Rent a Home in Roombeek, Enschede

On May 13, 2000, a fireworks depot exploded in Roombeek. 23 people died, 947 were injured. Nearly four hundred homes were destroyed, and another 1,500 were damaged. More than 4,000 residents had to leave the neighborhood. What followed was one of the largest urban redevelopment operations in recent Dutch history. Roombeek was rebuilt. Those considering renting a home in Roombeek are moving into a neighborhood that is less than twenty-five years old, in a location that has been there much longer.

Reconstruction and Redesign

The reconstruction of Roombeek was not a restoration. The city opted for renewal. Architects were commissioned to design a mixed-use neighborhood with homes, businesses, and cultural functions side by side. The result is a district that looks unlike anything else in Enschede: modern architecture, broad profiles, thoughtful distribution of private and public spaces, a mix of dense urban blocks and open squares.

Less than one in five of the original residents returned. The neighborhood has gained a new population. This is visible in the demographics: Roombeek has a relatively young, mixed population of approximately 4,400 people (2024). The social cohesion of a historically grown neighborhood is absent, but the district also does not have the problems that older working-class neighborhoods sometimes bring.

87 m² apartment with 2 bedrooms in the center of Enschede

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H.J. van Heekplein 53A, Enschede

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Living in Roombeek Now

Roombeek is an inner-city location with new-build quality. That is the most direct way to describe the neighborhood. The homes were built after 2000 with modern insulation standards. The design of the public space has been carefully crafted. There is space for cyclists and pedestrians, squares with seating, and greenery integrated between the building blocks.

The Museum Twenthe is located on the edge of Roombeek. The MuseumFabriek, a cultural institution housed in a former textile factory, is located within the neighborhood itself. This combination of cultural institutions gives Roombeek a function that extends beyond just living. On weekdays, people visit the museum or work at the creative businesses that have established themselves in the district.

Housing Supply

The housing supply in Roombeek consists of modern apartments and terraced houses, built between 2002 and 2015. The neighborhood has a mixed ownership structure: social housing alongside owner-occupied homes alongside private sector rental properties. Those looking for a well-insulated home a short distance from the center of Enschede, but who do not want to live in the city center pressure, have an option in Roombeek.

The distance to the city center is five to ten minutes by bike. The University of Twente and Kennispark are on the other side of the city, but Roombeek is easily accessible via the Hengelosestraat.

Accessibility

The A1 and A35 motorways are accessible via the city outskirts of Enschede. Roombeek is located northwest of the center and has a direct connection to the city center and the station via the Hengelosestraat. Enschede Station is a ten to fifteen-minute bike ride away. Parking is more widely available in the neighborhood than in the city center, with parking spaces integrated into the housing layout.