Historic Former Blacksmith's Workshop Converted into a Spacious Townhouse in Wittevrouwen

The property at Ooftstraat 11 in Utrecht is a former blacksmith's workshop dating back to approximately 1881, now converted into a spacious character home. This semi-detached townhouse is located in the desirable Wittevrouwen neighborhood, an area known for its historical significance and charming atmosphere. The property offers approximately 146 square meters of living space, situated on a plot of 82 square meters, and features a city garden, patio area, and a rooftop terrace.

The Ooftstraat holds a special place in Utrecht's history. It is recognized as one of the most beautiful and historic streets in Wittevrouwen, known for its connection to the famous Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld, whose birthplace is located on this same street. The diverse architectural styles present along the street create a unique streetscape that reflects different periods of development. This particular property is noted as one of the first stone houses built in Wittevrouwen following the Wittevrouwen monastery era, giving it additional historical significance.

The exterior facade of the property immediately reveals its 19th-century origins through its distinctive brickwork pattern, elegant rooflines, and beautiful stained glass windows. The arrangement of the facade hints at the building's original function as a blacksmith's workshop, with proportions that differ from typical residential buildings of the era. The surrounding properties also contribute to the historical atmosphere of the street, creating a cohesive streetscape of period architecture.

Upon entering through the front door, visitors are greeted by an entrance hall with an impressive ceiling height of over four meters. Colorful stained glass windows and a sweeping staircase leading to both the bel-etage (main floor) and the basement level create an immediate impression of character and space. This entrance sets the tone for the rest of the property, which maintains its historical elements while offering modern living comfort.

The bel-etage is divided into three distinct spaces: a front room, the main living room, and a rear room known as an opkamer. The front room at the front of the property features a distinctive windowsill and has its own separate entrance, allowing this space to serve multiple functions depending on the owner's needs. The main living room can be accessed through sliding doors from the front room or through its own separate entrance. This living room is particularly notable for its width of approximately five meters, which is uncommon for properties in Wittevrouwen and provides a generous sense of space. Character elements in the living room include a wooden floor, a natural stone fireplace, paneled doors with architraves, and a special ceiling treatment that adds to the historic atmosphere.

The opkamer, overlooking the city garden and patio, provides a quiet retreat space suitable for reading or relaxation. This room connects the interior living spaces with the outdoor area, creating a natural flow between inside and outside.

The basement level, accessible via the main staircase, features a ceiling height of approximately 2.89 meters, which is generous for a basement space. This floor has been thoughtfully arranged to include a hallway with a convenient wardrobe closet, a first bathroom and toilet area, a practical laundry and storage room, a spacious living kitchen with access to the city garden and patio, and a bedstee (built-in bed alcove) that can function as a bedroom. The character of this level matches that of the upper floors, with a beamed ceiling featuring recessed spotlights, attractive window arrangements in the rear facade with tall window sections, traditional farmhouse tiles, and quality internal doors. The city garden and patio area provides privacy and natural cooling during warm summer days.

The first floor is reached via the landing and offers a spacious bedroom with a ridge height of approximately 3.77 meters. This sleeping floor has been arranged to include the main bedroom, a second bathroom, a walk-in closet, storage space, a wide dormer window, and access to a rooftop terrace of approximately 16 square meters. The character elements on this floor include wooden flooring, visible roof construction, and a stately fireplace. Due to the generous proportions of this floor, there is potential to create additional bedrooms, bringing the total to three or more as needed.

The property has undergone significant renovations and expansions over the years. A major renovation took place in 1999, which included the construction of a two-story extension at the rear of the property, covering both the basement and bel-etage levels. During this renovation, the entire property was reorganized and modernized while preserving its historical character.

According to building permits, the basement floor features an insulated concrete floor with a thermal resistance value of 2.5 m² K/W and a cement screed floor. The walls include internal insulation. The new rear facade was constructed with an inner and outer cavity wall filled with Rockwool insulation, also achieving 2.5 m² K/W thermal resistance. The flat roof section has also been insulated.

Energy consumption figures for the property are particularly favorable for a building of this age. Gas consumption for a two-person household is reported at 890 cubic meters, while electricity consumption stands at 1,589 kWh. These figures suggest that the insulation improvements have been effective in reducing energy costs compared to typical properties from the late 19th century.

The heating system consists of gas heaters, and hot water is provided by two Vaillant Mag Turbo geysers. The property features predominantly double glazing throughout. The energy label is noted as having been requested but is not yet available at the time of listing.

The Wittevrouwen neighborhood is described as a family-friendly area with numerous parks and play areas. The Jenaplan Wittevrouwen primary school is located within walking distance. The Biltstraat, just around the corner, offers daily shopping facilities as well as a variety of restaurants and cafes including Bastacosi, Food and the City, Spaghetteria, De Keuken van Thijs, MiLi, and restaurant Concours. Further into the neighborhood, residents can find Goesting, Coffeebar 75, the internationally known Roberto Gelato ice cream shop, C'est Ça, Lokaal Wittevrouwen, and a traditional bakery.

The Griftpark is located just around the corner from the property, and the historic city center is easily accessible via the Voorstraat. The Stadsschouwburg (city theater) is approximately a ten-minute walk away. Public transportation connections are convenient, with Utrecht Central Station accessible by bicycle or via multiple bus routes from the Biltstraat.

Parking in the area operates on a permit system. The property is connected to fiber optic internet services.

The property is offered at an asking price of 825,000 euros, which translates to approximately 5,651 euros per square meter of living space. The property is held in full ownership (volle eigendom) and is registered in the land registry under reference ABSTEDE B 947. The transfer is to be arranged by mutual agreement.

This property at Ooftstraat 11 represents a unique opportunity to acquire a historically significant home that has been thoughtfully updated for modern living while retaining its distinctive character. The combination of period features, practical layout, and prime location in one of Utrecht's most sought-after neighborhoods makes this a property with considerable appeal for those seeking a home with both history and functionality.