De Vredenburg

Developer: Corio and ING Real Estate Development
Architect: Arn Meijs Public
bicycle parking facilities: approximately 700 places
Shop space: 5900 m2
Number of apartments: 76
Underground public bicycle parking: aprox. 700 bicylces
Construction: Started in the end of 2009
 

Shops and apartments building De Vredenburg

The development at the Vredenburg square will take place gradually and will start with the construction of the new shops and apartments building De Vredenburg. The name 'Vredenburg' is inextricably connected with Utrecht. The Vredenburg square and the music centre have both been named after Vredenburg castle that Charles V built in 1528 at the location of the Catharijne convent. The castle was demolished as early as in 1577, but the foundations were preserved. These remnants are now listed.

In the design, the old foundations of the castle remain clearly visible in the basement and the bicycle parking facilities of the building. The structure of the new building partly follows the old castle walls. This will create a special and permanent exhibition, paying tribute to a remarkable castle that only existed for fifty years.

The new shops and apartments building that carries the remnants of the old castle in its womb is therefore called 'De Vredenburg'. This historic name on a modern building symbolises the transition from old to new and reflects the building’s key function at an exceptional location.

The pedestrian route from the historic city centre to the modern New Hoog Catharijne runs via the Vredenburg square and along De Vredenburg. The square connects the characteristic small streets and historic architecture of the city centre with the modern and spaciously designed New Hoog Catharijne. The square and De Vredenburg will thus play a pivotal role in the Utrecht city centre, connecting the old and the new.

The design

Corio has commissioned architectural firm Arn Meijs to design the building. The new building will offer space for approximately 900 m2 of public bicycle parking facilities (approximately 700 places), 5900 m2 shop space and seventy-six apartments. The detached building will have a basic height of 20 metres with a rising floor up to 25 metres on the north side. In the basement, on the ground floor and on the first floor there will be fashion and lifestyle shops. Above these, 76 owner-occupied residences will be built, divided over 4 and 5 storeys.

ING Real Estate Development and Corio have started the construction of the De Vredenburg building in 2009.