Following in the footsteps of other skyline-defining towers such as the Gasunie, Duotoren (The Cruise Ship) and the Apollo hotel, a new 72-metre-tall residential tower will be changing the north side of the city.
Translation by Hans de Preter
The tower, which will be named “The Helix”, will be the ninth tallest building in Groningen upon completion in 2019. The residential building will be located on Bedumerweg, near the Eemshavenweg ramp at the northern ring road. The design of the nine-sided building will have a striking exterior, covered with green and white tiles, and will have 116 studios, 96 two bedroom apartments and 10 maisonettes.
DNA
The 22-story-tall residential tower (from Nijestee) was designed by De Unie Architecten and is being built by Geveke Bouw & Ontwikkeling. The architect and builders hope with its reference to the city’s DNA as a student destination in its name, the tower will become a distinctive symbol in the Groningen skyline. The student residents themselves will play an important role in the appearance of the building: when its slats are slid open by inhabitants, the façade of the building will visibly change.
Spiral twist
The building has a hexagonal shape and appears to be twisting from the inside, which is aesthetically interesting but poses some logistical challenges: the meter boxes will not be located in exactly the same spot on each flood. The project’s designed relied heavily on 3D models to ensure that builders are able to tackle its unique layout.
For more information on The Helix, visit comfort-partners.nl
