VanWonen presents master plan for revitalised city centre of Hengelo

News item, Area and Property Development

On Tuesday afternoon, area developer VanWonen presented the Lange Wemen master plan. Directly opposite the city hall, on the site of the old Thiemsbrug shopping centre and parking garage, a new residential area will be realised, featuring shops with apartments above them, ground-oriented housing and above-ground parking. The Drienerbeek stream will soon flow above ground again, through the heart of the Lange Wemen area, and will foster a greener environment.

Lange Wemen will significantly revitalise Hengelo’s city centre. The first phase will be completed by the end of this year: the Horecawand (mixed-use development). This consists of two restaurants with 39 apartments above them. In the coming years, Lange Wemen will see the addition of shops, more than 300 apartments and townhouses, a public underground car park and a public bicycle parking facility. The Hengelo municipal council has yet to approve the master plan.

VanWonen director André ten Vergert: “We are immensely proud to be adding so much quality to the heart of Hengelo’s city centre. Lange Wemen will be an example of sustainable area development, where urban life goes hand in hand with a green and social residential environment. This new area champions cyclists and walkers, employs a smart approach to car use and ownership, guarantees enough accessible housing, and is strongly integrated with the existing inner city.”

Mixed-use inner-city development
Located in a prime and pivotal position within the Hengelo city centre, Lange Wemen is a substantial mixed-use inner-city development. Living, shopping, and parking converge here:

approx. 310 apartments, studios and ground-oriented (town)houses;
over 3,000 m² of retail space, including a supermarket;
public mobility hub for approx. 430 cars;
public bicycle parking facility for approx. 500 (up to 750 max.) bicycles.

The Drienerbeek stream emerges once again
Restoring the visibility and accessibility of the Drienerbeek stream is a major green infrastructural element of the master plan. Natural banks will be created along the stream. This, combined with the surrounding greenery, will create a park-like environment in the inner city. There will also be space for water retention in the event of extreme rainfall.

Sustainability is key
Lange Wemen boasts a socially-minded and green design. This includes generously sized meeting areas and playgrounds, alongside attractive stairwells that encourage people to be active. Biodiversity will be enhanced through ground-level planting and the creation of rooftop gardens. Rainwater will be utilized for the irrigation of green roofs and subsequently discharged into the stream. This creates a circular water system visible within the public space. Greenery on façades and in courtyards offers residents inviting green retreats and support biodiversity, while green roofs and trees reduce heat stress. The mobility hub is designed as a circular building, constructed from a modular, demountable structure.

Next steps
The municipal council will have to approve the master plan, which is scheduled for the coming period. In the period leading up to that council meeting, the master plan will be discussed during a political market session. This is an opportunity for residents and other stakeholders to voice their opinions.

Partners involved and construction
For the development of the Lange Wemen master plan, VanWonen is collaborating with architectural firms Koschuch Architects and OKRA and with Aveco de Bondt for civil engineering advice. The plan will be realised in phases, per building block. Construction of the first block (A) will start at the end of 2027. More information about the project: https://www.langewemen.nl/