Construction Day sites: where to go in Groningen, Drenthe and Friesland

By Traci White

The Northern Times has picked out the top sites from the region where you can get a sneak peek behind-the-scenes.

A former stock exchange and library, the Beursgebouw in Leeuwarden is the future home of the University of Groningen’s Leeuwarden faculty, Campus Fryslân. The building is getting a sustainability upgrade before officially opening to 1,000 students and staff next February. During Construction Day, visitors can use 360 degree photos, thermographic cameras, drones and VR glasses to see how the building, which was originally built in 1880, is changing over time.

Anyone visiting or living in Groningen cannot miss the towering Forum building at the very heart of the city. Once it is completed in 2019, the building will be a place for visitors to check out international exhibits, films, debates, literary events and other events. The Groningen public library and the art house theatre at the Hereplein will be moving into the building in 2019, along with the Dutch comic strip museum (currently located at the Westerhaven) and the VVV tourism agency. The top floor of the building will feature a sky lounge with a restaurant and terrace with wide views of the historic city centre.

The only project in Drenthe participating in the 2018 Construction Day is in Borger, where two residential complexes – Borgerhof and Eshof – are being replaced with new and modernised apartment buildings. Phase one of construction, which is currently underway and should be completed this year, involves tearing down the former Borgerhof complex and replacing it, and phase will be the same process for Eshof. The complex will include 86 units and several communal spaces, and the construction works will create a brand new entrance to the residencies.

There are plenty of other interesting construction projects across the north that you can visit this weekend. You can check out all of the participating projects at De Bouw Maakt Het (only available in Dutch). 

Photo source: Friesland: Traci White; Groningen and Drenthe: De Bouw Maakt Het