Characterful Canal House with Insulated Garage in Historic Bolsward Center
Key Features
Description
This characterful canal house is situated on a historical location in the inner city of Bolsward. Built in 1870, the property stands along one of the city canals and has been tastefully modernized while retaining its classic charm and authentic elements. The residence presents a traditional layout with the living room positioned at the front of the house and the dining area located at the rear. A substantial extension at the back of the property has created generous living spaces on both the ground floor and the upper level.
The ground floor accommodation begins with an entrance hall featuring a classic front door, meter cupboard, and access to the living quarters along with the staircase leading to the first floor. The living room is both inviting and bright, enhanced by a beamed ceiling, PVC flooring, and a wood burning stove that is available for transfer to the new owner. An open connection leads from the living room to the spacious dining area, which offers ample room for a large dining table. The dining room incorporates a modern straight kitchen arrangement equipped with a six burner stove and a chimney with an integrated extractor hood. French doors provide direct access to the enclosed city garden at the rear.
Adjacent to the kitchen lies a practical utility room fitted with a countertop, sink, cabinet space, and connections for both a washing machine and dryer. From this utility room, there is access to the backyard, a modern toilet complete with a small washbasin, and a closet housing the central heating installation.
The first floor has been extended on two sides with large dormer windows, significantly increasing the usable floor area. This level comprises a landing, three well proportioned bedrooms, and a modern bathroom. The bathroom is appointed with a washbasin, bathtub, shower, and a second toilet for added convenience. All three bedrooms benefit from built in closet space, providing practical storage solutions.
The sheltered backyard faces northwest and has been thoughtfully landscaped with a combination of lawn and terrace areas. Surrounding walls and fencing ensure a high degree of privacy. The garden offers sufficient space for both a seating area and a play section for children. At the rear of the garden stands a sizeable detached wooden garage that is fully insulated and features underfloor heating on the ground floor along with its own central heating system. The garage also provides additional storage space in the attic above. The garden and garage are accessible via a rear street, offering convenient access without having to pass through the main residence.
For buyers requiring additional parking or workshop space, there is an option to purchase a separate garage box located on the Elandslaagte at an additional cost. This supplementary garage is equipped with electricity, a storage attic, and an inspection pit suitable for vehicle maintenance.
The property holds an Energy Label C rating, reflecting a reasonable level of energy efficiency for a building of this age. Improvements include roof insulation, double glazing, wall insulation, and floor insulation. Twelve solar panels were installed in 2023, contributing to reduced energy costs. The main central heating system is a Nefit gas fired combination boiler from 2013, which is owned rather than rented. The garage has a separate Remeha central heating boiler. Underfloor heating has been installed on the ground floor, in the bathroom, and throughout the garage. A Mitsubishi air conditioning unit on the upper floor, installed in 2019, provides climate control during warmer months.
Bolsward is one of the renowned Frisian Eleven Cities and is celebrated for its historic city center, characteristic canals, and pleasant atmosphere. The town offers a comprehensive range of amenities including primary schools, secondary education establishments, various shops, restaurants and cafes, alongside an active community and cultural life. The surrounding water rich landscape provides numerous recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The central location within Friesland, combined with proximity to the A7 motorway, ensures that larger cities including those in the Randstad area and Groningen remain easily accessible for commuters.
The property is located within a protected city or village vista, which preserves the historical character of the surroundings. Parking is available both on the property itself and on the public roads in the immediate vicinity. All essential city amenities are within comfortable walking distance, making this a highly convenient location for daily living.
In terms of measurements, the property offers 126 square meters of living space, 56 square meters of external storage space, and sits on a plot of 217 square meters. The total volume of the building is 491 cubic meters. The accommodation provides four rooms in total, comprising three bedrooms spread across two living levels. The property is offered at a price of 450,000 euros, with the transaction costs to be borne by the buyer as is customary in the Netherlands.
Features
Bathroom
Shower
Explicitly listed in the bathroom features ('Douche').
Bathtub
Explicitly listed in the bathroom features ('ligbad').
En-Suite Bathroom
The layout describes an overloop (hallway) leading to three bedrooms and a bathroom, indicating a central layout rather than an ensuite.
Guest Toilet
There is a separate toilet on the ground floor near the utility room, distinct from the bathroom toilet.
Bidet
Not mentioned in the listing and not a standard feature in Dutch homes from this era.
