OUR BRAND
Nederlands Monumenten Bezit
Every building has a story. A soul. They are part of the history and define cultures. That is why Cobraspen chooses real estate with monumental value. To ensure the continued existence of these historic buildings, Nederlands Monumenten Bezit (Dutch Monument Property) was formed. The Nederlands Monumenten Bezit, in short NMB, is responsible for the management and preservation of these unique properties. This way, their stories can be passed on to new generations.
What
Preservation and management of unique estates
Unique
Monumental estates with a history
Where
Amsterdam, Haarlem, Overveen.
135 YEARS OF COMPLETION
Elswout Manor
After 135 years, the unfinished mansion on the Elswout estate in Overveen has finally been completed according to the original designs from 1884.
Owner Willem Borski jr. (1834-1884) unexpectedly passed away before the construction of Elswout Manor was completed. His sister, who inherited the manor, did not complete the construction. And so began the great change in use of Elswout Manor. The unfinished manor was used as a school, puppet theatre and as base by the German occupiers during the Second World War. In 1970, the property was bought by the state, who put it into the hands of the Forestry Commission. In the 1990s, the Forestry Commission launched a competition for new (zoning) plans, which was followed by 300 entries, including that of Luigi Prins. Together with architect Ray Kentie, he drew up a plan to reconstruct the manor according to the original building plans from 1884. Luigi Prins was awarded the contract at the beginning of 2000 and the huge project could begin. With perseverance and creativity, Elswout Manor has finally become what it was intended to be in 1884.
FORMER POSTAL OFFICE
Bloemendaalseweg 236-238
The building at Bloemendaalseweg 236-238 was designed in 1906 by architect C.H. Peters. Originally, this building served as a postal office with telephone switchboard. Nowadays, the building is used as a bakery, shop, and upstairs apartment.
The former postal office was built in neo-Renaissance and chalet style. This is a deviant choice of C.H. Peters considering his usual style for urban buildings. The architect felt that the chosen style was more in line with the ribbon development of Overveen. The building, with its high tower, is a defining feature for the village centre. This tower served as an access point for the telephone cables that connected the wealthy, surrounding villas to the telephone switchboard inside the building. The tower had disappeared during the war, but Cobraspen brought it back during renovations, along with other original details. With the restoration of these important features, the charm of the building has been preserved.
DETACHED VILLA
Florapark 4
In 1889, Florapark 4 was built as a detached villa, commissioned by Pieter Quarles van Ufford. The property was built in a neo-renaissance style after a design by F.G. Haitsma Mulier.
As part of the plan for the construction and development of the Hazepatersveld, L.P. Zocher designed Florapark in 1873. This field was transformed into a villa park. Eleven villas were built in the period 1880-1892, of which eight were detached and three were double. All but one of the villas are still present, most of them even in their original state. This is why the park has retained its appearance as a villa park after all those years. When the property Florapark 4 came into Cobraspen’s possession, the building was in poor condition. Therefore, it was completely renovated, retaining as many of the original details as possible.
VILLA FLORA
Florapark 7
In 1885, Florapark 7, Villa Flora, was built as a detached villa by architect L.P. Zocher as part of the plan for the construction and development of the Hazepatersveld.
L.P. Zocher designed Florapark in 1873. This field was transformed into a villa park. Eleven villas were built in Florapark in the period 1880-1892, of which eight were detached and three were double. All but one of the villas are still present, most of them even in their original state. This is why the park has retained its appearance as a villa park after all those years. Florapark 7 was designed as a residential villa in chalet style. During the restoration of this property, a valuable tableaux of floor tiles appeared. Cobraspen restored these tiles to preserve a piece of the property’s history, to go along with its new destination. Nowadays, Villa Flora is used as an office.
HEINEKEN CAFÉ
Gierstraat 78
Gierstraat 78 was one of Cobraspen’s first monumental restoration projects in Haarlem city centre. The property has a historical value that goes back to 1400.
This monumental building dates from 1600 but has foundations going back to 1400. During the restoration special archaeological finds were made. Glass from the 16th century was found in the water cellar, the oldest part of the building.
