decline ensued, partly as a result of the Second World War.

1920
First new development on the Grote Marktstraat.

1936
First new development on the Fluwelen Burgwal.

1946
Dudok formulated the first official plan for large-scale renovation.

1957 and 1970
New structure plans appear.

1963
Project developer Reinder Zwolsman commissioned the Italian Luigi Nervi to design a 140 - metre-high skyscraper on the current site of ‘De Resident’. The Council of State rejected this plan.

1975
New development around Kalver- and Turfmarkt. Buildings on the Muzenstraat demolished.

1982
Carl Weeber’s new plan.

1983
The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries showed interest in the area, the so-called LaVi parcel.

1986/1987
This plan was rejected due to financial reasons.

1988
The Hague Municipality, the Government Building Department, the ABP and the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways) resolved to perform a study into city planning possibilities for the area between Babylon and Nieuwe Kerk, the so-called BaNK district. Professor Rob Krier was appointed city planner for this area. MAB acted as independent project bureau.

1991
Professor Krier’s strategic plan, which includes the sub-district of parcel LaVi, was adopted.

1992
MAB is the developer involved in the plan and it worked on refining the plan into a Master plan. The Council Committee gave the green light at the end of 1992. The name LaVi parcel was abandoned... and ‘De Resident’ was born.

1992-2002
The development standards that de Resident must reach were laid down in the LaVi-Site Master Development Plan of 1992. Under MAB's direction a design process was set in motion to translate these ambitions into reality.

During this phase the initial designers, the workshops architects, were joined by the American architects Cesar Pelli and Michael Graves, the Italian architect Adolfo Natalini and the Dutch architect Thon Karelse. The Hague firm of CH&Partners was also added to this talented, international team for the design of the public areas. Rob Krier and Sjoerd Soeters form part of the design team but also had the responsibility for monitoring the quality and progress of the overall design process.

MAB inspired the architects to new heights, stretching them to the limits of their creativity, both individually and collectively. The result of this design process is an inspired combination of urban design, architecture and functionality.

The construction of the Resident started in 1996 and the whole project was realised in 2002.