The harbor basin was constructed more than a hundred years ago on the outskirts of the village of Zuilen, which at that time had not yet been incorporated by Utrecht. In 1913 the company Werkspoor was established here and a little later Demka. Together, both companies formed the beating heart of industrial Utrecht and were the largest employers in the entire province. Werkspoor built trains, steam boilers and bridges; Demka was a steel producer, also a supplier to Werkspoor. An entire “Werkspoor Quarter” emerged around these companies, with various factories, workshops and housing for the hundreds of employees. Not entirely coincidentally, this strategic location was chosen: right next to a railroad line and directly on the Merwedekanaal (later the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal). It was the time when practically all transportation was still by rail and inland waterway.
Industrial heritage
In 1972, Werkspoor’s train factory ceased operations. Steel producer Demka closed a little later, in 1977. Both factory halls and surrounding buildings are now industrial heritage, with the “Werkspoor Cathedral” as the eye-catcher. The building has since been transformed into a hip event location, with a waterfront terrace. For this reason, too, something had to be done about the ‘cluttered’ surroundings. Van Schie was commissioned to reinforce the quays. This was done with 207 ten-meter-long steel sheet piles, supplied by HP Staal (part of the Van Schie Group). Soon the entire sheet piling will be neatly finished with a concrete edge, a so-called concrete gap. The intention is to upgrade the area around the small harbor into a pleasant place for recreation, with a terrace and an urban beach. There are even plans for a jetty or pontoon, so that you can also have a drink floating on the water. Van Schie carried out this project on behalf of Van Essen GWW
