New LEI – a sight for sore eyes?

The new Landbouw Economisch Instituut - LEI (Agricultural Economic Institute) at Alexanderveld 5 will be officially opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Gerda Verburg on 11 June. The LEI was until recently housed in the NIBC building opposite the Vredespaleis. Its new premises will be the final piece in the Bofill urban redevelopment project.

Photos: www.lei.wur.nl/UK

Splendid new building 

After all the drama surrounding the initial plans for the project, the realization of this shiny new building has been achieved with the minimum of fuss. Alexanderplein and Burg. Marijnenlaan, have benefited too and are now easier on the eye and have a finished air and proper pavements and parking bays. Hopefully, all will be softened with the planting of some greenery, which should not pose a problem for an agricultural institute.

It only remains to congratulate the employees of the LEI on their new accommodation and to hope that the edifice will indeed add allure to the inner and outer ‘plein’ for years to come. According to reports, the neighbours will shortly be invited to an Open Dag, and will then be able to reassure us on this score.

AK (Auke vd Kooi)

A&W Community Newspaper - June 2008

Construction of the LEI nearing completion

4 April 2008 - Although the 2008 February deadline was not met the work on the LEI (Agricultural Economic Institute) is in its final phase. Access via Alexanderplein to Javastraat is virtually closed off making it pretty difficult for cyclists. Employees of the LEI can start packing for the move on 9 May. This will complete the final piece in Ricardo Bofill’s vision for the 'De Monchyplein' project.

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Construction on new office block on Burgemeester De Monchyplein
due to start in August 2006

There was an information evening organized on 7 June for those living in the immediate vicinity of Burgemeester De Monchyplein about new offices to be built on the corner plot Alexanderplein/De Burg. Marijnenlaan.

Rental contract signed for 5,300 m2 office space
Burgemeester De Monchyplein

De Monchyplein CV (a joint venture between Blauwhoed bv and Hillen & Roosen bv) has closed a deal with LEI (Landbouw Economisch Instituut/Agricultural Economic Institute) in The Hague for the rental of the office block to be built on Burgemeester De Monchyplein in The Hague.

This new office building to be constructed on the location of the former town hall will be the final piece of the urban redevelopment project in The Hague's Archipelbuurt. Construction will start in the third quarter of 2006 and be completed by the first quarter of 2008.

Narrowest house complete

Photos in this column: www.vriesrobbe.nl

24 May 2008 – Just a few finishing touches and the transformation of the premises that used to be Tante Sjaan’s flower stall will be complete. Compares well with blueprint.

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Conversion of narrowest house

in A&W underway
4 April 2008 - It has been a wait of 18 months for conversion work to start on 93 Bankastraat.
Signs of activity have been seen recently on the makeshift premises that once housed a flower stall and we are wondering whether the finished construction will be as attractive as the drawing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

93 Bankastraat:

narrowest house in Archipelbuurt

1 September 2006 - There are well-advanced plans to convert the single storey makeshift premises – which was once a flower-stall – sandwiched between the Wineshopper at 93a Bankastraat and Albert Heijn into a residential property with two upper storeys.

The Residents Association Archipel/ Willemspark is positive about the project as the drawings show that the design of the new building will be in keeping with the architectural style of the adjacent properties.

Custom construction work in Balistraat

Tuesday 27 November – Balistraat residents had an especially early wake-up call.

They had been informed by letter that three stories would be added to the existing ground-floor property at number 1 in the form of prefabricated units. At 5.30 enormous trailers arrived to deposit their loads and around 9.30 the first two additional stories (first and second floors) had been carefully hoisted into place. By 17.00 the roof was in position. Window frames fitted with glass were already installed in all façade panels and dormer windows in the roof. The proportions of all the new sections have been designed to fit in with the other properties in Balistraat so the completed installation looked immediately “at home” in its new surroundings.

The whole event was followed closely by the neighbours. Final work on the property will take up to a couple of months to complete.

