Waterfront Corner House with Garden Studio on the Oude Rijn

The property at Hoge Rijndijk 7 in Zoeterwoude presents a distinctive opportunity to live directly alongside the Oude Rijn, a historic navigable waterway. This five-room corner house combines waterfront living with practical features and a versatile garden studio. Built in 1948, the residence has been thoughtfully expanded over the years, most notably with an extension added in 2001 at the rear and side of the property.

Entering through the side of the house, you are welcomed into a hallway that houses the meter cupboard and a remarkably spacious toilet featuring a decorative fountain ornament. The central heating boiler, an Intergas HRE combi boiler that is owned rather than rented, is also situated in this area. The hallway leads directly into the dining room, which benefits from an attractive mantelpiece complete with a working fireplace, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for meals and gatherings.

The open kitchen is positioned at the front of the house in a slightly sunken section of the living space. While the kitchen is described as dated in the listing, it is fully functional with all essential built-in appliances including a dishwasher, oven, four-burner induction cooktop, extractor hood, and a refrigerator-freezer combination. The kitchen offers considerable cabinet space for storage, and the many windows ensure abundant natural light fills this area.

The living room itself is particularly generous in size and features a second attractive fireplace, flanked on both sides by built-in cupboards that provide additional storage. The 2001 extension added significant space to the rear and side of the property, with French doors opening directly onto the backyard and its water views. A small step up leads to another seating area that could also serve as an ideal home office space.

A second hallway provides access to a spacious basement with underfloor heating, which also has a door leading to the backyard. The basement is currently unused, and its square footage is not included in the official living area measurement of 172 square meters. The entire ground floor benefits from a beautiful bluestone tile floor with underfloor heating running throughout, ensuring comfort during colder months.

The first floor is reached via an attractive staircase leading to a landing where three bedrooms are located. The first two bedrooms are situated at the front of the house, with one currently being used as a utility room. This room can be easily converted back to a bedroom if desired. The third bedroom on this floor features a very spacious walk-in closet and French doors that open onto a small rooftop terrace, offering pleasant views over the water.

The bathroom on this floor has also been extended at the rear of the property and includes a second toilet, a walk-in shower, a separate bathtub, and a large vanity unit with double sinks. The attractive window arrangement ensures plenty of natural light enters this space.

The second floor houses the fourth bedroom, which is currently configured as one large room. Two large dormer windows have been installed, one at the front and one at the rear, providing excellent light and ventilation. This floor also contains a third toilet and a second bathroom with a vanity unit and walk-in shower. The rear of this floor offers another beautiful view over the Oude Rijn. The current layout allows for modifications that could create two separate bedrooms on this level if needed.

The outdoor spaces of this property are particularly noteworthy. As a corner house, it benefits from a very spacious front garden that provides parking for multiple vehicles, a side garden, and a rear entrance path. The backyard is the true highlight, situated directly on the Oude Rijn with a depth of approximately 14 meters and a width of 8 meters. The backyard faces southeast while the front garden faces southwest, ensuring that residents can follow the sun throughout the day, finding a comfortable spot in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

The garden house represents an especially versatile feature of this property. Currently configured as a studio with its own independent entrance, it has been equipped with electricity, hot and cold running water, and heating. This space offers numerous possibilities: it could serve as an additional bedroom for guests, a dedicated home office, an art studio, or any number of other uses. Its location directly on the water adds to its appeal.

It is important to note that while the property borders the waterway, there is no permit for permanently mooring a boat at this location, and such a permit will not be granted. The quay directly adjacent to the property belongs to the Hoogheemraadschap Rijnland, the regional water authority. The quays in this area have been replaced and are maintained by this authority.

The location of Hoge Rijndijk offers excellent convenience for daily life. A supermarket is nearby, along with primary school Sint Bernardusschool and preschool Drie Turven Hoog. Multiple bus stops are within a few hundred meters. For cyclists, the historic center of Leiden can be reached within approximately ten minutes, as can Leiden Central Station and Leiden Lammenschans station. A cycle bridge provides easy access to the neighboring town of Leiderdorp. Football club Meerburg and meeting center De Eendenkooi are also within short distance.

For motorists, the property offers good connections to major roads. The N11 provides access to Alphen aan den Rijn and Utrecht, while the A4 connects to Amsterdam and The Hague. The spacious front driveway ensures convenient parking for residents and visitors.

The property has an energy label E, with insulation including roof insulation, double glazing partially throughout the property, and floor insulation. The Intergas HRE combi boiler provides both heating and hot water. A structural inspection report is available for review, providing potential buyers with additional confidence about the condition of the property. As is standard for properties older than 30 years, an age and asbestos clause applies to the sale.

The asking price is set at 889,000 euros buyer's costs, which translates to approximately 5,169 euros per square meter of living space. The total content of the building is 871 cubic meters, and the plot measures 396 square meters. The property includes 42 square meters of other indoor space such as the basement, 7 square meters of building-related outdoor space, and 11 square meters of external storage space.

The property's history adds to its character, with many original details preserved despite the modernizations and extensions. High ceilings throughout the ground floor create a sense of spaciousness, while the two working fireplaces provide both visual appeal and practical warmth during the colder months. The combination of original architectural elements and practical updates creates a home that respects its heritage while meeting contemporary living requirements.

The surrounding area of Zoeterwoude Hoge Rijndijk Noord maintains a village character while being exceptionally well connected to larger urban centers. The Oude Rijn itself is a historic waterway that has shaped the landscape and settlements of this region for centuries, and living directly alongside it provides a connection to this heritage that is difficult to replicate in more modern developments.

For families, the proximity to schools and childcare facilities simplifies daily routines, while the safe cycling routes to Leiden make this location practical for commuters who prefer to leave the car at home. The availability of multiple bus stops within walking distance provides additional public transport options.

This corner house on the Oude Rijn offers a combination of waterfront living, versatile spaces, and convenient access to urban amenities in Leiden and surrounding areas. The presence of the garden studio adds flexibility for those who work from home or require additional guest accommodation, while the multiple outdoor spaces allow enjoyment of the property throughout the day as the sun moves across the gardens.