Architect Barend Bakker designed many buildings in Hilversum together with his son Kees, such as the Domestic Science School at Vermeerlaan 13. In 1929, they also built a garage with a showroom and residence at Spoorstraat 12-14 for car dealer J. Brunt. During that time, Hilversum grew rapidly from a village into a city. Many buildings from that period were constructed in an Expressionist style, featuring distinctive forms and details in their brick facades.
10.000 euro restoration subsidy
A striking feature of the building is the colorful mosaic pillar by the old showroom. De Schepper explains: “The pillar was cracked due to rusting beams. We detached the steel mesh and repaired it. The tiles had to be repaired by hand. That alone cost thirty thousand euros. But the pillar makes the building unique.” They received a third of that amount back through a restoration subsidy. “The application was simple. We only had to show that we had carried out restoration work. We went even further and restored the building to its original style as much as possible.”
Maximum amount from the Facade Fund
The Facade Fund exists for the repair and improvement of shop fronts and facades of buildings in the city center with (former) retail functions. The developers received €12.500 (the maximum amount) from the Facade Fund for the replacement of the aluminium shop fronts on the ground floor with suitable wooden ones. “We also cleaned the stained-glass windows and installed old doors, just as they used to be.” Damaged walls have been repaired with old bricks and a fireplace has been restored. “We wanted to make this special building into a beautiful whole again that fits its history. We did our best to make it as beautiful as possible.”
With heat pump and maximum insulation
On top of the lower section, where the garage used to be, three more apartments will be built with a zinc turret. “The style is different, but designed to complement the main building and not compete with it.” All apartments have an A+++ energy label. “We do this for all our homes. We look for properties that really need a lot of attention and bring them up to modern standards. With a heat pump and maximum insulation, so that nothing needs to be done to them for the next twenty years.”
Everyone who walks in is immediately enthusiastic.
They hope to have everything finished by the end of this year. The apartments are selling fast. “Everyone who walks in is immediately enthusiastic,” says De Schepper proudly. When De Schepper looks back on the entire process, he is very satisfied. “We received a lot of support from the municipality. The monuments commission was strict, but because of that, the plan ultimately turned out better. When you work well together, everything goes much faster than when you are at odds with each other.”
If you are going to restore your municipal monument
- You can apply for restoration subsidy
- You can apply for a loan of 10.000 to 150.000 at a low interest rate for restoration and sustainability improvements. at the Hilversum Restoration Fund
- The funds for the facade fund have now run out. The municipality is investigating whether budget is available again to continue this scheme.
