The Noorderstaete office complex in Assen will undergo a metamorphosis in the coming years. It is being transformed into a small residential area with 62 rental apartments.
The Noorderstaete site with four office buildings is sandwiched between Europaweg-Noord, Groningerstraat and Smetanalaan. Thijs van Bree of Vastgoed Groningen Projectontwikkeling wants to redevelop the area in phases into a residential area.
He has owned Noorderstaete for a while, but first had to consult with the municipality about what could be developed and what was particularly needed in Assen. “It has been agreed that sixty percent will be social rent. This means a rent of around 800 euros. Forty percent consists of somewhat more expensive rental apartments, with a larger surface area,” says Van Bree.
According to Van Bree, the floor area of the dozens of rental apartments varies between 46 and 80 square meters. “There will be a mix in terms of target groups, because the living space is suitable for single-person households, double-person households, but also for young families.”
The project developer cannot say when the transformation of the Asser office complex will start. “The agreement with the municipality to be allowed to convert is in place. The next step is the environmental permit, which we will submit at the end of this month.”
But then get to work very quickly, that will not happen, Van Bree reports. “The market conditions are not good enough. Construction costs are still extremely high, and there is a shortage of personnel. We are in no hurry.”
According to the developer, immediate residents of Noorderstaete have now been informed at an information meeting. “The reactions to this evening were positive, especially if we really design the site as a separate residential area. We will ensure that. There will be bicycle sheds, both outside the building and indoors, there will be greenery and there will continue to be sufficient parking spaces for cars from the future tenants.”
The conversion will also take place in phases. “We still have to deal with current lease contracts from companies in some office spaces. We respect them.” The conversion of Noorderstaete into a residential area is ‘a million-dollar job’. It is still unclear when everything should be ready.
text continues below the photo