Originally, this building consisted of five houses. Later, these were replaced by a bakery and a shoemaker. Around 1900, the building was transformed into one of the first Heineken cafés. When Cobraspen acquired the property, café ‘Het Proveniertje’ was renamed ‘t Kantoor’. The current interior contributes to the new name with the (re)use of old office materials.
VILLA WELGELEGEN
Kennemerplein 2
Originally, in 1677, the Kennemer Gate stood here. Around 1870, however, the gate had to make way for the new municipal park and was therefore demolished. This was the beginning of Villa Welgelegen.
Kennemerplein 2, or Villa Welgelegen, together with its authentic wooden veranda, is one of the few villas left in this area. Most of the villas that stood here made way for the expansion of the railway in 1908. At Kruisweg 1, next to Villa Welgelegen, stood a dilapidated building. When Cobraspen acquired the property, it was in poor condition, except for the beautiful stained-glass windows which were dismantled and stored for 25 years. Nowadays, these windows can be found in the interior of Elswout Manor. The rest of the dilapidated building was demolished. Cobraspen rebuilt the property in the style of Villa Welgelegen. The current serre contains stained-glass windows by Atelier Le Nobel.
ECLECTIC VILLA
Kennemerplein 3
The villa at Kennemerplein 3 was built in 1866 after the design of architect L.P. Zocher. The villa is situated on the slope of the Haarlem de Bolwerken, a walking park in English landscape style.
The eclectic villa is a beautiful monumental building. The architectural style is derived from the Italian villa with tower, a style that was widely used in England and Germany in the early 19th century. Some of its characteristics are the irregular main form, tower formation and neo-classical detailing. The building was originally designed as a residence for the wealthy of the time. For instance, there were separate service quarters on the northeast side of the building. Cobraspen gave the villa a new destination and more space by adding an extension with a flat, zinc roof. These are in line with the authentic style of the monumental building. Currently, the villa is used a day-care centre.
FORMER FORTIFICATIONS
Kennemerplein 20
The building at Kennemerplein 20 was commissioned by the Haarlem stonemason A.M. Toepoel. The property was originally built as several residential units under one roof. Nowadays, it is used as an office.
Between 1860 and 1870, Nieuwpoort, Haarlem’s city gate, was demolished and replaced by the new city park ‘De Bolwerken’, designed by J.D. Zocher. The city park was constructed on the former fortifications on the city side. When Cobraspen got hold of the property, it was in a dilapidated state. Cobraspen took up the challenge and chose to preserve the building with the necessary restorations. For instance, a new foundation and roof were installed. The front doors of the building at Kennemerplein 20 used to be on Jansweg. During the restorations, the choice was made to change the entrance to the back of the building. This is how Jansweg 2-4-6 became Kennemerplein 20.
VILLA LOMMERRIJK
Koningin Wilhelminalaan 12
Villa Lommerrijk, at Koningin Wilhelminalaan 12, is a monumental 20th-century building. The villa was designed by architect J. van den Ban. It is characterised by the Neo-Renaissance architectural style, a popular style at the time.
In the 1960s, the exterior of Villa Lommerrijk was completely whitened. With this, part of the original beauty of the building disappeared. Nevertheless, the villa was still characteristic for the Koningin Wilhelminalaan. The villa is in fact one of a series of villas and town houses built around the same time. When Cobraspen acquired the property, it was decided to restore Villa Lommerrijk to its original beauty. The white paint layer was removed from the façade with paint stripper. The underlying bricks were taken into account, these were not to be damaged. During this restoration work, the original colours were brought back, as were the zinc ornaments and the beautiful natural stone.
KOPSKAMER
Nieuwe Gracht 74
Nieuwe Gracht 74 is included in the National Monument Register and it is not without reason. This building has a very special history, with the Kopskamer as its main icon.
