UTRECHT – The offices in Hoog Catharijne may be sold. The municipality of Utrecht agrees to a request from owner Klépierre for the division of the offices and the transfer of the leasehold rights. This clears the way for sale.
The mayor and aldermen write in a letter to the city council that Klépierre “wants to focus mainly on its core task, namely the retail portfolio”.
Almost all offices
This intended sale concerns almost all offices in Hoog Catharijne owned by Klépierre, but not the former Rabobank office in Gildeveste. That has been empty for at least eight years, which causes anger among residents and lack of understanding in Utrecht politics. It is unknown what to do with this property. Klépierre said in November that he “wants to look for a new tenant in the long run”.
New impetus and extra cycling spots
The mayor and aldermen acknowledge that consultations about Hoog Catharijne’s redevelopment plans will not necessarily become easier if a new large leaseholder is added. They do hope that the transfer of the offices will lead to “new impetus and a leap in quality”. Talks have already been held with a potential buyer. Who that is has not been disclosed.
B and W assume that the agreement will “have no negative financial consequences for the municipality”. It will provide the city with 1,300 additional bicycle parking spaces, on top of the 3,000 bicycle parking spaces already planned. If the sale goes through, a total of 4,300 bicycle spaces should be added within five years. These could be located in the current parking garages P1 and P4.
Moreelsebrug
Yesterday, the municipality also came with news about possible stairs on the Moreelsebrug to the platforms at Utrecht Central. Klépierre stopped the construction of the stairs for a long time, because they wanted to lead travelers from the station hall via the shopping center to the city center. Now the municipality has reached an agreement with the real estate company.
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