Renovated canal-side townhouse in Leiden's historic center

Located on the charming Kijfgracht in the heart of Leiden's historic inner city, this townhouse from 1903 has been extensively renovated and reconfigured in recent years. The result is a home where character, comfort, and sustainability come together in an appealing way. With a living area of approximately 88 square meters, three bedrooms, a practical attic space, and a deep backyard with rear access, this property offers surprisingly generous space on a highly sought-after location along the water.

The renovation process involved a complete redesign of the floor plan. The staircase and kitchen were relocated, the bathroom was moved to the first floor, two toilets were created, and the ground floor received an insulated floor with underfloor heating. The tile roof was also renewed and insulated. The former bathroom and toilet area at the rear now serves as a practical laundry room and storage space with direct access to the garden. Additionally, the party walls were acoustically insulated during the renovation, contributing to pleasant living comfort.

Thanks to these investments, the property has achieved energy label B, which is particularly good for a characteristic building from 1903. The property features roof insulation, double glazing, wall insulation, and floor insulation.

Upon entering, you immediately experience the space that has been created through the clever reconfiguration. The living room extends across almost the entire length of the house and feels remarkably spacious thanks to the ceiling height of approximately 2.89 meters, the large windows, and the light finish. A stylish poured resin floor runs throughout the entire ground floor and is combined with comfortable underfloor heating. The calm color scheme, sleek finish, and open connection between living room, kitchen, and garden create a contemporary atmosphere.

At the rear, double doors open to the garden, naturally connecting indoor and outdoor living. Behind the living room is the practical laundry room and storage space. This area was created in the former bathroom and toilet room and has connections for laundry appliances, extra storage space, and its own access from the garden. This space also offers interesting possibilities for a home office. Combining the current laundry room and storage is relatively easy to achieve and was originally the plan of the current owner.

The kitchen was moved to the front of the house during the renovation. This created a pleasant living kitchen with a beautiful view over the Kijfgracht and the characteristic facades on the opposite side of the water. The kitchen has a contemporary appearance with custom wooden fronts, a dark worktop, and ample storage space. For cooking enthusiasts, the generous six-burner gas stove with a wide oven is an absolute eye-catcher. The large windows provide plenty of daylight and make this a pleasant place to cook, eat, and receive guests. The kitchen is also equipped with a Quooker, providing instant boiling water.

A special detail are the original en-suite sliding doors between the kitchen and living room. These characteristic doors were preserved during the renovation and form a beautiful reference to the original construction period of the house.

The first floor contains three bedrooms. The spacious master bedroom at the front spans almost the entire width of the house and features a wide dormer window. This creates a light and comfortable bedroom with a pleasant view over the surrounding historic buildings. The visible wooden beam gives the space extra atmosphere and character.

At the rear are two more bedrooms. Thanks to the large windows, these rooms also benefit from plenty of natural light. The rooms are also highly suitable as a children's room, home office, or guest room. One of the bedrooms has a fixed staircase to the attic.

One of the major improvements during the renovation was moving the bathroom to the first floor. This means all sanitary facilities are logically located near the bedrooms, and significantly more living space was created on the ground floor. The modern bathroom is centrally located on the floor and features a stylish double vanity with two mixer taps, a towel radiator, a second toilet, and a spacious walk-in shower with a dual shower setup. On the ground floor, there is also a separate toilet in the hallway, giving the property two toilets in total.

The practical attic is accessible via a fixed staircase from one of the bedrooms. This space is currently used as storage and offers ample opportunities for storing seasonal items and other belongings. The central heating boiler and mechanical ventilation system are also located here. Additionally, preparation has been made for installing a Velux skylight, which could further optimize the space in the future.

The approximately 9.5 meter deep backyard forms a pleasant extension of the living space. Directly behind the house is an atmospheric wooden terrace that connects to the folding doors of the living room. Further in the garden is space for a second seating area, so there is always a nice spot to enjoy the sun or shade. The garden offers surprisingly good privacy for an inner-city location.

Via the rear access, the garden is also easily accessible for bicycles, garden equipment, and containers. Parking is available through paid parking and parking permits in the area.

Living on the Kijfgracht means living in one of the most atmospheric locations in Leiden. From the house, you look out over the water and the characteristic facades on the opposite side of the canal. The tranquility of the water is combined here with all the amenities of the city center within easy reach. Within short walking distance are the historic inner city, pleasant terraces, restaurants, specialty shops, supermarkets, and cultural facilities. Leiden Central Station, the university, and various city parks are also easily accessible.

The property is a terraced house (tussenwoning) built in 1903 with a composite roof covered with bituminous roofing and tiles. It has a Building Inspection and Energy Performance Advice certificate. The property consists of two cadastral parcels: LEIDEN C 1795 with 68 square meters and LEIDEN C 2237 with 24 square meters, both in full ownership. The total plot area is 92 square meters with a backyard of 37 square meters, measuring 9.54 meters deep and 4.67 meters wide, located on the west side.