For their preparatory study, the initiators went back to the 1940s and delved into old sources and aerial photographs. But nothing indicated that any construction was ever done here. A long time ago, says a slightly older resident of Zurenborg, there were ceremonial cars from a neighboring rental company, garages and… pigeon lofts. A permit was also once issued for large advertising panels on the street side. Because the passage here is very intense, partly due to the car traffic on the Binnensingel. But those advertising panels also came to an end. The plot came on the market some time ago.
So a new chapter, and it looks sunny and well thought out. Eltor, a company of two Antwerp residents with many kilometers in the real estate world, put Officieu Architects from Brussels to work on the thirteen meter facade width, which faces due south and is therefore very attractive. There will be four residential units.
Winter terraces
The flats have one, two or three bedrooms. The winter terraces are an asset: an outdoor area that you can also close to create a low-noise and sheltered spot, full of light. In the summer you can enjoy the sun and the fresh air there. The plot becomes narrower towards the rear: that is where the bedrooms will be located. There is no garage provided, but there are plenty of alternatives in the area. This location, next to the tram and train, offers the best mobi score imaginable.
Inside view. Note the winter terrace. — © Eltor
Inside, the designer and developer are focusing on the ‘nearly energy neutral’ concept so that new owners have a climate-oriented and budget-friendly position. There is plenty of interest in the owner-occupied apartments (from 357,000 euros), although the first cranes will only arrive on site after the construction holiday. Eltor does not fear any inconvenience from that other large construction site, behind the corner, where the Cogels Osylei is being thrown open from garden to garden. Eltor is located on a dead-end stretch of Uitbreidingsstraat for cars, and aims to intervene minimally in the public space during the construction phase.
Green patch
The surrounding square meters, such as the green area on the station side, will be retained. And from now on the intention is to keep this empty building plot, an urban blight in a crucial location, in good condition until the residential block is actually built. The fact that the people behind Eltor have Antwerp blood motivates them extra to complete the entire construction phase with respect for the neighborhood.
“Glad that something is happening here,” is an immediate response on a local Facebook group. “Then that dirty corner will be gone.” Or: “That place has looked like this for 30 years. It’s time they put something decent there. Too bad it’s not a school, that’s desperately needed…”
© eltor
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