A Harmonious Contrast

While walking or biking in between the Noordeinde and the Haagweg and standing on the Wittepoortsbrug looking to the other side of the water, you might be struck by the contrast between the old, mysterious villa and the modernist student flat. But that would be judging a book by its cover.

Most of the passersby will have no clue about the rich history that these two buildings collectively tell. Living, working and studying all come together here. Villa Naomi has witnessed neighbors coming and going. Initially built in the greenery of the old 17th century estate, the city villa became neighbors with the candy factory owned by the Pel brothers. On the foundations of that factory, a new neighbor arose in the ‘60s: the student flat called the Pelcomplex. But even half a century before the Pelcomplex was built, the first residents of the villa, the Beekman family, already housed dozens of students. The students from that time have by now all passed away, just like the members of the Beekman family who once lived in the city villa. But Naomi still stands and has by now seen thousands of students come and go in the neighboring flat. It seems as though the world of students and the city villa are more connected than one might expect.