Rotterdam in development

39 R O T T E R D A M I N O N T W I K K E L I N G | 2 0 1 8 A future imagining of the homes and the community garden. Experience history. Taste freedom. behind that we would build new homes. There’s nothing of the cells in the homes any more, and of course they benefit from new-build quality.” PROMISING NEIGHBOURHOOD The homes are intended for affluent families, whom Rotterdam is keen to attract. Robin: “In Rotterdam, the Old North is one of the more promising neighbourhoods. We designed the further development of the plans with that joint view.” Leendert: “The interest in the new homes was overwhelming, which means we will soon start building.” The homes have a spacious layout. Robin: “If you love history and climbing stairs, you’ll get your heart’s desire here. The B, C and D wings are vertically split into back-to-back, ground-level homes. An exception to this are the homes at the ends, which extend across the entire width of the wing.” Each home is two or three cells wide and five storeys high. Robin: “The cell complex still has a recognisable character. This layout creates very atypical floor plans, which make these homes special and unique, especially considering what you can get in this market segment in Rotterdam.” The floor area of the 57 homes varies from 60 m 2 to 120 m 2 in A-wing, and in the other three wings from 165 m 2 to 300 m 2 . The smaller homes are found in the lowest wing, which is no longer in its original condition from 1872 thanks to bombs dropped during World War II. The next phase (phase 2) includes the demolition and construction of the former remand centre (Huis van Bewaring) , which will encompass 31 city apartments, while the third phase will tackle the former court gate/women’s wing and the administration building for the complex. Plans are also currently being drawn up for the former chapel and the two prison warders’ houses on the site. The monumental prison complex in the Old North is expected to be transformed in 2.5 years’ time from a closed-off environment into an open, green living space where you can enjoy living, working and relaxing.