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Grifthof: a cool spot – a space for water, plants and animals

Over the coming years, Apeldoorn’s city centre will gradually be transformed into a City Park: a green, vibrant place where residents and visitors enjoy spending time. A key step in this development is the redevelopment of the site at Beekstraat 18. The existing building has been purchased by the council and will make way for a new green cooling area. With the development of this cooling area, the heart of the city will gain more space for greenery, water, plants and wildlife.

Cooling-off areas are becoming increasingly important

Cooling areas are becoming increasingly important in the face of changing weather conditions. Warmer summers and heavier downpours make urban areas vulnerable. Fewer pavements and more green spaces help to reduce heat, improve water retention and boost biodiversity.

Demolition of the building at 18 Beekstraat began in November.
Ultimately, this building is to make way for a green, vibrant meeting place.

Alignment with the Grifthof plans

The development of the recreational area on Beekstraat forms part of the wider plans for the Grifthof. Among other things, part of the Grift will be brought back above ground in this area. These measures stem from the Apeldoorn council’s environmental vision and climate adaptation agenda.

Together, these projects achieve more:

  • quality of stay
  • the appeal of the city centre
  • green spaces and water in urban areas

View the preliminary design for the Grifthof here (PDF, 11MB)

Planning

  • November 2025 – Start of demolition of the ”Dier en Tuin” building”
  • February 2026 – Start with groundwork and paving
  • September 2026 – Completion of groundworks and paving

Grifthof is part of a larger whole

Grifthof is a development we will be working on over the coming years and forms part of the plans set out in the Development Plan for Apeldoorn City Park (pdf, 12.4 MB). With the city park, Apeldoorn is continuing to develop into a unique city with its own distinct character. A city centre that remains easily accessible is part of that. You can read more about this at apeldoorn.nl/mobility-vision.

The ‘Apeldoorn City Park’ development plan forms part of the Environmental Vision. The Environmental Vision describes how Apeldoorn is set to develop in the run-up to 2040. Apeldoorn’s city centre forms an important part of this. That is why a separate development plan has been drawn up for this area.

Funding and collaboration

This project is made possible in part by a European grant from the LIFE-IP Climate Adaptation Fund. Further information about this programme can be found on the Climate Adaptation Netherlands website.

More information

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More projects in the city centre