Renewed De Gaard shopping center in Utrecht officially reopened
Friday afternoon and yesterday shopping center De Gaard in Utrecht was festively reopened. The shopping center has recently been thoroughly renovated in order to modernize, make it more sustainable and future-proof. We would like to take you through the metamorphosis/transformation that De Gaard has undergone and report on the festivities that took place - all in line with the guidelines of the RIVM, of course. First a look back, to how it all started for the mall.
For more than 50 years a household name in Utrecht Tuindorp.
De Gaard has fulfilled an important function in the Utrecht neighborhood of Tuindorp and its surroundings for decades. Back in 1966 the shopping center was opened by then Alderman T. Harteveld, under the watchful eye of many local residents and interested parties. In the 54 years since it opened, De Gaard has become a household name when it comes to doing (non-) daily shopping and has become a place where local residents meet and entrepreneurs form personal relationships with their customers. The renovations that have been realized reinforce these qualities of the mall.
Shopping is experience: a modern, more sustainable and future-proof Gaard.
During the redevelopment, the mall has undergone a number of thorough renovations to both the interior and exterior. The look-and-feel has been adapted to the contemporary feel of convenient shopping and the number of branches has been expanded. Also, the mall has almost doubled in area.
Official opening invited guests
On Friday, Sept. 4, the mall was officially opened for invited guests. During the official part, speeches were given by representatives of involved parties. Top Vastgoed, (Frank van Kessel) of Van der Vorm Vastgoed (Sico van Ammers) and chairman of the shopkeepers association (Martijn v.d. Mheen) all told something about De Gaard. In addition, the Koningshek was opened by Alderman Verschuure and introduced with an Argentinian Tango, which fits the partially Argentinian Royal House and stands for transformation of art in corona time. Afterwards - taking into account the current RIVM measures - toasts were held while enjoying live music.
Official opening visitors
Saturday, September 5, it was then the turn of several groups of visitors to experience the renovated Gaard. Given the current situation regarding Covid-19, this was quite an organizational task, resulting in a very successful reopening.
Divided into different target groups according to age, multiple events took place throughout the day presenting the mall in an appropriate and festive manner.
All in all, we are very pleased with the final result. Shopping center De Gaard is ready for now and the future and the reopening was a true celebration for everyone. We would like to thank all stakeholders and partners, who created this beautiful result with us, for the wonderful cooperation. Top Vastgoed, Belangenvereniging winkeliers De Gaard, Cushman & Wakefield, Municipality of Utrecht, Moke Architects, De Vries en Verburg, FanWorks Events, FiMek and many others who made this possible. Thanks in part to you, De Gaard has a bright future and will continue to be a place where people come together for shopping and social interaction.
