Municipality of Hengelo, VanWonen and HMO tackle Lange Wemen
News item, Inner-city projects
The municipality of Hengelo, in close collaboration with area developer VanWonen and Herstructureringsmaatschappij Overijssel (HMO), plans to develop the area adjacent to the new city hall and turn it into a new part of the inner city. This involves an area development of approximately 110 million euros. This will mark a new start for the Lange Wemen project in Hengelo. To make this plan possible, a key condition is the purchase of the Thiemsbrug shopping centre by the municipality and its subsequent resale to HMO. VanWonen will buy the land of the restaurants area and the temporary car park Kloosterhof.
The plan is still under development, but on the whole there are ideas for what it will consist of. The current car park Thiemsbrug will be moved underground. This will be a two-level car park at the location of the current, temporary car park Kloosterhof beside the city hall. Above the car park there will be shops, to replace the current Thiemsbrug shopping centre. Above the new shopping centre, there will be room for apartments. Once this phase has been completed, the current Thiemsbrug car park and shopping centre can be demolished. At this unique location in the city centre, a new and beautiful residential area with ground-oriented housing and apartments will be created. Welbions will also play a role in the development of these housing construction plans. Alfred Bolks, chief executive officer of VanWonen: ‘In Hengelo, VanWonen is well known for the development of the Seahorse site and sees this location as a wonderful continuation of that project.’
Quality impulse for the inner city
In close collaboration with VanWonen, HMO and various other parties, Hengelo continues to work towards a more compact and lively city centre. Alderman Gerard Gerrits: ‘Since the publication of the Action Plan in 2017, we have been working towards a city centre that is future-proof: more attractive, greener, more compact and with more housing. Everything comes together in the Lange Wemen project. And at the right moment. A milestone for Hengelo. I applaud the ambition and willingness to invest of all parties involved. It shows confidence in the developments that are currently taking place in Hengelo.’
Much less retail space
The former plan for Lange Wemen dates from 2011 and involved adding approximately 8,000 m2 of retail space, in addition to the Thiemsbrug shopping centre. That is not realistic anymore. Compared to the existing zoning plan, the new zoning plan will contain about 10,000 m2 less gross floor area (GFA) of retail. Compared to the current situation, the retail surface area will decrease by 2000 m2 GFA. Monique van Haaf, member of the provincial executive of Overijssel, is also pleased with this development: ‘Reducing the retail surface area in favour of strengthening the development of residential housing, climate adaptation and spatial quality is entirely in line with the province's objectives as set out in the regulation Space, Housing, Retail.’
Role of VanWonen
It is an ambitious project in which various parties play an important role. The development location Lange Wemen is partly owned by developer AM from Utrecht. Since Hengelo is currently not within AM's focus area, AM has transferred its location to VanWonen. VanWonen is an enterprising area and property developer that offers independent solutions to complex issues in the field of housing. Tom Munter, development manager at VanWonen: ‘As a dedicated area developer, we would love to make a contribution to Hengelo. Lange Wemen is an important location in the city centre and with the proposed development, Hengelo can take the next step in the course taken in recent years.’
Role of HerstructureringsMaatschappij Overijssel
HMO is closely involved in the area development of Wetplein (including Lambertuspassage). Together it was concluded that the development of Lange Wemen also fits well with the objectives of HMO. HMO has indicated that it would like to play an important role in this development, together with the municipality and VanWonen. If the municipality purchases the shopping centre, HMO is prepared to set up a fund that will take over the shopping centre from the municipality within six months and will manage the commercial activities. HMO was established by the province to assist municipalities with area developments that are difficult for municipalities and market parties to undertake. Han Wiendels, director of HMO: ‘We are pleased that, through the purchase of the Lambertuspassage and a role in the new Lange Wemen project, HMO can play a decisive role in the improvement of Hengelo's city centre.’
Start of restaurant area
The redevelopment of the Lange Wemen location will start with the development of the restaurant area by VanWonen. The plan for this area is currently being developed. Restaurant chain De Beren has reserved approximately 550 m2. For the remaining 300 m2 of the restaurant area, VanWonen is currently involved in meetings with interested parties.
Planning
The city council of Hengelo must first approve the acquisition, of course. It is on the agenda for the council meeting of the 23rd of June. The development planning process for the rest of the Lange Wemen area is expected to be started after the summer. Local residents and businesses will be involved. The realization of the entire project will take several years.
