Waterfront, Dalfsen | Unique in character, rich in diversity

Between the village center of Dalfsen and the Overijsselse Vecht is the Waterfront. The recently completed project concerns an inner-city development of the site formerly occupied by the old town hall and a printing company. Between 2013 and 2020, 85 houses and apartments, an Albert Heijn supermarket, two restaurants, a theater, various stores and a parking garage were built here. Commissioned by the Ontwikkelingscombinatie Waterfront Dalfsen (OCW), consisting of Loostad bv and VolkerWessels Vastgoed bv, Koenen Bouw from Emmen signed on to realize the project.

The Waterfront, built in five phases, is characterized by its characteristic classic look and individuality. Fitting into the surroundings of the village and nature, the modern homes do not stand out from the outside as new construction. Thus, the great diversity of facades defines the streetscape. At the same time, it has been possible to involve the Vecht in the area; something that fits perfectly with the objective formulated by the Dalfsen municipality.

"Previously, Dalfsen had its back to the Vecht," says development manager Dennis Damink on behalf of OCW. "That had to change. And we succeeded. With the completion of Waterfront, we have given Dalfsen a beautiful and representative face on the river. A face with special architecture and the necessary versatility. Each building, large and small, has its own look and character. Added to the beautiful location, that aspect in particular makes the project special."

Art Nouveau facades.

Winning combination

The OCW obtained the assignment after it completed a 2008 study by the municipality of Dalfsen launched competition won. "That competition included the request for a plan vision and a land bid," Damink continued. "The best combination of both would win. During the evaluation process, the residents of Dalfsen were given a big voice to help think about the best-fit infill. In the end, we won it and the agreement was signed at the end of 2009. A time, incidentally, when the zoning plan had yet to be made. One of the issues there was not to interfere with the wind catch of a nearby monumental mill. In that, too, we succeeded."

Wink to the past

Koenen Bouw from Emmen took care of the phased execution of Waterfront. Director Piet Wigboldus looks back on behalf of the VolkerWessels subsidiary: "At the time of the competition, the world was under the spell of the financial crisis. It therefore took some time before we could start." The fact that the local Woonstichting VechtHorst wanted to participate in the project through a number of rental apartments, together with Albert Heijn's willingness to invest, ensured that by mid-2013 the mooring lines could be released. Now that the work has been completed, Wigboldus also praises the mixed character of the project. "In addition to the stores, you will also find ground-level owner-occupied houses, owner-occupied apartments and social and free-sector rental housing. But first and foremost, Waterfront is distinguished by its architecture, which harkens back to the past, especially in terms of its facade. It was a nice challenge for us to realize the traditional facades from the past in a cost-efficient way. With the craftsmen of the various construction partners, we succeeded excellently."

Also challenging was the construction of a theater and adjacent grand café. While it was originally planned to house both functions in a chicory factory to be renovated, lack of space and a poor facade quality eventually led to the decision to abandon this. "Instead, we demolished the old factory and rebuilt it in the original style," Wigboldus concludes.