Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
52 stylish homes now adorn the quay of the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal. The homes show a varied picture in 1930s style. Every age group feels at home here.
The homes on Oostkanaaldijk in Maarssen were built on a former industrial site. Several commercial properties filled the site, but without any activity. Until it came up for auction in 2014. Kuin Vastgoedontwikkeling then purchased the site, including an intervening 3,000-square-meter site. On the total site of 18,000 m², 14 semi-detached houses, 9 canal houses, 8 single-family houses and 21 starter-built homes rose.
Roof terraces overlooking the water.
The fact that Kuin Vastgoedontwikkeling had purchased the land did not mean that it could start work immediately. Municipality and local residents also had opinions on this. "The municipality indicated that a portion should be social housing," says Jan Kuin, general manager of Kuin Vastgoedontwikkeling. "Also on the site itself we had to have conversations. Some properties were occupied by anti-squatters. Left and right, some residents of the adjacent neighborhood had appropriated pieces of land to extend their gardens. And finally, many local residents were worried about the building plans, after which they had united in two sounding board groups. With artist impressions and a lot of diplomacy, all parties came to terms."
The homes combine the comforts of today with the atmosphere of yesteryear.
For the design of the Oostkanaaldijk homes, De Wolff & Partners drew inspiration from 1930s architecture. This style connected seamlessly with the homes in the area. The familiar dark bricks, large overhangs and roof terraces overlooking the water: it is all there and combines the comfort of today with the atmosphere of yesteryear. The large variation in the homes provides variety, while the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal provides allure.
Much attention was required to prepare the land for building. The site contained more than 10,000 m² of buildings, some above and some below ground. This had to be cleared of asbestos and other contamination to be remediated and then demolished. "There was an inventory report of everything that would be in the ground," project manager Rob Ruitenberg explains. "But by no means everything was on there. The land company encountered one surprise after another."
The canal dike homes offer beautiful views of the water.
To make the homes more energy efficient than the applicable standards, they were optimally insulated. In addition, residents could optionally choose a heat pump. "Thanks to these measures, the homes have an EPC of 0.3 or lower," says work planner Rick Botman. "That is 0.1 lower than the EPC prescribed by the Building Code." Meanwhile, all the homes have been completed and all that remains for contracting company Kuin is the paving work. "It has become a beautiful neighborhood," said a proud Jan Kuin. "The local residents are also happy with it now. They are quietly hitching a ride on the improved environment. The value of their homes has increased, while the nuisance from industrial traffic has decreased."
