former premises of the Labour Council, dating from 1930

This 1930s building, strikingly and carefully detailed, has got a second lease of life due to re-allocation from its former office status to become a residential building for young people and starters, with studio apartments and independent housing, and with an underground car park. Rented accommodation has been created in 73 units for young people. A study was carried out in a number of phases to determine the suitability of this building for such a transformation. This study was the responsibility of a multidisciplinary team, so that we had as much information as possible in an early a stage as possible.
The collective area, including the original hall with counters, has been turned into a multifunctional area where possible, in which the emphasis lies on communication, both internal and external. The volume has been adapted and transformed at strategic points, so that deep and impractical areas have become a very special living environment. Added volumes have been given other details and a different look, so that old is easily distinguished from new. The facades on the public road side have been left untouched where possible. The only alteration here is the entrance to the basement. At the rear, the courtyard garden, an extra storey has been added to the rear facade, up to the roof.
The existing building dates from 1934 and was designed by Hooykaas, Lockhorst and van Wijngaarden; becoming a municipal monument at the time of its construction. Besides the renovation work, there has been restoration of parts of the building, the central hall and the facades, while historic details were to be respected and repaired.
Acquired as the result of a multiple assignment.