Social ('senior citizens’) housing in Fred. Roeskestraat

During the very-well attended meeting, the draft design created by Zecc Architecten was presented. Although not the final version, the design gives a good impression of what can be expected. Both blocks rise gradually in height and are several floors lower in places, making them look less imposing and also having a positive effect in terms of the lines of sight and sun exposure of the existing housing in the adjacent De Fred building. The level areas this creates on the second and sixth floors will be used for planting (green façade). The need for social housing (including for the elderly) was clearly demonstrated by the questions and responses during the meeting.

The City of Amsterdam will be landscaping the public area around the buildings and presented its initial plans for this at the meeting. The public space around the two apartment buildings will have a green landscaping/look and feel. This will match the green banks of the Zuider Amstelkanaal and Fred. Roeskestraat with its numerous plants and mature trees in and alongside the street. The residents from the adjacent De Fred building were well represented at the meeting and also made suggestions for the landscaping of the street between the future building and De Fred.

The sketches presented during the meeting are still in a very early phase. These designs will be developed and finalised in the year ahead. The local neighbourhood will also be involved in this process. The environmental permit application for the construction plan will be submitted next year. Preparations for construction will begin in 2025 and last around three months. Construction will then start on the housing, which will take about two years. We expect the housing to be completed in the second half of 2027.