Bloom

Sustainability

Vision of Architects

Community App

Bloom

Sustainability

Vision of Architects

Community App

Merwede Planning News Contact FAQ

Frequently
Asked
Questions (FAQs)

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Below you will find the most frequently asked questions to our Bloom team. If your question is not answered here, please reach out to a real estate agent. You can find their contact details on our contact page.

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Living

How many homes will Bloom have?

In total, Bloom will consist of 1.073 woningen:

218 owner occupied homes (19 townhouses, 88 bold apartments and 111 city apartments)
855 rental properties (166 medium-priced rental apartments, 300 social rental apartments and 389 private sector rental apartments).

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What type of homes will Bloom have?

Bloom will consist of a diverse mix of rental and owner-occupied properties offered at prices in line with the social segment, mid-segment and private sector segment. The apartments in the social segment will be sold to a housing corporation, who will serve as landlord.

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What size are the owner-occupied homes?

The owner-occupied homes will have a floor space of approx. 47 to 244 m2. (This is illustrative and may be subject to change depending on the final situation.)

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Do all homes have a private outdoor area?

Yes, all homes have at least one private outdoor area, provided that the property is bigger than 50 m2. Some homes even have two private outdoor areas. In addition, residents can make use of the semi-public courtyards. Each courtyard has a unique design and atmosphere:

Bloom: playing and meeting
Bloom: intimate and relaxing
Bloom: playing and relaxing

The residential buildings with owner-occupied homes as well as buildings with rental homes hav eseveral shared (communal) roof gardens.

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In what price range are the owner-occupied homes and rental properties?

Merwede is home to a diverse mix of properties offered at prices in line with the social segment, mid-segment and private sector segment. The final sales or rental prices will be set before marketing.

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How will the owner-occupied homes be allocated?

This has yet to be decided.

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How will the owner-occupied homes be finished?

This will be specified separately for the townhouses, bold apartments, city apartments and rental properties. We are in the process of coordinating this with the contractor.

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Are the properties freehold or leasehold?

Free hold.

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What service charges can I expect when buying a property?

The service charges will be determined as soon as an owner's association manager has been appointed.

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What energy rating will the new homes have?

Merwede will be one the most sustainable city districts in the Netherlands. Sustainability has been taken into account at various levels: sustainable energy, shared mobility, a healthy urban environment for humans and animals, circular building. All properties meet various standards: BENG3=75%, GPR= minimum of 0.8, MPG=0.7.

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How many affordable homes will Bloom have?

Bloom properties will be distributed as follows:

- 30% social rental properties provided through housing corporations in Utrecht. Rental prices of these properties will be determined based on the points-based system of the Rent Tribunal, and will not exceed € 763.47 per month (2022 price level). The exact rental prices will be set by the housing corporation.

- 15% medium-priced rental properties (2022 price level: approx. €737 up to approx. €1,050 per month. The rent may vary depending on the year in which the apartments are let.

- 10% medium-priced owner-occupied properties (with purchase prices up to the applicable cap under the Dutch National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG) scheme).

- 45% private sector rental and owner-occupied properties.

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Do all homes have private parking?

There will be no private parking spaces in Merwede. Instead, large underground parking garages on the side the the Europalaan will be available to residents with parking subscriptions. The distribution and the availability of subscriptions are still under consideration. We aim to assign a subscription to all large properties. As far as the smaller apartments are concerned, a subscription won't be available for every apartment. Remote parking at a reduced rate will also be available.

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Planning

When will construction begin?

This has yet to be determined.

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Has a permit been granted for Bloom?

The Utrecht City Council has adopted the zoning plan for Merwede. Several stakeholders have lodged an appeal against the zoning plan. After the Council of State assesses these appeals, the zoning plan will become irrevocable and building permits can be issued.

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When is the project expected to be completed?

We expect that construction of the homes will be completed in phases. Dates has yet to be determined.

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When will the first rental properties become available?

This has yet to be determined.

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When will the sale of the properties start?

This has yet to be determined.

How can I express my interest?

You can subscribe to the Bloom newsletter. This is a good way to stay up to date on the latest developments.

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How can I express my interest?

You can subscribe to the Bloom newsletter. This is a good way to stay up to date on thelatest developments.

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Location

How is the accessibility of the Merwede district?

Merwede will be a car-free district with a large number of cycle and walking paths, providing safe and easy connections between Park Transwijk and the Rivierenwijk neighbourhood. This will makes it easy for everyone to have access to as many facilities as possible.

There will be excellent public transport links and residents have access to shared cars, scooters and bicycles. There will also be various types of vehicles available at pickup points, such as e-bikes, cargo bikes, vans and electric estate cars,which residents you can use depending on their needs. A fee is charged for use of these vehicles.

Different options of public transport take you around the city quickly and easily. In addition,plans for a tram connection are being considered.

Other major cities, such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague are within easy reach (Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport are 30 minutes by train, Rotterdam 35 minutes, and The Hague 37 minutes.)

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What facilities does Merwede, and Bloom in particular, offer?

Merwede is home to many facilities and amenities: coffee bars (e.g, Kanaal30), cafés (e.g, De Kromme Haring), creative hubs (e.g., De Createur and Vechtclub XL), art galleries (e.g, Serinya Gallery) and restaurants (e.g, Karma Kebab in Building M). Facilities such as a health centre and Boulderhal Sterk, Basic Fit and Skatepark Utrecht have recently opened their doors. Plans for the future include a supermarket, two primary schools, a secondary school, and a wide range of art and cultural facilities.

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What about mobility and parking?

An extensivemobility plan is being developed for Merwede, which will allow residents tobenefit from a highly available shared mobility system (shared cars, scooters,cargo bikes, etc.), mobility shops and a new, high-quality public transportline connecting Merwede to the Europalaan.

There will be noprivate parking spaces in Merwede. Instead, large parking garages on theEuropalaan will be available to residents with parking subscriptions. Thedistribution and the availability of subscriptions are still underconsideration. We aim to assign subscriptions to all large properties. Asfar as the smaller apartments are concerned, a subscription won't be availablefor every apartment. Remote parking at a reduced rate will also be available.

What facilities does the neighbourhood offer?

Where can I find more information on Merwede?

You can find more information on our website and social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin), via our newsletter or you can visit www.merwede.nl.

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Are there any schools near Bloom?

There are plans to build two new primary schools and one new secondary school in Merwede. There are also several other schools nearby.

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What sports facilities are available in the area?

If you like to work out, there is a Basic Fit gym at Merwede. There is Boulderhal Sterk for climbing enthusiasts, and an indoor skate park, Skatepark Utrecht, with amazing ramps and rails. You'll also find ample opportunities for walking and jogging.

Is there public transport close by?

Yes, high-quality public transport (a bus service) will be available from the Europalaan.

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Business

Will there be properties with a shop or office space?

No, but the buildings in which the rental apartments are located will contain various commercial spaces for businesses. A separate operator will be located there. Who this will be is not yet known.

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I am an entrepreneur. Can I buy or rent a space at Bloom?

In The residential buildings with rental apartments will have flex spaces for creative businesses. Where these spaces will be located and when they will be rented out has yet to be determined.