Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
Bouwgroep Goesten has been engaged in new construction, remodeling, additions, renovations and restyling since 1979. Following various logistics and (detached) housing projects, the Kerkdriel-based construction company recently realized a new hotel on the Steenenburg estate near Nieuwkuijk, as part of the redevelopment of the former ‘Land van Ooit’ site. In addition, the aging Steenenburg Castle was carefully renovated and expanded with a glass conservatory.
With a festive push of a button, Steenenburg Castle officially opened on September 25. The former Pink Castle, which is part of Libéma, has been transformed into a restaurant, hotel and meeting location. Bouwgroep Goesten has been Libéma's house contractor for several years. “Commissioned by this leisure group, we have realized a new four-star plush hotel of 2,400 m2 GLA, with space for 56 DeLuxe rooms and suites and a luxury gym,” says Dennis van Engelen, project manager at Bouwgroep Goesten. “Below is a 350 m2 basement with the technical areas and general areas for (linen) storage. We started construction in May 2024. At the base of the hotel is the concrete basement, in combination with a beam foundation, while the ground floor is a system floor with insulated hollow core slabs on the one hand and wide slab floors on the other. On top of this, sand-lime brick walls and wide slab floors are used.”
The building is enclosed by an imposing curtain wall of 135 m1, with a height of 9 meters, says Van Engelen. “A beautiful piece of engineering, which also applies to wokkel-shaped floor stairs. This eye-catcher is clearly visible from both the garden and the renovated castle and is very nicely lit at night.’
On September 1, Bouwgroep Goesten delivered the hotel completely and with a high-quality finish, including floor coverings, wall finishes and sanitary facilities. “During construction and under our coordination, even the loose interior was already put inside,” Van Engelen illustrates. “This allowed the first trial sleeping sessions to take place as early as the weekend after completion.” The hotel is a true ‘sleep house,’ he emphasizes. “For the restaurant, bar and lounge, guests can go to the castle, which was radically renovated and rebuilt by us. After all, years of vacancy in particular had left its mark.”
When amusement park Land of Ooit went bankrupt in 2007, Steenenburg Estate came into the possession of the municipality of Heusden. It had only carried out hull repairs since then, turning the interior into a ruin. The building was not suitable for a hotel, because of the wooden floors and the noise pollution that would cause. But it did lend itself very well to meetings, courses and healing sessions. Under the supervision of the Municipality of Heusden, a facade restoration was carried out, replacing the characteristic pink color with a more historic look. Then, between October 2024 and July 2025, Bouwgroep Goesten renovated the interior of the building in style into six meeting rooms and a bar & lounge.
“We have largely demolished and rebuilt the interior, with respect for the past and the comforts of today,” Van Engelen says. “For example, the entire ground floor was replaced with an insulated ground floor with underfloor heating. In addition, each room has received modern air treatment. In combination with extensive insulation facilities and heat pumps, the castle functions all-electric, with the exception of two gas fireplaces that still stand as decorative elements in the bar & lounge.”
Several historic elements were retained during the renovation, including the monumental beam structures, two ceilings with wood trim and a ceiling with coarse stucco trim. “And we also completely renovated the staircase and balustrade. The same goes for the distinctive skylight with trim above the main staircase and the roof structure in two upstairs rooms.” A new 300 m2 conservatory with sedum roof was built at the rear of the castle, housing Orangerie Steenenburg with 120 seats. “By creating a large skylight at the junction of the extension and existing building, daylight still shines very nicely on the existing facade,” Van Engelen said. “This does honor to the monumental castle on every level.”