Quirina van Hof / Photos: René Stikkelorum

November 2007 - There was much interest in the three-day demolition exercise carried out on the upper stories of number 1 Balistraat. All that remained standing was the ground floor housing the club 'de Strass', where notably business continued as usual throughout the whole demolition process!

In the past the premises was a storage place for hay to feed horses. The windowless upper space has stood empty for decades and has changed hands a number of times.

The two upper stories are to be reconstructed and an extra floor added. According to the specifications, the building will be higher but all details concerning the façade have been discussed in great detail with the building inspectorate in order to ensure that as much as possible of the original character (warehouse) of the building is retained.

The main load-bearing construction of the new upper stories is prefabricated and will be faced with dark brickwork to miror the local traditional building style of the neighbourhood. The plans were designed by The Hague architects Kroeze Ruys. What is particularly special about this project is the short time in which it will realized thus limiting inconvenience to the minimum.

Q.S.

Nov 2007 – For more than 30 years now Curaçaostraat has been used as a public thoroughfare. And for a great many of those years Barbara Michielsen from Laan Copes has lobbied for improvements to be made to the street. Curaçaostraat backs onto her garden and provides her with access to her backgate. The council has finally decided to renovate the street. This major repair programme began in the autumn of 2007. It involves the installation of a drainage system running centrally along the street with a drain cover every 40 metres, the levelling of the road surface and the repaving of the street with the original “klinkers”. This will solve the flooding problem, considerably enhance the attractiveness of the street and make it less hazardous.

Many Hague residents were shocked when the historic building on Mauritskade which had housed a swimming pool and sports school for many years was demolished.

Fortunately a new premises will be constructed above an underground car park in which the interior elements of the original pool will be adapted to preserve the atmosphere of a by-gone age.

According to Hans van Os, who bought the old premises in 1997, the swimming pool is also intended for the use of local residents; certainly not only for hotel guests. The design of architect Thijs Jan Drenth incorporates architectural style elements from the surrounding neighbourhood and the illustrations give an impression of what the new complex and pool will look like.

Hopefully this will allay some of the fears expressed by local residents.

(With thanks to Thijs Jan Drenth and Hans van Os)
QvH, Augustus 2007

Sorrows of Sumatrastraat finally over

P R E S S  R E L E A S E

Renovation of the inner courtyard at Sumatrastraat 243 - 271 will be carried out shortly, which among other things will involve repaving.

More importantly, it also include the demolition of the steel skeleton currently erected on the site in order to optimize access and maintenance work.

This means that the building plans of architect Bulhorst will definitely not be realized.

Current owner of the site, Vellinga Vastgoed BV, has always had a problem with the design and shares the objections officially submitted by those living in the neighbourhood.

As part of Vellinga Vastgoed’s social investment activities through a special foundation set up by the company to financially support development projects in Kenya, the proceeds from the sale of the demolished steel girders will go the Mwangulu Primary School in Lunga Lunga near Mombasa, “adopted” in 2002.

The Hague, 1 October 2009

Vellinga Vastgoed BV

Sorrows of Sumatrastraat

Lawsuit

On Tuesday 3 February 2009 the lawsuit 'Het Verdriet van de Sumatrastraat' brought by local residents is due to be heard at the Hall of Justiice at Prins Clauslaan 60.

Fighting a skeleton

It was supposed to have been an apartment building, but the project came to a standstill due to repeated setbacks. According to local residents, if the council had just listened to those in the neighbourhood it would never have got this far. “You can indeed call it the sorrows of Sumatrastraat,’’ says Maarten Rouppe van der Voort, who lives next door to the doomed site. “For eight years nothing happened and then a palisade-like construction was erected that did not conform to the planning permission granted by the municipal council. Since then it has just been standing there.”

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Saga of the "Sorrows of Sumatrastraat "

On 2 June 2006, the so-called "highest point" of the construction of the structural framework of the small glass and steel apartment complex at the end of Sumatrastraat, close to the corner with Koninginnegracht, was reached and summarily marked with the hoisting of the flag.

