Projects by Wetland Wonen

 

Official start of construction of

14 social rental homes in Oldemarkt

Wetland Wonen, together with the municipality of Steenwijkerland, is investing in affordable and sustainable rental housing. Five single-family homes and nine lifelong homes are currently being built in Oldemarkt, specifically for village residents. Alderman Melvin Smit and Managing Director Marcel Timmerman officially launched construction on Monday, March 17, by unveiling the information board at the construction site. Future tenants and other stakeholders joined in the celebration of this milestone.

 

A festive gathering

The afternoon began at Restaurant Bij Sem, where the more than 40 guests were welcomed with coffee and tea. After a warm welcome from Marcel Timmerman and a speech by Alderman Melvin Smit, the group headed to the construction site to celebrate the official launch. Back at the restaurant, a toast was raised to a successful construction period, and the new residents had the opportunity to meet their neighbors and the project team.

 

New homes for residents from the local community

With this new construction, Wetland Wonen and the municipality of Steenwijkerland contribute to the local community.

"We are therefore thrilled that all future residents are from Oldemarkt. Ultimately, we're doing this for them," says Marcel Timmerman. Alderman Melvin Smit: "This is great for Oldemarkt. Moreover, it's a wonderful use of the site where the Oldemarkt town hall once stood. Thanks in part to the efforts of local stakeholders, 14 brand-new homes will soon be built here. And they have a unique design, too. It also offers the opportunity to create a green community space. It will be a fantastic place to live."

 

Sustainable and energy-efficient living

The new homes will be built gas-free and energy-efficient. Featuring a heat pump, solar panels, and excellent insulation, they offer residents a comfortable and affordable living environment. These lifelong homes are divided into three residential blocks and will be built as courtyard houses.

The single-family homes will be built in a block of five. All homes feature a living room with an open-plan kitchen, a bathroom, three bedrooms, a terrace, and a storage room. In the courtyard homes, the bathroom and one bedroom are located on the ground floor.

 

 

 

 

Delivery early 2026

The homes were designed by TWA Architects and will be built by Knol Bouw from Hasselt. Completion is expected in early 2026. All homes have now been assigned to their new residents. More information about the project can be found at:

https://www.wetlandwonen.nl/aanbod/nieuwbouw/nieuwbouw-oldemarkt .

Source: www.wetlandwonen.nl

 

Characterful and energy-efficient living in the heart of Zwartsluis

Wetland Wonen is working on a unique project in Zwartsluis. Here, we are transforming a healthcare complex into 26 modern, energy-efficient apartments.

In collaboration with the municipality, we're developing a residential building that perfectly meets the needs of potential tenants. Project developer Ermand Oussoren and project manager Manuel Fokkens explain how we're transforming a closed complex into a vibrant place to live.

 

A building with character   

Before the building on Baanstraat can become a true residential space, several changes need to be made. "The complex has a closed character, partly due to its original function," explains Ermand. "That's why we're making several adjustments to give it a more residential feel. By adding balconies, for example, we're creating a connection with the street. This also gives tenants a larger living space and access to outdoor space."

Inside the building, we're creating voids between the floors, creating more light, space, and connection. We're also adjusting the color schemes, softening the blue tones, giving the building a warmer, more inviting feel.

 

Compact and well thought out
The complex has 26 apartments:

Five two-bedroom and 21 three-bedroom apartments. The spaces are compact but cleverly designed. The three-bedroom apartments have two bedrooms: one large and one smaller. "This creates a spacious feeling despite their 65 to 70 m² size," explains Manuel. "These are homes with an urban character, but even in a village like Zwartsluis, there's high demand for them. This is evident from the high level of interest in the project."

 

Lots of variety and a great location

The wide variety of apartments is striking, with 17 different types. Some apartments, for example, have a rounded facade, giving them a unique look. "That variety immediately appealed to people during the open house," Manuel says enthusiastically. "We noticed that visitors already had clear preferences for specific apartments."

The location right in the city centre completes the picture.

"Shops, the supermarket, and other amenities are within walking distance," he continues. "It's great to see that people who enjoy living on the outskirts of Zwartsluis are also interested in these compact, comfortable homes in the heart of the village."

 

Sustainable living

The apartments will be completely gas-free and energy-efficient. "The facades were well insulated during construction," says Ermand. "In addition, each apartment will have its own heat pump with integrated ventilation and heat recovery. And each apartment will soon have its own meter cupboard, allowing residents to manage their energy consumption. Solar panels will also be installed on the roof. This means you'll not only be living comfortably here, but also with lower energy consumption, and your home will be future-proof."