The original reception room was designed around 1790 by city architect Abraham van der Hart and commissioned by the wealthy yarn merchant Willem Philip Kops. The room remained in its original location in Haarlem until 1906. In that year, the room was auctioned in Amsterdam and the interior parts and paneling went to a house in The Hague. Shortly after the Second World War, the Rijksmuseum acquired the Kopskamer. Since 1962 the room is on display in the museum, in its original Haarlem setting. From its inception to its placement in the Rijksmuseum, the room has been cherished as an art object. Cobraspen completely restored and transformed the monumental mansion on the canal. Nowadays, the building offers monumental office spaces with authentic details.
HAARLEMSE BOLWERKEN
Prinsen Bolwerk 1
The villa at Prinsen Bolwerk 1 was built in 1869 to a design by architect J.H. van Ek. The building is located at the Haarlemse the Bolwerken, a walking park in the style of the English landscape, designed by architect J.D. Zocher.
In the years 1821-1822, the old Bolwerken were transformed into a park with English influences. Prinsen Bolwerk 1 is one of the eleven villas built along this park. This eclectic villa is a beautiful monumental property, and was originally designed as a home for the wealthy of the time. The interior of the villa has disappeared over the years. Cobraspen acquired the property in 2018 and completely modernised the villa and equipped it with the latest installations. Nowadays, the property is used as a monumental office villa.
HOTEL PALAZZO
Prins Hendrikhof
The former girls’ school was built to the design of city architect Jacques Leijh. Today, the building is a protected townscape. The natural stone façade, with its impressive risalto, features Tuscan half columns and pediments. This is where the name of Hotel Palazzo originates from.
Originally, Prins Hendrik Hof functioned as a girls’ school. This is still visible today in the subtle, historical details. Years later, the characteristic building served as an authentic office. Currently, the building is being transformed into a hotel that offers guests an experience of Italian grandeur and expressionism. The hotel brings ‘La dolce vita’ to Haarlem. A place where birds of paradise can spread their wings.
MUNICIPAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS
Wilhelminastraat 43a
The Municipal School for Boys was built in 1882 in neo-classical style by city architect Jacques Leijh. One of the eye-catchers of this building is the triangular tympanum which dates from the 17th century and was originally placed in the Kennemerpoort, but preserved when this city gate had to make way.
The Municipal School for Boys was built at the same time as the girls’ school across the street. During the German occupation, between 1941 and 1943, the Jewish Lyceum housed in this building. In the 1980s, the former boys’ school, was used to store the administration of the Social Service. When Cobraspen acquired the building in 2006, it was renovated and equipped with modern office facilities. This was done without detracting from the monumental elements. For instance, the original balustrades and beautiful roof construction were preserved and restored where necessary.
FORMER SUGAR STORAGE
SugarSilos
The now iconic SugarSilo’s are located just under the smoke of Amsterdam. For decades, these towers served as sugar storage for the adjacent sugar factory. Nowadays, the Silos offer a dynamic working environment for creative companies.
The sugar factory opened in Halfweg in 1863. Beets were processed into sugar here, which was stored in the large silos. The factory was owned by the Centrale Suiker Maatschappij for many years, until its closing in 1992. Currently, the area is being fully redeveloped into a leisure area. Many historical buildings and elements will be preserved and given a new function. The name SugarCity pays tribute to this piece of industrial heritage. Cobraspen transformed the Sugar Silos into ultra-modern offices, for which they received the FIABCI prize in 2011. These unique landmarks stand out day and night, for when evening falls the towers change into a sparkling play of colors Where during the day the size and the unique windows stand out, at night the towers change into a sparkling play of colours.
FORMER BANK
Zijlweg 76
The late-19th-century building at Zijlstraat 76 was built in neo-Renaissance style to a design by architect F.G. Haitsma Mulier.
The ABN Bank and Ambro Bank used to be located separately on Zijlstraat. Shortly after the renovation the ABN Bank merged with the Ambro Bank. The newly rebuilt office, Zijlstraat 76, was therefore sold. The window frames were removed and stored for 25 years, before being used in another building. Today, the façade has two natural stone columns. This has given the building an open character that fits in nicely with the streetscape. With this adjustment, Cobraspen made the building ready for the future.