It’s now February 2007 and there has been little progress. The girder structure remains unchanged and there is no sign of any building work.
Those who pop along to take a look will see that the structure is totally out of keeping with rest of the street. No wonder that it has become a “site worth seeing’ in our neighbourhood.

There has been bitter opposition from the street residents right from the moment the plans were submitted because the design is totally out of character with the rest of the Archipelbuurt. And the fact that the architect Rainer Bullhorst managed to get this far, in spite of all the protests, still remains a mystery.

The point is that the girder skeleton appears to be 60 cm higher that indicated in the original drawings (see arrow on photo on left). This means that the structure projects above the adjacent property by 210 cm instead of 1.50 cm (photo Frank van Rossum).

In the autumn of 1999 a number of local residents, represented by Mr. Maarten Rouppe van der Voort, explained their objections to the proposed building plans during a public council meeting chaired by councillor H.J. Meijer. Unfortunately, the heated discussions which followed were to no avail. The existing original 19th-century property was demolished and the council granted planning permission to Mr. De Zoete, the developer, and R. Bullhorst, the architect. For all those present at the meeting, including the chairman, the whole building inspectorate, council members and members of the public, it was the architectural drawings and the model produced by the architect which formed the starting point on which the ensuing debate and subsequent decisions were based.

 

Above left, the street elevation of the new property to be built at 243 Sumatrastraat which clearly indicates that the beam that will partly support the roof (and projects out on the left) is level with the ridge board of the adjacent building. Above right, a drawing in which the envisaged height is the same as that of the house adjacent at 241/239 Sumatrastraat (Drawing: Bullhorst Architecten & Stedebouwers).

In November 2006 the chairman of the traffic, inner city and monuments executive, Mr. M. Norder, visited Sumatrastraat to take stock of the situation. He too found that the new building was completely out of character.

At the end of January 2007 it was shown that the structural skeleton had not been built according to the original drawings or model.

Measurements were taken and the new construction is indeed 60 cm higher than was indicated in the architectural drawings presented at the meeting in 1999. It is clear from the original plans that the beam which will partly support the roof is level with the ridge board of the adjacent building.The top and front of the new building must align with the roof gutter of the adjoining house and this is not the case. The skeleton currently projects 210 cm above the house next door whereas in the plans and model this should only be 1.50 cm.
The result is that the whole building is even more colossal than was ever originally imagined.

On 4 February 2007 a letter entitled "Het verdriet van de Sumatrastraat" was sent to chairman Norder pointing out that all interested parties in 1999 have been misled by Mr. De Zoete and Mr. Bullhorst.
Signatories of the letter, Maarten en Joke Rouppe van der Voort and Frank and Ellen van Rossum from Sumatrastraat, with the support of other residents, are carefully considering further action.

 

 

The model (left) produced by Bullhorst Architects also clearly shows that the beam which will partly support the roof (and projects out on the left) is level with the ridge board of the adjacent building.

 

 

 

Please send reactions to M.A.A. Rouppe van der Voort: rouppe@freeler.nl

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Building in Sumatrastraat underway - the flag's flying!

After much resistance, the construction of the small apartment complex at the end of Sumatrastraat, close to the corner with Koninginnegracht, has begun. Everything has gone so smoothly so far the "highest point" had already been reached on 2 June 2006 and was summarily marked with the hoisting of the flag.

However for many local residents it was "Black Friday". Those living in Sumatrastraat have managed to block the work for four years because they objected to a building of glass and steel in a neighbourhood with such an indivdual character.

However for many local residents it was "Black Friday". Those living in Sumatrastraat have managed to block the work for four years because they objected to a building of glass and steel in a neighbourhood with such an indivdual character.

During the Whitsun weekend disgruntled Archipel residents came to watch; some with their whole families from outside the city. They gathered in groups, voicing their objections and disappointment: "this can't be possible", "That this has been allowed ...", "It can't de done like this!", "Surely, it's not allowed?"

