Built in 1902, this remarkable *Jugendstil* (comparable with but not completely identical to Art Nouveau) building in Utrecht – a city in the very heart of the Netherlands – was designed by architect Jan Verheul. It served as the headquarters for ‘Utrecht’, a life insurance company. The building was subsequently granted the name of the company. Several sculptures adorned the Jugendstil gem.
De Utrecht lined the Leidseweg (formerly the Leidschestraatweg) between [Utrecht Central Station](https://www.reddit.com/r/Lost_Architecture/comments/bmhh7f/utrecht_central_station_demolished_by_fire_in/) and the historic city centre. After World War II, this specific area – often referred to as the *Stationswijk* (‘Station’s District’) – fell into disrepair. At the same time, the local government desperately wanted to modernize the rapidly growing city in an attempt to make Utrecht’s core better accessible to motorists. This, they argued, would stimulate the local economy.
The Stationswijk was to make way for these plans. Several streets, including many houses and stores originating in the 19th century, were razed. This evoked massive protests. Inhabitants (sometimes organised in action groups), students and squatters fiercely protested the wrecking ball. Local media also criticized the demolitions. In 1972, a reporter for the *Utrechts Nieuwsblad* wrote: “The heart of the city is dead. Heaps of scrap mask the gaping hole between the railway station and Vredenburg*”.
De Utrecht was occupied by squatters for a while, but was eventually torn down in 1974. Thankfully, several sculptures and pieces of furniture designed exclusively for De Utrecht were saved and transferred to other buildings. This can unfortunately not be said of paintings by Dutch painter Co Breman and several other unique items that were part of the building’s interior: These items were lost during the demolition.
Hoog Catharijne – a modern shopping centre – was officially opened in September 1973. It covers the vast majority of the former Stationswijk. Where De Utrecht once proudly stood, there is now [a hideous consumer electronics store](http://www.bouwpututrecht.nl/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Gildenkwartier-3.jpg).
*A square in Utrecht.
EDIT: Altered a sentence.
EDIT II: I haven’t been able to secure the exact date of this photograph. Also: the Leidseweg ran along a little canal that was removed during the renewal as well. However, a body of water is set to return to the area.
EDIT III: Replaced link.
loempiasausssays
I live near Utrecht and it is so sad that they demolished it for an ugly looking shopping centre 🙁
They have renewed the whole shopping centre and the surrounding areas of te central station. However, I still prefer the old buildings over the modernist high buildings
Remseey2907says
Why such a beauty
Remseey2907says
The Netherlands is going down the drain because of horrible architects and project developers with their fancy smooth talks! They sell their own mother as beautiful if necessary.
But they leave us ugliness and horrible neighbourhoods.
The people must intervene by creating a nationwide pricetag for ugliness. The architects need to be taught that they are not on the right path by pushing their shit through our throats. We want beauty! Not ugliness.
JohnPlayerSpecialRed says
Built in 1902, this remarkable *Jugendstil* (comparable with but not completely identical to Art Nouveau) building in Utrecht – a city in the very heart of the Netherlands – was designed by architect Jan Verheul. It served as the headquarters for ‘Utrecht’, a life insurance company. The building was subsequently granted the name of the company. Several sculptures adorned the Jugendstil gem.
De Utrecht lined the Leidseweg (formerly the Leidschestraatweg) between [Utrecht Central Station](https://www.reddit.com/r/Lost_Architecture/comments/bmhh7f/utrecht_central_station_demolished_by_fire_in/) and the historic city centre. After World War II, this specific area – often referred to as the *Stationswijk* (‘Station’s District’) – fell into disrepair. At the same time, the local government desperately wanted to modernize the rapidly growing city in an attempt to make Utrecht’s core better accessible to motorists. This, they argued, would stimulate the local economy.
The Stationswijk was to make way for these plans. Several streets, including many houses and stores originating in the 19th century, were razed. This evoked massive protests. Inhabitants (sometimes organised in action groups), students and squatters fiercely protested the wrecking ball. Local media also criticized the demolitions. In 1972, a reporter for the *Utrechts Nieuwsblad* wrote: “The heart of the city is dead. Heaps of scrap mask the gaping hole between the railway station and Vredenburg*”.
De Utrecht was occupied by squatters for a while, but was eventually torn down in 1974. Thankfully, several sculptures and pieces of furniture designed exclusively for De Utrecht were saved and transferred to other buildings. This can unfortunately not be said of paintings by Dutch painter Co Breman and several other unique items that were part of the building’s interior: These items were lost during the demolition.
Hoog Catharijne – a modern shopping centre – was officially opened in September 1973. It covers the vast majority of the former Stationswijk. Where De Utrecht once proudly stood, there is now [a hideous consumer electronics store](http://www.bouwpututrecht.nl/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Gildenkwartier-3.jpg).
*A square in Utrecht.
EDIT: Altered a sentence.
EDIT II: I haven’t been able to secure the exact date of this photograph. Also: the Leidseweg ran along a little canal that was removed during the renewal as well. However, a body of water is set to return to the area.
EDIT III: Replaced link.
loempiasauss says
I live near Utrecht and it is so sad that they demolished it for an ugly looking shopping centre 🙁
They have renewed the whole shopping centre and the surrounding areas of te central station. However, I still prefer the old buildings over the modernist high buildings
Remseey2907 says
Why such a beauty
Remseey2907 says
The Netherlands is going down the drain because of horrible architects and project developers with their fancy smooth talks! They sell their own mother as beautiful if necessary.
But they leave us ugliness and horrible neighbourhoods.
The people must intervene by creating a nationwide pricetag for ugliness. The architects need to be taught that they are not on the right path by pushing their shit through our throats. We want beauty! Not ugliness.