THE HAGUE – The owner of the iconic Pier in Scheveningen has arranged for research to be done into its future. The initial findings have revealed that the Pier is currently not profitable and is in a poor state of repair. The idea is for a new pier to be constructed in the sea which may also have a residential function. ‘The new pier may become an innovative and multifunctional structure which will boost the economy in Scheveningen and help the municipality of The Hague meet its residential property targets,’ explains Willem Gaymans. He is director at KondorWessels Vastgoed, which is the company that owns the pier.
The municipality of The Hague does not want to get ahead of itself because not all of the studies have been completed. However, that is expected to be the case in the second quarter of this year. ‘Then we will have a discussion on whether to retain and restore, or redevelop’, explained Anne Mulder on Thursday during a meeting about the future plans for Scheveningen. He is the councillor responsible for urban development and a member of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
Until 2013, the Pier in Scheveningen was owned by the Van der Valk group. After the attraction had gone bankrupt, it was acquired by Kondor Wessels in 2014 and the company invested heavily. Despite that, the Pier has not become profitable, Anne Mulder explained. That is why a rethink is now needed about its future.
Municipality wants to wait for the research results
The councillor did not want to respond as yet to questions from stakeholders in the municipality. He first wanted to wait for the results of all the studies being carried out by the owner. He explained that, although some results are already known, the survey into the structural state of the Pier has not yet been completed.
One thing that is clear is that The Hague does not support large-scale construction in the sea. Consequently, if something new is going to be built, it will have to be similar to the current structure. ‘And it also has to be something impressive’, the councillor added.
Director looks for support for plans from politicians
Director Willem Gaymans, who represents the Pier’s owner, has written a letter asking for support from the members of the municipal Council in The Hague. He believes they should not be surprised at the idea to construct a new pier because KondorWessels Vastgoed made that clear immediately after the takeover in 2013. He thinks that politicians in The Hague should be more supportive. ‘The municipality has been kept up to date on the planned development for years now, but there appears to be no sense of urgency to make the most of this opportunity for the Netherlands.’
According to the director, replacing the current Pier offers huge opportunities. ‘A new pier is an opportunity for Scheveningen, The Hague and the Netherlands to innovate and experiment with construction, living, recreation, working, experiencing and living near the sea.’
Director Willem Gaymans, who represents the Pier’s owner, has written a letter asking for support from the members of the municipal Council in The Hague. He believes they should not be surprised at the idea to construct a new pier because KondorWessels Vastgoed made that clear immediately after the takeover in 2013. He thinks that politicians in The Hague should be more supportive. ‘The municipality has been kept up to date on the planned development for years now, but there appears to be no sense of urgency to make the most of this opportunity for the Netherlands.’
You can read the article at: https://www.omroepwest.nl/nieuws/4363397/Onderzoek-naar-nieuwe-Pier-Een-kans-voor-Scheveningen-Den-Haag-en-Nederland.