Shared Shower
The property is a detached/semi-detached house (geschakelde woning) intended for single-family use, not an apartment with shared facilities.
Shared Toilet
The property is a detached/semi-detached house intended for single-family use.
His & Hers Sinks
The listing mentions a single 'wastafel' (sink) in the bathroom.
Heated Bathroom Floor
Explicitly stated in the features: 'Vloerverwarming benedenverdieping, badkamer en garage'.
Building General
Corner Property
Exterior
Balcony
No balcony is mentioned anywhere in the listing.
Rear Garden
The listing explicitly describes a 72 m² sheltered city garden (stadstuin/achtertuin) located at the rear.
Front Garden
It is a canal house (grachtenpand) located directly at the water/street with a front door opening to the sidewalk; no front garden is mentioned or expected.
Side Garden
The property is a semi-detached house (geschakelde woning) in a dense historic city center; no side garden is mentioned.
Terrace
The garden description explicitly mentions a terrace in combination with a lawn ('combinatie van gazon en terras').
Rooftop Terrace
There is no mention of a rooftop terrace in the listing.
Fenced Yard
The listing states the garden is enclosed by walls and fences ('Dankzij de ommuring en erfafscheidingen biedt de tuin veel privacy').
Veranda
No veranda is mentioned in the property description.
Guest House
There is no separate guest house or annex mentioned.
Waterfront
The listing explicitly states the house is located on open water ('aan open vaarwater') and has a view over the city canal ('stadsgracht').
Kitchen Garden
No kitchen garden or vegetable garden is mentioned.
Equestrian Facilities
The property is located in a historic inner-city canal area, making equestrian facilities impossible.
Small Livestock Facilities
The property is located in a historic inner-city canal area, making small livestock facilities impossible.
Private Outdoor Pool
No private outdoor pool is mentioned.
Private Outdoor Jacuzzi
No private outdoor jacuzzi is mentioned.
Private Tennis Court
No tennis court is mentioned, and there is no space for one in this city center location.
Remarkable Mountain View
Bolsward is in Friesland, which is entirely flat and has no mountains.
Remarkable City View
It has a nice view over the historic canal, but it is not a high-rise or panoramic skyline city view.
Remarkable Garden View
The front looks over the canal, not a garden. The back has a garden, but it is not described as a remarkable view from the living areas.
Remarkable Sea View
Bolsward is an inland city in Friesland with no sea view.
Remarkable Harbour View
The property overlooks a city canal (stadsgracht), not a harbour.
Remarkable Landmark View
It is situated in a protected cityscape (beschermd stadsgezicht) overlooking historic canals, which acts as a landmark feature.
Interior Comfort
Air Conditioning
Mitsubishi airconditioning unit on the upper floor (2019) is explicitly mentioned.
Central Heating
Nefit CV-ketel (gas combi boiler) from 2013 is listed as the heating system.
Fireplace
A wood stove (houtkachel) is mentioned in the living room, available for takeover.
Hardwood Floors
The living room has a PVC floor, not hardwood. No hardwood floors are mentioned.
Laminate Flooring
PVC flooring is mentioned, which is different from laminate. No laminate flooring is specified.
Carpeted Floors
No carpeted floors are mentioned anywhere in the listing.
Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating is explicitly listed for the ground floor, bathroom, and garage.
Walk-In Closet
Built-in wardrobes are mentioned in all bedrooms, but no walk-in closet is described.
Home Office
No home office or workspace is mentioned in the property description.
Skylight
Large dormer windows (dakkapellen) are mentioned, but no skylights specifically.
Exposed Beams
Beam ceiling (balkenplafond) is explicitly mentioned in the living room.
Bay Window
No bay window is mentioned in the listing.
Private Indoor Pool
No indoor pool is mentioned or suggested.
Private Indoor Sauna
No indoor sauna is mentioned or suggested.
Built-In Wardrobes
All three bedrooms are explicitly stated to have built-in wardrobes (inbouwkasten).
French Doors
French doors (openslaande deuren) are mentioned leading to the garden from the dining room.
Interior Style
Scandinavian
No Scandinavian design elements mentioned in the listing.
Modern
The listing mentions the home is beautifully modernized with a modern kitchen and bathroom, but it retains its classic 1870 character.
Industrial
No industrial design elements are described in this canal house.
Mediterranean
No Mediterranean style elements mentioned; this is a Dutch canal house.
