Rotsoord was once an industrial estate, then a run-down stretch along the quay. But now? Now it's one of the hippest places in Utrecht.
Contents
- Industrial estate
- A creative extension of the city centre
- Bars and restaurants
- Oosterkade and Westerkade
- Rotsoord
We used to go to Utrecht by boat a lot. Just before the Oosterkade and the Westerkade, the boat's canopy had to come off so we could get under the bridge. A bit of a shady spot where we'd moor. Deserted, too. A few years ago I was having dinner with my parents at de Zagerij on the water. Lovely in the sunshine with a view of the water. We moored our little rubber dinghy there. Mum looked around and wondered where exactly we were. This was such a nice spot, and we'd never been here before. I had to laugh really hard and said: ‘Mum, this is the shady spot’. She looked at me strangely and clearly thought I was pulling her leg. We'd also been to the Watertoren before, you know, that restaurant with a fantastic view over the city. Back then it wasn't as finished as it is now.
Industrial estate
Rotsoord was an industrial estate on the Vaartsche Rijn. The Vaartsche Rijn was dug in 1122 because the Kromme Rijn was silting up and people still wanted to keep the direct connection between Utrecht and Germany. Inland skipper H. Trip had a factory here where he ground the tuff stone brought in by boat and turned it into watertight cement mortar. The once so dominant tile, brick and roof-tile works are recognisable in only a few places. A small commercial building of the former brickworks and building materials trader Erven Trip & Co. still stands. Trip had been on this site since the 18th century as a transport company: shipping natural stone, limestone and coal from Germany and Belgium. Customers were also served by ship. There were trass and lime mills on the site. The shed was intended for cement storage.
Water tower ‘De Helling’ on Heuveloord has been standing since 1906. Rotsoord was mainly home to building materials businesses and tile, brick and roof-tile works. Even so, over the decades many other industries settled there, benefiting from the location on an important supply and transport route: the water. Examples include the Pastoe furniture factory and the Neerlandia wire industry.
A creative extension of the city centre
The Municipality of Utrecht has grand plans for the area around the Rotsoord site. The policy is aimed at preserving the historic structures and defining features, such as the water tower. We also want to preserve the water and the greenery. There are now no fewer than 7 listed monuments. A special area with a special character. No standard city-centre buildings. No standard concepts. But something really of its own. And have you seen the Moxy hotel yet? A hip hotel from the Marriott chain, this hotel should bring even more liveliness.
Bars and restaurants
Ever wanted to eat while looking out over the whole city? At WT Urban Kitchen in the Watertoren you can? Would you like the feeling of sitting with your children in the restaurant, at the table-tennis table or in the reception of that one lovely campsite? Then Camping Ganspoort is a wonderfully relaxed place. Play games, drink Almdudler and quickly put your children in a life jacket so you can really sit back and relax. Eat in the old Pastoe factory or eat by the water? Het Ketelhuis and de Zagerij are in the old Pastoe factory. Really recommended. It stays light for a long time there. Because the windows were placed in a special way, the workers at the Pastoe factory could keep working for longer. That gives the restaurant very special light. Looking for a really special restaurant? Then go to LE:EN, special options and a particularly good atmosphere. A good craft beer? Taplokaal Gist is there too. Want to imagine yourself in Berlin? You can! Klein Berlijn is on the Rotsoord site too. Carrying on into the small hours? Then you need to be at Tivoli de Helling. The site is on the water, which gives this area an extra special atmosphere. Especially in summer.
Oosterkade and Westerkade
Rotsoord is an extension of the Oosterkade and the Westerkade. An elderly lady who lives on the Oosterkade can still tell lovely stories about the meadows that used to be here, or the dust from the Van der Linden company. As a child I loved her stories, and when I cycle past now, I always imagine what it must have looked like then. Now this stretch along the water is buzzing and full of life. You'll find good and fun bars and restaurants here now. A book bar, Orloff aan de Kade, Broei and a really good Japanese restaurant. But also a recorder factory and a beautiful children's shop. From here you can walk to the Ledig Erf and the Twijnstraat. Two very special bits of Utrecht as well.
Ahlrichs, E.L., photographer, Source: Utrechts Archief
Rotsoord
Different from the rest, rugged, rough and above all super cosy. Not everyone has discovered Rotsoord yet. And we'd like to keep it that way. Would you like to live within walking distance of all these hotspots? Then take a look at our listings.