Initially they thought it was just scaffolding in front of the building but soon realized that it was the structure of the building itself. The building projects above everything else and will remind the neighbourhood for years, how this sort of thing "should not be done". The saddest thing about the whole business is that the owner was prepared to consider an alternative design but the architects did everything in their power to push through their design and in the end got their way.

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Above left, the street elevation of the new property to be built at 243 Sumatrastraat which clearly indicates that the beam that will partly support the roof (and projects out on the left) is level with the ridge board of the adjacent building. Above right, a drawing in which the envisaged height is the same as that of the house adjacent at 241/239 Sumatrastraat (Drawing: Bullhorst Architecten & Stedebouwers).

In November 2006 the chairman of the traffic, inner city and monuments executive, Mr. M. Norder, visited Sumatrastraat to take stock of the situation. He too found that the new building was completely out of character.

At the end of January 2007 it was shown that the structural skeleton had not been built according to the original drawings or model.

Measurements were taken and the new construction is indeed 60 cm higher than was indicated in the architectural drawings presented at the meeting in 1999. It is clear from the original plans that the beam which will partly support the roof is level with the ridge board of the adjacent building.The top and front of the new building must align with the roof gutter of the adjoining house and this is not the case. The skeleton currently projects 210 cm above the house next door whereas in the plans and model this should only be 1.50 cm.
The result is that the whole building is even more colossal than was ever originally imagined.

On 4 February 2007 a letter entitled "Het verdriet van de Sumatrastraat" was sent to chairman Norder pointing out that all interested parties in 1999 have been misled by Mr. De Zoete and Mr. Bullhorst.
Signatories of the letter, Maarten en Joke Rouppe van der Voort and Frank and Ellen van Rossum from Sumatrastraat, with the support of other residents, are carefully considering further action.

 

 

The model (left) produced by Bullhorst Architects also clearly shows that the beam which will partly support the roof (and projects out on the left) is level with the ridge board of the adjacent building.

 

 

 

Please send reactions to M.A.A. Rouppe van der Voort: rouppe@freeler.nl

News on Prinsevinkenpark 19

(31 May 2006)

Residents Prinsevinkenpark
The Hague, 31 May 2006

Subject:
Prinsevinkenpark 19 in The Hague

Dear Resident(s),

Following our letter of 15th March 2006, we would like to inform you of developments concerning Prinsevinkenpark 19, the former LTO building.

Residential permit
We have submitted our planning request to the Municipal Council and have been told that it will come before the committee within a few weeks. The plans are based on keeping the concrete skeleton of the original building - the rest of the fabric of the premises will be stripped - and facing this with external walls in keeping with the (historical) architectural style that is so characteristic of the Archipelbuurt. Should our initial submission be successful, a meeting and viewing of the drawings will be arranged for the local residents.

Antennae
Many residents have telephoned to let us know that they are pleased that the LTO building is to be converted into apartments. However they are concerned about the antennae on the roof. Unfortunately the original contractual agreement regarding the location of these antennae is still legally binding and still has a long time to run. However our lawyers are currently investigating the possibility of shortening the term of the contract, considering that the LTO's original agreement was for such a long period. We will keep you informed of any developments.

Should you in the meantime have any questions you are of course at liberty to contact R.P. Mullemeister, Tel: 070 - 388 31 39 or email: raymond@jpmbeheer.nl

Yours sincerely,

JPM Management & Beheer B.V.
R.P.Mullemeister

Will actrice Paris Hilton come to The Hague in the summer of 2008 to open the new 5-star Hilton Hotel? If it were up to the management of the Hilton - the answer is yes. It will be located at the corner of Zeestraat and Mauritskade, where the former PTT office building now stands. The hotel will have 183 rooms, congress facilities, 16 residential apartments and a grand café ('Barretje Hilton') on the ground floor. Next door an ultra-modern David Lloyd Sports Centre will replace the existing fitness centre. Under the whole hotel and sports centre complex there will be a parking garage for 200 cars. The budget is estimated at 70 million euros. Building plans are due to be submitted this month.

