Overvecht is the greenest neighbourhood in Utrecht, yet that's usually not what first springs to mind when you ask people to describe Overvecht. People often think of the blocks of flats and the multicultural side of the neighbourhood.
Contents
- 1. The greenest neighbourhood in Utrecht
- 2. Lots of amenities
- 3. Surprising places to eat and drink
- 4. Developments
- 5. Cheaper homes
Overvecht is named after the Vecht, the river that flows all along the neighbourhood. Overvecht was a typical example of a 1960s post-war reconstruction neighbourhood, full of high-rise with the same look and standard homes. That made this neighbourhood the ideal place for experimental housing. In the 1970s Overvecht played a major role in experimental living. The programme “Experimentele Woningbouw 1968-1980” (Experimental Housing 1968-1980) encouraged initiatives for new ways of living. All over the country new forms and styles of housing emerged, such as neighbourhoods full of small courtyards, group housing, communes and new forms of high-rise. One project within this public housing programme focused specifically on changing the standard design of blocks of flats. Instead of flats with long access galleries and a central lift, flats were built with several lifts and short galleries.
Photo: Robert van Rooijen
1. The greenest neighbourhood in Utrecht
The neighbourhood was built on marshy land. It is surrounded by polder and has several parks within it. Every resident of Overvecht can get some fresh air in nature during the lunch break or on an evening walk. From the apartments you generally look out over the polder too. Overvecht has a shared garden, ‘Het Groene Lint Overvecht’ (the Green Ribbon). It has all kinds of places for sport, play and exercise. There are also three large city parks. Overvecht 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. You're also at the Loosdrechtse Plassen or the Maarssenveense Plassen lakes in no time.
Photo: Robert van Rooijen
2. Lots of amenities
All the perks of the city, but none of the drawbacks. The city on one side and the polder on the other. Where else do you find that? Overvecht has its own shopping centre. There are plans to give this shopping centre an upgrade, with more room for homes, terraces and the weekly market. At the moment you'll find supermarkets, chemists and clothes shops there. You'll also find the AH XL here and a large Nike outlet. This shopping centre has everything you could wish for. On the edge of Overvecht there are several sports fields and, not to forget, Utrecht's ice rink! Overvecht also has several swimming pools; Zwembad de Kwakel, with 5 different pools, is probably the best known. But should you want to get 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, from where 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. In the Steck garden centre, which has lots of great plants, you'll find the Noordertuin garden café, where you can pick a nice spot both indoors and outdoors. They serve local produce here. There are plans to expand Steck further. They even want to build a small-scale hotel here. In addition, in 2023 the Watertoren (water tower) will be refurbished with homes, office space and community functions. Next to the Watertoren a food and drink pavilion will be built where you can go for a bite and a drink. The Gemeente Utrecht will also redesign Park Watertoren so that it all forms a lovely whole. 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 standing still. Redevelopment is in full swing. In the area around Winkelcentrum Overvecht (the shopping centre), between 1,500 and 2,500 homes are being built and the area is being made greener. New terraces are coming and there will be more room for the weekly market. For example, new homes are being built on the Ivoordreef, around 310 homes. From social rented homes to owner-occupied homes. On the Ivoordreef there will also be 160 social rented apartments, 75 mid-market rental apartments and 75 owner-occupied homes. The project de Mix will add another 180 homes. They want to make this part of Overvecht even greener and more liveable. In recent years housing associations have been converting many blocks of flats in Overvecht into modern, luxurious apartment complexes. New apartments, offices and a food and drink pavilion are also coming to the Watertoren.
The national government is also contributing to the development of the neighbourhood through the Woningbouwimpuls (Housing Construction Impulse). No less than 13 million euros has been set aside for building more homes and improving the living environment. As a result, over the next 10 years mid-market rental homes will also become available and there will be more opportunities to buy a house in Overvecht. But the government isn't only spending money on house building. It's also spending on developing green spaces and improving accessibility. For example, a plan is being drawn up so that cyclists and pedestrians can cross more easily around the NRU (Noordelijke Randweg Utrecht, the northern ring road).
5. Cheaper homes
The apartments and houses in Overvecht are generally spacious. The neighbourhood itself is also spaciously laid out. There's plenty of space and greenery between the homes. The neighbourhood is designed so that there's enough room to live among the greenery and make use of shared facilities. In Utrecht the average price per square metre for a terraced house is €5,150. For an apartment smaller than 80 m2 the average price per square metre is €5,329, and for an apartment larger than 80 m2 it averages €4,651. In Overvecht, terraced houses average €3,546 per square metre. Apartments up to 80 m2 average €4,046 per square metre. And apartments larger than 80 m2 average €3,314 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.
Would you like to live in Overvecht? Then keep an eye on our listings. Or ask about the options of using a buyer's agent.
