‘Het Werkspoorkwartier’ hangs in festive lights from the railway bridge above the Julianaparklaan. I always found it a bit strange. Because the Werkspoorkwartier sounds really hip, but isn't that just where the tip and other industry are? I mainly knew it from all our renovations. Queuing up and unloading your rubble. But there's more to it. And no, not just Kidzcity.
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History of the Werkspoorkwartier
The Werkspoorkwartier is the area between the Cartesiusweg and the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal in Utrecht. There used to be lots of factories in this area. A real piece of industry. In the last century, up to the 1970s, railway carriages were produced here. The Werkspoorkathedraal is one of the few halls from the Werkspoor era that has been preserved.
In 1913 the company Werkspoor set up on the edge of Utrecht. It was originally an Amsterdam company. The company made railway vehicles and steel structures. At the time, the area still belonged to a neighbouring municipality of the city of Utrecht. In its heyday almost 6,000 people worked there. These people mainly went to live in the Elinkwijk and the Lessepsbuurt. In the Elinkwijk you can still recognise a number of street names from the time when Werkspoor was based here.
The ‘Werkspoor’ factory was once Utrecht's largest employer. They built not only for the city, but for other countries too. The tall chimney was the landmark. However, the chimney actually belonged to the ‘ontspanningsgebouw’ (recreation building). This was home to the staff association. It's now listed cultural heritage and has been restored to its former glory.
Video: Circular new build - The power of the collective
Source: YouTube, USI Utrecht Sustainability Institute
Video: Utrecht's Werkspoorkwartier needs to attract tourists
Source: YouTube, RTV Utrecht
Food and drink
OK, I knew that Werkspoorcafé de Leckere is there. Who doesn't know it? A nice café by the water. In my student days we also had the odd gala at Central Studio's, and even the occasional business event. I also knew the Werkspoorkathedraal, mainly because of the Van Riet lawyers' festival.
But did you know there's a lot more to be found there these days? The cafés and restaurants you'll find there all have a bit of a raw edge. Exactly the atmosphere that suits the neighbourhood and its surroundings. You'll find café Warmoes, De Nijverheid and de Nar. Each and every one an idiosyncratic hospitality concept with room for art and culture.
A new hotel
It's not just these cafés and restaurants you'll find in the Werkspoorkwartier. A hip hotel is coming too. It's meant to be a hotel where you come together and meet people. The owner, Sley Popal, said the following: ‘What attracts me is the diversity in this area; you can't stick a single label on it. It's not a business park, but it's not a recreational area either. I'm very curious to see which direction this area will take, and I'm happy to contribute to it. I see the Werkspoorkwartier of the future as the Silicon Valley of Utrecht. A place where creative enterprise, sport and leisure set the tone. Few or no lorries, but lots of craftsmanship and leisure. A place all of Utrecht can be proud of.’
Creative entrepreneurs
More and more creative entrepreneurs are settling in the Werkspoorkwartier. The Werkspoorkwartier is a breeding ground for everyone! Gyms, car garages, artists, musicians, bike repairers, but offices too. You'll find the most beautiful studios, ateliers and workshops here. Creative and innovative businesses inspire each other. How cool is this place? It sometimes looks like a bit of no man's land, but if you look further you'll see what an inspiring place the Werkspoorkwartier is. Could the Werkspoorkwartier become just as big a hit as Strijp-S in Eindhoven?
Did you already know the Werkspoorkwartier is such a hip place? Would you like to live nearby, in the Schepenbuurt, Zuilen, Daalsebuurt or Elinkwijk? Then take a look at our listings.
