VanWonen takes over Groningen City development plot from Nijestee
News item, Inner-city projects
Area developer VanWonen has acquired a development plot from Nijestee, a housing association in Groningen. The plot is 4,825 m², and is located in the lively Ebbingekwartier district, right between the Borgman School and the Kunstwerf arts yard. VanWonen is now starting the development of the plan for this location and has engaged the Groningen-based architectural firm vector-i for this purpose. A large part of the apartments in the new building will be affordable housing.
VanWonen director André ten Vergert: “Thanks to our great partnership with housing association Nijestee, we were able to acquired this site. This is the final piece of the puzzle for our Ebbingekwartier development. We are building a new part of the city in a historic location. Our plan for this location is now underway, developed in close consultation with the municipality. Community participation is very important to us. As an area developer, we have a lot of experience and expertise in involving local residents and other stakeholders.”
Collaboration with housing associations
VanWonen often forms partnerships with housing associations. For instance, the developer previously partnered with Nijestee on projects in Meerstad (De Zeilen) and the Stadshavens area development.
Rein Swart, interim director at Nijestee: “Nijestee offers housing in almost all neighbourhoods in the city. We want to ensure that housing remains available and affordable. To achieve that, we are focusing on new construction projects in Suikerzijde, Stadshavens, and Meerstad.”
Ebbingekwartier
The Ebbingekwartier is a popular urban neighbourhood located on the site of the former gasworks complex along the Boterdiep in Groningen. A diverse group of people live in unique architectural buildings on the old Circus, Boden, and Gas site, known as the CiBoGa site. The preserved monumental industrial buildings are a source of inspiration. The result is a unique fusion of enduring history and modern city living in Ebbingekwartier.
Allart Vogelzang, partner at vector-i: “As native Groningers who have been part of the Ebbingekwartier’s development from the very beginning, it is an honour to design the final phase of this area. We’re approaching the project with the same energy and innovative drive that was present when the first plots were developed. At the same time, we are bringing the high-quality, sustainable approach that is necessary now, thirty years later.”
Next steps
Over the next six months, VanWonen will develop the initial framework of the plan and start the public participation process. Local residents and stakeholders can register for this on the website www.denieuwestijlvanbloemstraat.nl. The preliminary design should be ready in the spring of 2026.
