Gagelhof
Utrecht
From Berberhof to Gagelhof
An example of successful re-profiling
The Challenge
- The shopping center “Berberhof” built in the 60’s has dated and has drastically aged.
- The interior of the shopping center was an example of impoverishment, a hangout for youths, graffiti, broken furniture.
- Outside shop opening times the area had a feeling of being unsafe and insecrure
Planned development
- New shopping center with a free and open atmosphere.
- To address the uneasy and unsafe feeling outside shopping hours, build 65 appartments.
Gagelhof Old
Result
- Mid-2000 submission of the planning application for the shopping center on the basis of an Article 19 procedure.
- Due to objections from a nearby shopping center and some local residents the building permit took two and half years to get approval.
- In 2002 building started.
- In June 2004, the shopping center “Gagelhof”, 106 parking spaces, 65 rental appartments and the surrounding infrastructure were delivered
- Part of the project consisted of building several D-shops these being a supermarket Dirk van den Broek, a Dirck III Dirx liquor store and a drugstore.
- The direct and surrounding residents can now visit the shopping center “Gagelhof” for all their shopping.
Gagelhof Nieuw
Gagelhof Utrecht
Result
- Mid-2000 submission of the planning application for the shopping center on the basis of an Article 19 procedure.
- Due to objections from a nearby shopping center and some local residents the building permit took two and half years to get approval.
- In 2002 building started.
- In June 2004, the shopping center “Gagelhof”, 106 parking spaces, 65 rental appartments and the surrounding infrastructure were delivered
- Part of the project consisted of building several D-shops these being a supermarket Dirk van den Broek, a Dirck III Dirx liquor store and a drugstore.
- The direct and surrounding residents can now visit the shopping center “Gagelhof” for all their shopping.
| Gagelhof Result | Perc | |
| Retail Shops | 2850 m2 | 74% |
| Public service buildings | 1000 m2 | 26% |
| Parking Spaces | 106 | |
| Apartments | 65 | |
| Total | 3850 m2 | 100% |
From Old to New : from Berberhof to Gagelhof
The new mall ” Gagelhof ” in Overvecht offers both new and existing business owners new opportunities to make a profit .
It includes more than 3250 m2 space for retail shops and services.
This is combined with the 65 private housing on the floors above , that contributes to the variety of housing offered in the district.
The old “Berberhof” shopping mall, built in the sixties, was severely outdated .
The inner center gave an impression of impoverishment :
- Hang Out places for the young
- Graffiti
- Broken street fittings.
This all contributed to an unsafe feeling outside business hours.
In 1995, Kantoorhuis NV, the company where Machiel van Duijn was a Director, after a request from the retailers association made an analysis of the problems of the mall and developed a vision for redevelopment .
Following consultation with the municipality on the terms and conditions for demolition and restructuring.
In close and very positive cooperation with the municipality a re-profiling plan of the shopping mall was made.
Reprofiling of the old situation was also in the interest of the local community .
Gagelhof mall, June 2004
The plan includes
- The shopping mall ” Gagelhof “
- Corresponding 106 parking spaces
- 65 private sector rental appartments
- Surrounding infrastructure
Total 3,850 m2,
- 2,850 m2 retail space
- 1,000 m2 for public services.
The mall is designed for daily use.
Part of the project included several D stores
- Supermarket Dirk van den Broek
- Dirck III Dirx liquor store
- A drugstore.
- A square with a ‘ fresh market , a convenience store and a florist .
The immediate and neighbouring residents can do their daily shopping in the new shopping center ” Gagelhof “.
The Result
Shopping mall Gagelhof is now an attractive shopping centre.
The location on the corner of Oranjerivierdreef and Zambesidreef, combined with the atmosphere created by an attractive square with trees guarantees an attractive and pleasant shopping experience.
In addition, the apartments combined with the shops ensure an extra lively and safe environment.
Summary (Click on a tab below) 
Planning Complete
Architects Van der Goes from Hilversum based on the redevelopment concept of Kantoorhuis made a new design and concept for the shopping mall.
An existing road (Berberdreef) was closed and the new shopping center acquired a more open and friendly character.
Nineteen retail units were built into an arc shape surrounding a landscaped plaza, adjacent to the sides of the Oranjerivierdreef, Nigerdreef and Zambesidreef.
From an urban planning perspective and to improve the quality of life outside of shop opening hours 65 apartments were included in the final design.
The final plan was for a complete renovation of the former shopping center.
Development
Both retailers and residents responded enthusiastically to the plans.
For the implementation of the plan several items needed to be arranged these included :
- Municipality boundary conditions and arrangements had to be laid down and approved by the town council.
- Department of Urban and prosperity, economic affairs, housing, urban management, legal affairs, spatial planning, the district office and the project office all had their own role in the development process.
- In mid-2000 the planning application for the shopping center was submitted on the basis of an Article 19 procedure.
- Due to objections to the planning, the process took two and a half years before construction could be started in late 2002
Temporary Shopping Center
Before the old shopping center, Berberhof, could be demolished. The supermarket and some retailers were housed in temporary Shopping Center on the Zambesidreef.
Residents could continue to do their daily shopping with little or no impact.
Competition for a New Name
The construction of the new shopping center progressed smoothly with no complications.
Soon the first structures of the new center could be visible giving an impression of the final result.
The shopkeepers association had a competition in 2003 for a new name for the mall.
The result was “Gagelhof”.
This name is very appropriate for the district and it is clear and easy to remember.
Independent retail units
The shops are divided into independent, self contained units with sizes ranging from 65 m2.
Each unit has its own entrance to the street.
Stock delivery to the supermarket and some large units is made from the rear of the mall.
The delivery and transport area of the supermarket is completely enclosed, so that local residents experience little or no inconvenience from loading and unloading.
Location
Due to its central location, the Overvecht-Noord Gagelhof Shopping mall is easily accessible to both the local residents and those from the surrounding districts.
The new Gagelhof shopping mall is successful from the start.
The population in the immediate service area of about 8.000 to 9.000 people, offers many opportunities for new initiatives.
Altogether Gagelhof Shopping Mall offers a great perspective both for residents and for the retailers alike.
