Say Overvecht, and people often think of the many blocks of flats and the grey streetscape. But Overvecht is actually one of the greenest neighbourhoods in Utrecht.
Contents
- 1. The greenest neighbourhood in Utrecht
- 2. Lots of amenities
- 3. Surprising places to eat and drink
- 4. Developments
- 5. Cheaper homes
I used to work at Lauteslager Makelaars. We had a box full of brochures from old new-build projects there. In them I saw that, when the neighbourhood was being built, the homes were more expensive than those by the Wilhelminapark. You wouldn't have thought that, would you?
Photo: Robert van Rooijen
1. The greenest neighbourhood in Utrecht
The neighbourhood is surrounded by polder and has several parks within it. Every resident of Overvecht can get some fresh air in nature during their lunch break or on an evening walk. Lovely, now that so many of us work from home! Overvecht has a shared garden, ‘Het Groene Lint Overvecht. It has all sorts of places for sport, play and exercise. There are also three large city parks. Overvecht also has 3 large city parks: Park de Watertoren, Park de Gagel and the Vechtzoompark. Each park has its own style and atmosphere. The Vechtzoompark, for example, consists of natural planting. In Park de Watertoren you can enjoy beautiful ponds. In Park de Gagel you can discover 3 different gardens. Or visit one of the historic forts around Overvecht: Fort Blauwkapel, Fort aan de Klop or Fort de Gagel. And you're at the Loosdrechtse Plassen or the Maarssenveense Plassen in no time.
Photo: Robert van Rooijen
2. Lots of amenities
In Overvecht you get the perks of the city without the downsides. The city on one side and the polder on the other: Overvecht has a bit of everything. And speaking of markets: every Thursday you can head to the neighbourhood's own market with fresh, local produce! Overvecht has its own shopping centre, where supermarkets, chemists and clothes shops offer everything you could wish for. But you'll also find several smaller shopping centres in the neighbourhood. So the shops for your daily groceries are always close at hand. On the edge of Overvecht there are several sports fields and, not to be forgotten, Utrecht's ice rink! Overvecht also has several swimming pools; Zwembad de Kwakel, with 5 different pools, is probably the best known. But if you do fancy getting out of the city, from the neighbourhood you're on the A27 in no time, or via the ring road you're on the A2 within five minutes. And from Overvecht station you're at Utrecht Centraal in no time, and from there you can go anywhere.
Photo: Robert van Rooijen
3. Surprising places to eat and drink
Overvecht isn't just green; it also has some surprising places to eat and drink. At garden centre Steck, which has loads of great plants, you'll find garden café Noordertuin, where you can pick a nice spot both inside and outside. They serve local produce here. In addition, in 2022 the Watertoren (water tower) will be redeveloped with homes, office space and community facilities. Next to the Watertoren, a hospitality pavilion will be built where you can go for a bite and a drink. The Oproer brewery will also settle in Overvecht after its current building was destroyed by smoke damage. At Oproer Biercafé 2.0 you can eat, drink, hold meetings or throw a party. What's more, a stage will be made available for events organised by local initiatives.
Photo: Robert van Rooijen
4. Developments
In Overvecht they're not sitting still. There's a lot of redevelopment going on. In the area around Winkelcentrum Overvecht, between 1,500 and 2,500 homes are being built and the area is being made greener. For example, around 310 new homes are being built on the Ivoordreef. From social rental homes to owner-occupied homes. Another 180 homes are coming on the Vader Rijndreef. In recent years, housing associations have been converting many blocks of flats in Overvecht into modern and luxurious apartment complexes. The Watertoren is also getting new homes, offices and a hospitality pavilion.
Central government is also contributing to the neighbourhood's development through the Woningbouwimpuls (a national fund to speed up housebuilding). No less than 13 million euros has been set aside for building more homes and improving the living environment. As a result, mid-rent homes will also become available over the next 10 years, and there will be more opportunities to buy a house in Overvecht.
5. Cheaper homes
The apartments and houses in Overvecht are generally spacious. The neighbourhood itself is spaciously laid out too. There's plenty of room and greenery between the homes. In Utrecht, the average price per square metre for a terraced house is €5,246. For an apartment smaller than 80 m2, the average price per square metre is €5,496, and for an apartment larger than 80 m2 it averages €4,756. In Overvecht, terraced houses average €3,719 per square metre. For an apartment up to 80 m2, an average of €4,286 per square metre. And apartments larger than 80 m2 average €3,415 per square metre. So prices are considerably lower than for apartments in the rest of Utrecht. With all the developments, we expect homes in Overvecht to become more and more attractive.
Have you got excited about Overvecht too? Take a look at our listings.
