The Emmer Bouwbedrijf Brands announced the plans three years ago, but now the shovel can go into the ground: after the summer a start is made on the construction of the Molenhof on Wilhelminastraat. The plan involves the new construction of 92 owner -occupied apartments and three city villas.
Director Jan Brands announced the ambitious project in 2022, with the Silent Hope to start the Mega Klus two years later. But the usual procedures take more time than expected. In addition, residents of the Julianastraat underlying have lodged an objection to the construction. They fear loss of views, limited sunlight and extra traffic pressure.
Brands looks forward to that case with confidence. “The file will be treated urgently. And it will not surprise me if the council does not go along with the arguments of the local residents.” Although the case still has to be dealt with this year by the Council of State, Brands has decided to pull out part of the project in advance.
The Molenhof includes the construction of four residential complexes: three four -layer buildings along Wilhelminastraat and a similar building along Julianastraat. The center is formed by an underground parking garage (with more than 90 places) with an inner garden on top. By Brands himself described as ‘a green oasis’, with benches and space to play, such as fitness and jeu de boules. “The idea is based on the old courtyards in inner cities. From a busy Stadsstraat, you can walk into the beneficial tranquility.” This space becomes public.
The objection from local residents only applies to the northern part of the Molenhof: the part along Julianastraat. The idea is therefore to start the parking garage after the summer and then the residential complexes along Wilhelminastraat. The building permit has since been received. “I expect to be able to start the sale of those homes by the summer.”
Brands, himself an avid amateur historian, could not resist winking to the past in the plan. For example, the name Molenhof refers to the adjacent mill of Beins from the 19th century. New residents will not have to be afraid of getting a blow from that mill. In 1913 the wind giant was demolished to the position height and it now serves as a shelter for a hair salon and offices. “The idea is to broaden the adjacent Molenstraat, so that the view of the mill for local residents is increased.”
The names of the three complexes on Wilhelminastraat refer to the former activity along the street. De Florijn (24 apartments, 70 square meters) to the old ING bank, the Briquet (16 apartments, 85 square meters) to coal trader of the Bos and Pescado (16 apartments, 125 square meters) to the old fish shop that once stood there. “Sometimes radical or beautiful things have happened in the past. I always like to dive in history and find everything out. And to let that come back in our projects,” laughs Brands.
Before the building contested via the Council of State (36 apartments) on Julianastraat, Brands has devised the name Watcherie. A reference to the Brinks family who once had their nering. “They contacted me themselves when I announced the plans. I originally wanted to call that building Zion, after the famous mountain in Israel. Because many Jews lived on Julianastraat in the past.
“But actually it has been the street of extremes,” said Brands. “Because during the war years there was also a well-known NSB member who still had the Nazi Rijks Commissioner Seyss-Inquart at the time. A few doors away, the Jewish family De Jong lived in Sobibor in 1943.” Brands is still considering giving that history somewhere in the watch. “An exhibition space or something similar.”
Although the prices are not yet known, Brands expects to be able to serve a broad target group with the plan. “From young to old, we have something for everyone. From affordable to the more luxurious segment.” In any case, he hopes to be able to start soon. “The demand is high and the supply small. We therefore want to continue.”