Classic
Built in 1870, described as a characterful canal house with classic front door, classic layout, and protected cityscape status.
Exterior Style
Traditional / Historic
Built in 1870, described as a characteristic canal house (karaktervolle grachtenwoning) with a classic layout, beamed ceilings, and a classic front door in a protected cityscape.
Early 20th Century
The house was built in 1870, placing it firmly in the 19th century, not the early 20th century.
Post-War Functional
The house predates WWII by over 70 years, so it is not a post-war functional building.
Modernist
It is a 19th-century canal house with classic features, completely contrary to modernist architecture.
Newly Built
The listing explicitly classifies it as existing construction (bestaande bouw) from 1870.
Kitchen
Dishwasher
No dishwasher mentioned in the listing, which is typically specified if present
Microwave
No microwave mentioned in the listing
Kitchen Island
Listing describes a straight kitchen layout (rechte keukenopstelling), which typically excludes an island
Open Plan Kitchen
Listing mentions open connection (open verbinding) between living room and dining room where kitchen is located
Pantry
No pantry mentioned; there is a bijkeuken (utility room) but this is separate from pantry
Stove
Listing explicitly mentions 6-pits fornuis (6-burner stove)
Built-in Coffee Maker
No built-in coffee maker mentioned in the listing
Boiling Water Tap
No boiling water tap (like Quooker) mentioned in the listing
Downdraft Extractor
Listing mentions schouw met afzuigkap (chimney with extractor hood), indicating traditional extractor, not downdraft
Shared Kitchen
This is a single-family canal house, not shared housing
Designer Kitchen
Described as modern straight kitchen but no high-end brands or luxury finishes indicated
New Kitchen
House described as beautifully modernized but no specific age or date given for the kitchen
Parking & Storage
Parking
The listing mentions parking on the property and public parking in the direct vicinity.
Storage Room
The property features a utility room (bijkeuken) and 56 m² of external storage space.
Garage
The property includes a fully insulated detached wooden garage with underfloor heating.
Double Garage
The listing explicitly states the garage has a capacity of 1 car.
Attic
The garage has a loft (vliering) and the additional available garage box has a storage attic (bergzolder).
Covered Parking
The detached garage provides covered parking for one vehicle.
Underground Parking
There is no mention of any underground parking facilities.
Workshop
The additional garage box available for purchase is specifically described as offering workspace (klusruimte).
Rules
Leasehold
The listing explicitly states 'Volle eigendom' (freehold) and 'eigen grond' (own land).
Other Rules
The property is located in a protected cityscape ('Beschermd stads- of dorpsgezicht'), which typically implies exterior alteration restrictions.
Safety & Accessibility
Elevator
The property is a 2-story historical canal house from 1870 with no mention of an elevator.
Private Entrance
The listing describes a terraced house with its own classic front door and a rear entrance to the garden.
Automatic Gate
The listing mentions a backyard with a rear entrance (achterom) but no automatic gate.
Gated Community
The property is a canal house in a historical city center, not part of a gated community.
Wheelchair Accessible
The house is from 1870, features stairs to the first floor, and makes no mention of accessibility adaptations.
Utilities & Technical
Washing Machine Connections
The listing explicitly states 'aansluitingen voor wasmachine en droger' (connections for washing machine and dryer) in the utility room.
Laundry Room
The listing describes a 'bijkeuken' (utility room) containing washing machine/dryer connections, a sink, cabinet space, and the CV setup.
Ventilation System
The listing explicitly lists 'natuurlijke ventilatie' (natural ventilation) as one of the provisions.
Energy Efficiency
Solar Panels
The listing explicitly mentions '12 Zonnepanelen (geplaatst in 2023)'.
Double Glazing
The listing lists 'dubbel glas' under the insulation features.
Triple Glazing
Double glazing is explicitly mentioned, but there is no mention of triple glazing.
Wall Insulation
The listing explicitly states 'muurisolatie' under the insulation features.
Floor Insulation
The listing explicitly states 'vloerisolatie' under the insulation features.
Roof Insulation
The listing explicitly states 'dakisolatie' under the insulation features.
Heat Pump
The property uses a gas-fired 'Cv-ketel' (Nefit, 2013) for heating, with no mention of a heat pump.
Home Battery
Despite having solar panels, there is no mention of a home battery storage system.
Other Energy Efficiency Measures
The property includes underfloor heating and an air conditioning unit for climate control.