Councillor Bruno Bruins said in his initial response to the plans that he is pleased. "An asset for the city of The Hague. It is the intention that the hotel be built in the so-called 'historicized style'. A few difficult wrinkles still need to be ironed out with the Planning Board but I am confident that these will be resolved. There has been an enthusiast reaction to the plans from local residents. What is particularly gratifying for The Hague is that David Lloyd (husband of former tennis star Chris Evert) also wants to set up business next to the hotel. A number of these sports centres are doing extremely well at the moment in the UK and USA."

According to Bruins there is always room for a 5-star hotel in The Hague. "Recent market research has proved this. More and more visitors are visiting the city. The Hague is home to a large number of international organizations and also an important congress venue."

It's always been a bit of an odd man out, that office building on Bankahoogte. Yes, it might be called Residentie Hoog Banka but that's just to attract the status-seeking buyers looking for one of the makeover homes currently being built. However the odd man out is undergoing his own makeover which on the hoarding looks very promising. There are still apartments for sale but it will be a while before anyone can move in because construction is still in progress. The property developer's website is also 'under construction'.                        (photo made with mobile telephone)

www.residentievastgoed.nl

Local residents can breathe a sigh of relief: there will be no large-scale restaurant in the smalle (narrow part) Bankastraat. The former butchers shop will however shortly be smartened up a bit. Developer Rademaker Beheer & Management BV has building permission and the side of the property facing onto the street will continue to be used as a shop premises, while a wall will be built in the garden at the rear to divide the house situated there and the shop into two sepatate properties.

See this page for reports on all the efforts that have led to this extremely gratifying result.

Executive Board A/W Residents Association,19 August 2005

The Council has consulted the Board of Appeal and on the basis of the Board's advice has declared the objection lodged by the property developer groundless. Therefore the council's decision not to grant a license to open a restaurant at 93 Banksatraat will not be withdrawn.

The Residents Association and the local residents are extremely please with this decision.

Executive Board A/W 22 February 2005

The Council of State made itself clear didn't it: according to existing policy, the municipal council may not grant permission for the opening of a restaurant at 93 Bankastraat. Therefore the objection lodged by the Residents Association against granting a license was grounded. However, it appears that for the property developer this was not clear: he feels that there is reason to overlook this policy in his case because the presence of his restaurant on the site will enhance the residential and business climate of the neighbourhood. So... the case will once again be put before the board of appeal on 1 February 2005.

The council now considers - in contrast to what was first maintained - that living conditions will be adversely affected. In addition, the council judged that the investigation carried out on behalf of the Residents Association into parking in the area, revealed that the already heavy pressure on parking would only increase. The appeal board must now give its opinion on whether the license should be granted or not.

To be continued...

RvH - Feb 2005

On 4th August 2004, the Raad van State (The Council of State) overturned the decision made by the City Council to issue a catering license for the premisies at 93 Bankastraat, judging it to be invalid.

This body declared that the appeal submitted by the Archipel/Willemspark Residents Association was grounded and reversed the verdict of the ‘s-Gravenhage court dated 12th December 2003.

In compliance with the verdict mentioned above, the City Council must come to a new decision within 6 weeks.

Instead of a forty-metre high tower block on the corner of Zeestraat and Scheveningseveer, next door to the Panorama Mesdag museum, property developer MBB wants to build a luxury hotel. Last year there was enormpous protest against the planned tower block that in the winter would have cast a shadow on the dome of the famous panorama of Scheveningen.

The British Ambassador was also concened about the tower block because from the upper stories it would have been possible to get a clear view straight into the garden of the ambassadorial residence.

MBB expected so much delay because of the protests that it eventually decided to scrap the idea of the tower block. The hotel that the developer now intends to build will have 190 rooms, several hotel appartements, meeting rooms, a restaurant and a grand café. It will not be any bigger than the existing PTT office building on the site: the construction will remain the same but the façade and arrangement of the interior space will change.

The Hilton hotel chain appears to be particularly interested in running a hotel on this site and talks to this end are still at an early stage.