INVITATION TALK SHOW OOSTENBURG #8: DE HALLEN 2
THE VAN GENDT HALLEN IN OOSTENBURG AND THE WERKSPOORKATHEDRAAL IN UTRECHT

🗓 Thursday evening, June 26, 2025,
🕗 20.00-21.30
📍 Buurtkamer Over de Brug, Isaac Titsinghkade 123, 1018 LL Amsterdam
🎟 Free admission

In this series of conversations with special guests, we explore different approaches to reusing monumental factory halls. Now that the Werkspoorhal in Oostenburg is temporarily vacant, we shift our focus to other successful examples of cultural and social reuse of industrial heritage.

In this second episode of the new series, we speak with representatives of two repurposed industrial sites, both connected to the history of Werkspoor. Werkspoor was a Dutch machinery manufacturer known for steam engines, ship engines, trains, and bridges. Its factories were located in what is now Oostenburg-Noord and the former district of Zuilen (now part of Utrecht).

Photo: Van Gendt Hallen – Hal 5 – Zicht van van noord naar zuid na de brand – 1922

This evening, Eduard Zanen, owner of the Van Gendt Hallen, will talk about the renovation and future plans for these monumental halls. Zanen initiated a sustainable renovation project to transform the halls into an energy-neutral national monument.

Werkspoor also had a second factory complex in Utrecht. That area, now called the Werkspoorkwartier, has been transformed from an outdated industrial zone into a vibrant district filled with creativity, culture, and entrepreneurship. The Werkspoorkathedraal on the site now serves as a unique venue for events and enterprise. Tonight, entrepreneurs from the location will share stories about its past, present, and future—and how this vast industrial hall is being reused for cultural and social purposes.

More info: Eddy Appels programmering@overdebrug-oostenburg.nl, of tel. 0622075428

Photo header: Van Gendt Hallen – Render Zijaanzicht VOC-Kade – Credits_ Braaksma & Roos