SPACE FOR EXPERIENCE
The Meelfabriek embodies diversity in people and offerings, from vibrant activities to moments of stillness. In this bulletin we would like to update you on what is happening both in front of and behind the scenes.
De Meelfabriek is a unique place of connection between residents, visitors, entrepreneurs, and neighbors, a place where history and future meet and where calm and buzz coexist.
The site was home to the Steam Flour Mill De Sleutels, which began its production in 1884 and flourished over the years until it closed its doors in 1988. Since then, efforts have been made to repurpose this industrial heritage, and the Meelfabriek is on its way to grow from a historical landmark in Leiden to an internationally renowned architectural project. The national monuments are being revitalized, and new buildings are being added, creating a beautiful dialogue between the old and the new. The Meelfabriek is transforming into an inspiring place full of experiences. The first phase is now completed, offering office space, student housing, lofts, shops, a parking garage, and a garden. Work on the second phase continues, which will include a hotel, apartments, and spaces for retail, wellness, art, and culture.
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER PIET OUDOLF HONOURED
Renowned landscape designer Piet Oudolf has been awarded the Elizabeth Medal of Honour by King Charles, a prestigious accolade in the gardening world. We are very proud that he has designed the beautiful undulating planting design for the Meelfabriek Garden in collaboration with LOLA landscape architects.
The Elizabeth Medal of Honour follows a series of diverse recognitions. Last year, Oudolf received the Sikkens Prize for his impressive contribution to the “colour experience” of parks and gardens around the world. He has also received the Award for Excellence in Design from the New York City Art Commission, the Prins Bernhard Cultuur Prize, the Maaskant Prize en was appointed Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau.
For the Meelfabriek, his design creates a place where visitors can enjoy the changes in nature each season while contemplating. This spring, a staggering 13,000 plants of approximately 60 different species were planted in the 40 by 60-meter garden. Currently, there are still construction fences around it to protect the new plantings. Once nature does its job well and the growth continues, allowing the plants to stand more firmly, the fences can be removed. We assist nature where we can, keeping the soil sufficiently moist through a clever crate system. The entire garden is equipped with crates that collect all the rainwater from the site and the surrounding buildings, acting like rain barrels. This ensures that the soil remains consistently moist enough for the plants above. Once the plants are well-established, we warmly welcome you to the garden to enjoy it together.
PIET OUDOLF'S BOOK
Now available at Cadeau Lokaal: the recently released book “Piet Oudolf at Work.” This is a true must-have for garden enthusiasts! It features numerous sketches, drawings, and planting designs created by him. Be inspired by his gardens with breath taking and captivating plantings.
NOMINATION FOR GARDEN
We have been nominated for the Roof of the Year 2023 in the category of flat roofs! The Meelfabriek Garden and the Singeltoren are built on top of the parking garage. You can read all about the exceptional, technical, and aesthetic approach in the article by Roofs. Just be patient because the winner will be chosen in March 2024.
READ THE ARTICLE BY ROOFS (DUTCH) >
ENTREPRENEURS
For the past few weeks, there has been a lot of activity taking place on the ground floor of the Riffellokaal. This beautiful space is all about entrepreneurship and collaboration. From a sewing workshop to a gift shop, and from a coffee bar to a hair salon. All familiar faces from the Poortgebouw, but some with a different concept.
Atelier Kleurstof is a cozy and inspiring living room-like studio where everyone can come for sewing lessons!
Cadeau Lokaal The cheerful team of Cadeau Lokaal is ready to assist you with an original selection of the most delightful gift items.
GRUTSK coffee bar They serve the best coffee with pastries or a nice drink with snacks. For group receptions, a separate room can be rented, possibly with a tailor-made program.
Les Soeurs Personal, relaxed, experienced, and with a keen eye for quality. Michelle and Lonneke welcome you to the relaxed atmosphere of their hair salon in this iconic location.
FROM SILO TO BOTTLE!
For years, tonnes of various types of grains from all over the world were stored in the silos of De Meelfabriek. Wheat and rye, the grains of yesteryear, now find their way into a delicious fresh wheat beer named Albert.
This beer is the result of combining expertise and historical knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm from everyone involved. From tasting sessions to brewing, bottling, and labelling with construction workers, tenants, and architects. All under the inspiring leadership of the craft brewery Leidsch Bier.
Albert is a combination of India Pale Ale and wheat beer. With this beer, we honour the history of the monumental Meelfabriek and the future that we will experience here together. A future that stems from the vision of owner Ab, in full Albert, van der Wiel. A future to enjoy together and toast to!
Drink Albert at Grutsk, Lemmy’s, and Stadsbrouwhuis. Or give Albert as a gift: buy the 2-pack at Grutsk and Cadeau Lokaal.
PROGRESS OF THE SECOND PHASE
There has been a lot of building and shifting in recent months on the site of the second phase. Significant changes have been made to the Poortgebouw, the Meelpakhuis, the Silotoren, and the site.
All entrepreneurs from the Poortgebouw have moved to the Riffellokaal. This has freed up space at the front of the building for the contractors. Their cabins have been removed from the site, and other cabins next to the Poortgebouw have been relocated towards the Directiekantoor. This creates space on the square for further work for the second phase.
Preparations for the transformer stations have begun at the rear of the Poortgebouw; two cellars of 1.5 meters deep have been dug in the aisles of the building. Cables will run in and out of these to the general power point for the entire area of phase 2. The part of the phase 1 will be supplied from transformer stations behind the Directiekantoor. The remaining space in the Poortgebouw will be used for storage for the residents of the Meelpakhuis.
A true crowning glory, that is how the construction of the Meelpakhuis can be described: three newly built layers on top of the monumental part. After reaching the highest point in late March, work is now proceeding from top to bottom to finish, and the scaffolding is being lowered layer by layer. With this, the building is coming more and more into view. The ‘wokkel’ will now be properly preserved and then reinstalled through the skylight so that it becomes the beautiful centrepiece of the stairwell.
The Silotoren is rising rapidly. The precast concrete elements are finding their way upwards. The third floor has now been reached. Each floor is equipped with reinforcement steel, electricity, mechanical ventilation, and sprinkler installation, all placed precisely according to the design, before the concrete is poured. Precision work and teamwork!
