SDK Vastgoed to redevelop former PostNL site in Den Bosch
Area developer SDK Vastgoed (part of VolkerWessels) has been selected to transform EKP-terrein Noord, a 4.5-hectare site near the railway line in Den Bosch that used to be a PostNL logistics hub, into a lively and creative area for living, working and learning. The redevelopment plan provides for 75,000 square metres of space for homes and other functions. The site will be a permanent home for the AKV|St.Joost art academy as well as providing space for creative companies, bars and restaurants, workspaces and studios.
On 5 December 2019 the winner of the tender procedure was announced by the City of ’s-Hertogenbosch, NS Stations and PostNL in the former EKP hall, where the art academy has been based for a number of years now.
A creative hub
Under the plan the former EKP hall at the heart of the area will be preserved and transformed. The building, which will be named KuBus (a play on the Dutch words for Art & Business), has sufficient space for the art academy alongside creative companies, cultural events and catering establishments. In addition to this creative hub the plan provides for a varied housing programme comprising over 800 homes aimed at dynamic city dwellers and focusing on one and two-person households.
Green and car-free
The area will be green and car-free, with car parking facilities being located on the outside edges of the plan area. The design provides for spacious public areas with plenty of greenery and several squares for encounters, experimenting and events. Veemarktweg will be relocated to create a wide, green and attractive area on the banks of the river Dieze with living and recreation space. There will be a strong focus on sustainable and shared mobility, for example including a multimodal mobility hub with 24/7 access to shared electric cars and bicycles. Both residents and those living nearby will be able to use the hub.
“The development of the former Expeditie Knooppunt of PostNL marks an important step for the Noordelijke Spoorzone area near the railway. Ambitions we have formulated for this area, such as sustainability, forward-looking mobility and a lively urban living environment that is strongly embedded in the surrounding neighbourhood find expression in this great plan from SDK Vastgoed,” said alderman Roy Geers.
“We are extremely pleased that the SDK Vastgoed plan is going to realise a vibrant urban district on the banks of the Dieze close to ’s-Hertogenbosch station. With the growing pressure on cities and the need to maintain liveability and accessibility, NS and its partners are giving a new purpose to this site with an eye for all the opportunities it offers in terms of sustainable mobility and the further development of ‘s-Hertogenbosch as a hub,” said Rogier de Lint, manager for transactions and transformations at NS Stations real estate.
“We went into this with an open mind and took the initiative to give the art academy a permanent home in KuBus. We are convinced that this plan creates value for the city and the region. Together with architectural firm Studioninedots and DELVA Landscape Architecture & Urbanism we have also opted for a physical connection between the area and its surroundings,” said SDK Vastgoed director Ferdinand Gremmen.
Further elaboration of the plan will take place over the next months, with local residents and other stakeholders also being involved. The aim is for the conversion of the EKP hall and construction of the first homes to start in 2022, with the first residents being welcomed no later than 2024.
SDK Vastgoed
SDK Vastgoed (VolkerWessels) is an independent area developer operating in the southern part of the Netherlands. Knowledge, technology and creativity are brought together to create superb living environments where others can realise their dreams. SDK Vastgoed is involved in the biggest, most complex inner-city area projects in the southern Netherlands including the Paleiskwartier district of ’s-Hertogenbosch, Strijp-S in Eindhoven, Spoorzone in Tilburg, and Jazz City and Roerdelta in Roermond.