Varied urban neighborhood tailored to its surroundings

VOF Entrepothaven (AM/Dura Vermeer) is realizing on the former Oranjeboom site in Rotterdam, on the east side of the historic Hefbrug, an area development with approximately 300 homes for singles, starters, two-income earners and families. The Hefkwartier will be an attractive neighborhood where young and old come together in a new living community. In an urban setting of enclosed blocks, robust and intimate at the same time.

Construction started in 2016 with 22 ground-level homes; the realization of the Hefkwartier is now in the final phase. In December 2020, the sale of homes in the second-to-last phasing DYZ began. This consists of apartments, single-family houses and townhouses. The final phase (X) contains apartments on the Nassaukade in a later added, recognizable residential tower overlooking the water of the Koningshaven, the Noordereiland and 'De Hef'.

All the homes were designed by Helen Zhang and Jeroen Simons of Inbo. "The first phases have already been occupied, of course, and because of this there is already plenty of liveliness in the neighborhood," says project developer Ilse Brouwers of penciller AM. "The term community is not an empty slogan in the Hefkwartier. This is a tough neighborhood, initially for pioneers who consciously choose the city and are now permanent residents who want to move on within the neighborhood."

Delft sidewalks

The single-family homes in the heart of Hefkwartier have gardens. The three-story terrace homes have three bedrooms, indoor storage and a roof terrace. The four-story townhouses come standard with four bedrooms, panoramic windows, a large attic and a garden. Living areas in the Hefkwartier range from about 55 to 175 m², with prices in the mid-range and above.

Much attention has been paid to appearance, detailing and public space. For example, in the heart of the neighborhood a playground has been designed with input from the residents and many streets have been designed car-free. "A lot of attention has been paid to the plinth level, so that there is liveliness on the street in all places in the area," says developer Rob Langerak of Dura Vermeer. Architect Helen Zhang, involved in the design from 2016: "For example, the ground-level homes feature Delft sidewalks on the car-free residential streets, a social concept that provides space for meeting. Residents can place their own benches and plants in front of their homes. In the summer, everyone also sits outside."

Recognizable elements

The neighborhood has a wide variety of styles: clunky on the waterfront, intimate on the interior and continuous avenues on the exterior. The designers paid particular attention to customization and branding. "There are recognizable elements that refer to the Hefbrug, such as the design and steel tableaus in the facades," says Brouwers. Langerak: "The skyline of Rotterdam is always in sight. You can even see the Erasmus Bridge." Zhang: "From a pioneering spot, this has now become a desirable place to live for Rotterdammers. "All homes in the Hefkwartier are being realized by Dura Vermeer Bouw Zuid West. Logistically, the final phase of construction is becoming increasingly challenging, says project manager Bart de Wilde. "After completion of each phase, the available construction site becomes increasingly limited. The tower of phase X is now under construction on a very tight construction site, and that requires extra attention to safety and construction technology."

Varied city neighborhood

This final phasing will be completed in 2024, and then the Hefkwartier will be finished. The developers and designers seem to have succeeded in giving a challenging site with industrial history and a hefty building volume the desired function: a diverse urban district on the New Maas. "The seclusion of the building blocks makes for quiet, safe residential streets," says Brouwers. "But of course it remains a tough neighborhood. That combination produces something special for Rotterdam."