The plot where Het Duet will be is located between the Gerrit Rietveld Academie and the De Fred residential building, and between Fred. Roeskestraat and the Zuider Amstelkanaal. The plot became available in 2021, when the British School of Amsterdam relocated to Havenstraat. A year after that, we temporarily landscaped the plot as a small park and play area. It is now time for the next phase. After the trees have been cut down, some cables and pipelines need to be moved and construction work can then begin. There will be some 177 social rented apartments in total.
Tree 940000
We have already cut down 16 trees on the plot. One tree, tree 940000, remains in place. It is a Canadian poplar located in the north-west corner of the plot. ‘The period for appealing against the felling of this tree started later than for the other trees, because we first had to process a notice of objection,’ says project manager Mathijs van Eeuwijk. ‘That objection has now been declared unfounded by the Zuid city district executive board, but the appeals period is still continuing. We are waiting for it to end before we proceed to cut down the tree.’
Replanting obligation
In order to cut down 17 trees, the City of Amsterdam is obliged to plant 21. Van Eeuwijk: ‘So far, we have been able to include 19 trees in the provisional design for the public space around Het Duet. We hope to be able to plant the other two trees on the canalside next to the Zuider Amstelkanaal.’
Construction road
As far the construction work on Het Duet itself is concerned, Van Eeuwijk and his team envisage quite a few challenges. This includes the construction traffic. ‘We intend to build a construction road alongside the Zuider Amstelkanaal. We would prefer not to use freight traffic in Fred. Roeskestraat. The road is popular with cyclists, partly because of all the schools in the street. So, we’re hoping to create a route leading from Amstelveenseweg behind the buildings on Fred. Roeskestraat, alongside the Zuider Amstelkanaal.’
Ginkgo biloba
Whether that will work out remains to be seen. This is because this is the location of a landmark ginkgo biloba tree that will also be staying. ‘That tree must not be allowed to get damaged. It has an enormous root system that has branched out on the surface, instead of deep in the ground. An independent agency specialising in trees is currently exploring the possibility of protecting the tree and going ahead with the construction road. If that doesn’t work out, we’ll need to come up with a new plan.’
Planning
The construction firm Hillen & Rosen is currently in the process of applying for the permit to build. As part of this, objections against two permits previously granted are currently being processed, which is making it difficult to proceed with planning, says Van Eeuwijk: ‘We’ve already faced delays as a result of previous procedures. Depending on what happens, we hope to be able to begin construction at the end of October 2025. Completion would then be likely to follow in the first quarter of 2028.’ In late September, we are organising a residents’ meeting about Het Duet. Invitations will be sent out to local residents.
Het Duet
On 19 December 2022, the City of Amsterdam and the Eigen Haard housing association signed an agreement for the construction of 177 social rented apartments. Around half will consist of independent or group housing for the elderly, with social amenities on the ground floor, such as first-line care or a GP. The regular social rented apartments vary in size from 45 sq. m. for single people to 90 sq. m. for families.
Share article:
Give your opinion
Get in touch with us