Area developer AM, part of BAM, has acquired the Holiday Inn development site on Fellenoord in Eindhoven from Somerset Capital Partners, marking a major milestone in the transformation of one of the city’s most strategically located urban areas. Situated directly opposite Eindhoven Central Station and at the heart of the Brainport region, the site will be redeveloped into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood featuring approximately 1,000 homes, community facilities, commercial spaces, green public areas and a potential new city landmark.
The ambitious project forms part of the wider Fellenoord district regeneration, a key component of the Knoop XL urban transformation programme. AM will lead the area development while BAM’s residential construction division will deliver the project in close collaboration with the Municipality of Eindhoven and the Fellenoord 2040 Development Company.
Delivering Much-Needed Housing
The redevelopment will make a significant contribution to Eindhoven’s growing housing demand by creating around 1,000 new homes. Approximately 85% of the residential units will be delivered within the affordable housing segment, supporting the city’s ambition to provide accessible homes for a wide range of residents, including first-time buyers, families, essential workers and older people.
Beyond residential development, the project has been designed to create a complete urban neighbourhood where people can live, work, learn and enjoy recreational activities within walking distance.
Community Facilities at the Heart of the Development
A key feature of the masterplan is the inclusion of a SPIL Centre, which will bring together several essential community services under one roof. The facility will include a primary school, childcare centre, after-school care and a modern sports hall, creating a vibrant hub for education and community engagement.
The mixed-use neighbourhood will also feature a wide variety of amenities designed to serve both residents and visitors. Plans include hospitality venues, cafés and restaurants, small-scale retail outlets, flexible office and workspace facilities, creative studios and additional sports facilities.
A hotel is also expected to remain part of the redevelopment, although the exact concept and operational model will be determined during the next stages of planning.
Opportunity for a New Skyline Landmark
One of the most striking elements of the proposal is the possibility of constructing a residential tower reaching up to 150 metres in height.
While the final height will be confirmed during the detailed planning process, a tower built to its maximum permitted height would become one of the tallest buildings in Eindhoven and the wider region, creating a prominent new landmark on the city’s skyline while strengthening the identity of the rapidly developing station district.
Strong Partnership for Urban Development
The project combines AM’s extensive experience in large-scale area development with BAM’s expertise in residential construction and project delivery.
The broader regeneration of the Fellenoord district is coordinated by the Fellenoord 2040 Development Company on behalf of the Municipality of Eindhoven and the Province of North Brabant, ensuring that the redevelopment aligns with the long-term vision for the city’s growth.
Prime Location in the Heart of Eindhoven
According to Stijn Steenbakkers, Alderman for Brainport, Economy, Urban Growth and Area Developments within the Ring Road for the Municipality of Eindhoven, the Holiday Inn site represents one of the city’s most important redevelopment opportunities due to its exceptional location opposite Eindhoven Central Station.
He noted that AM has already established itself as a trusted long-term development partner through projects on the southern side of the station and expressed confidence that the collaboration would create an attractive, lively and welcoming urban destination over the coming years. He also highlighted that the planned tower has the potential to become another defining feature of Eindhoven’s skyline.
Improving Connectivity and Public Space
The redevelopment extends beyond new buildings by significantly enhancing public infrastructure and urban connectivity.
One of the major improvements involves addressing existing bottlenecks around Kruisstraat. The current pedestrian and cycling tunnel beneath Fellenoord will be replaced by a safer, more spacious at-grade crossing that provides stronger connections between surrounding neighbourhoods.
This transformation will replace underground infrastructure with an attractive public realm prioritising pedestrians and cyclists, creating more accessible routes and improving the overall quality of public space. Together with other ongoing developments in the Woensel-Zuid district, the project will contribute to a more connected, people-focused and enjoyable city environment.
Sustainability Embedded Throughout the Project
Sustainability forms a central pillar of the redevelopment strategy.
The new buildings will connect to Eindhoven Energie’s district heating network, reducing carbon emissions while supporting the city’s broader sustainability objectives. The site’s outstanding public transport accessibility, combined with extensive cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, encourages environmentally friendly mobility choices.
In addition, generous green spaces, climate-resilient landscaping, healthy public environments and recreational areas will be integrated throughout the development, helping create a neighbourhood designed for long-term environmental performance and quality of life.
Vision for an Inclusive Urban Community
Isidoor Hermans, Director of Fellenoord 2040, said the project perfectly reflects the long-term vision for the district by combining affordable housing with essential public facilities including schools, childcare, green public spaces and play areas.
He explained that the development will strengthen connections between Oud-Woensel and the station district while creating an inclusive community where first-time buyers, families, senior residents and essential workers can all find suitable housing and access high-quality amenities.
Jaap van Engelshoven, Development Director at AM, described the project as a unique opportunity to transform a prominent city-centre location. He said the current hotel site will evolve into a vibrant new urban quarter that combines housing, education, community facilities and public gathering spaces while making an important contribution to solving Eindhoven’s housing shortage.
Part of the Wider Knoop XL Transformation
The redevelopment represents another major milestone in the implementation of Eindhoven’s Knoop XL regeneration programme surrounding Eindhoven Central Station.
Over the coming years, the wider district is expected to deliver approximately 9,000 new homes alongside extensive commercial, educational and recreational facilities. Areas currently dominated by traffic infrastructure and office buildings will gradually be transformed into thriving mixed-use neighbourhoods designed for living, working and leisure.
Hotel operations at the Holiday Inn will continue during the planning process. Subject to the completion of statutory planning procedures, demolition and construction are expected to begin towards the end of 2029, with the overall construction programme anticipated to take approximately three to four years.
Source link:https://www.bam.com/