 

Greening together

For us, sustainable living doesn't stop at the front door. We're also addressing the outdoor space. "We're going to remove two meters of paving around the building to make room for hedges, trees, and greenery," explains Ermand. "This will make the street greener and more pleasant, especially in the summer. Tenants will have their own say in this. They'll have a voice in how we design the green spaces, how we decorate the communal patios."

 

Tenants participate

At Wetland Wonen we believe it is important that tenants feel involved.

Not only when deciding on landscaping, but also during the rental process. "If you're selected, we'll invite you to make choices," Manuel explains. "Think about kitchen colors, bathroom tiles, and so on. We'll also keep you updated during construction, and you can view your home in the meantime. This way, it'll truly feel like your home."

 

Planning and allocation

Partial demolition of the complex has already begun, and we expect to complete the new apartments in early 2026. The first apartments have been available since April 29, 2025, via  www.dewoningzoeker.nl . New apartments are added weekly.

 

Want to know more?

Are you also curious about these sustainable, contemporary and surprisingly diverse homes in the center of Zwartsluis?

Or would you like to learn more about the project's progress? Keep an eye on our social media or check out the latest news on our website.  

 

 

 

Source: www.wetlandwonen.nl

 

A colorful makeover: mural and facade gardens make Weemstraat inviting again

At Wetland Wonen, we want tenants to feel at home in their street. That's why an apartment building on Weemstraat in Steenwijk received a complete makeover. Thanks to a striking mural, renovated facade gardens, and soon green planters on the balconies, the street is once again a pleasant place to live. Neighborhood manager Dionne van den Boogaard explains how the project came about and what it has brought to both tenants and the neighborhood.

 

The idea for an underpass to parking spaces
arose when Dionne saw a video of a beautiful mural on an apartment building in Zwolle. "I was impressed and showed it to my manager," she says. "Because how cool would it be if we could create something like that for our own tenants? He was immediately enthusiastic and suggested we look for a suitable location."

They explored various locations on Weemstraat and decided on the underpass to the parking lots. That spot could certainly use a touch of color. Dionne: "The municipality responded positively, and because the building belongs to Wetland, no permit was required. However, the Visual Arts Committee and the DNA Binnenstad advisory group did ask if we could incorporate Steenwijk's history into the design. They want to create more street art in the coming years that showcases the city's history."

To make this possible, the committee provided information about the siege of Steenwijk in the 16th century. Dionne: "The artist found it quite challenging, because, of course, there are no photographs from that period. I then looked up images of the Scutterie van Sint Clement in Steenwijk. The clothing in those photos gave him exactly the inspiration he needed."

 

Tenants participate

At Wetland, we believe it's important to involve tenants like Patrick as much as possible in these kinds of processes. "We informed residents about the plan beforehand, and the artist showed them several designs," says Dionne. "During a demonstration day, residents were able to vote for their favorite design and experience what it's like to work with graffiti. There was a large turnout, and ultimately, the residents almost unanimously chose the design that's now on the wall."

It wasn't just the mural that received attention. "The old, neglected facade gardens of the residential complex have also been completely renovated. And soon, large planters full of greenery will be placed on each balcony. This will give the entire building a fresh, vibrant look."

 

A boost for the street

The mural was intended to give the dark, unappealing underpass a more welcoming look. "It smelled awful, and youths were spraying graffiti," says Dionne. "By adding color and sprucing up the area, the look has completely changed. The street now feels much more pleasant and safe."

Tenants' reactions have been positive. "I expected there might be some resistance, but everyone was enthusiastic," says Dionne. "They love the mural, and the renovated gardens really complete the street." Some residents even had some remarkable reactions. "One tenant sent us a drawing they made of the building with the new facade gardens. And a 96-year-old resident, who has lived here since the beginning, asked if her old plants could stay. Of course, we made sure they could: her plants are back in the renovated facade garden."

 

Good cooperation

The project demonstrates how collaboration pays off. Wetland worked closely with the municipality of Steenwijk, the artist, and two landscaping companies to realize the plan. "Because we have close contact with the municipality, we were able to respond quickly," explains Dionne. "The municipality was also developing plans for more street art in Steenwijk. Our project fit perfectly with that."

 

Proud of the result

The mural is now complete, and the renovated facade gardens immediately give the street a well-maintained appearance. Soon, the filled planters will complete the look. Dionne: "It's wonderful to see how happy residents are. With art and greenery, you can truly breathe new life into a street."

 

Want to know more?

Want to stay informed about our projects in Steenwijk? Keep an eye on our social media or check out  the latest news  on our website.

 

Source: www.wetlandwonen.nl