The population of The Hague will grow considerably in the next twenty years from 525,000 residents to over 625,000. To meet this challenge, the municipality is encouraging inner-city densification within the Central Innovation District (CID), a triangular area bounded by the city’s three train stations. The Grace is being realised at Rijswijkseweg and overlooks the Trekvliet canal, which will be transformed into a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly waterfront park in the coming years. The Grace links the Binckhorst and Laakhavens neighbourhoods with the city-centre, but also entrepreneurs with residents.
The residential concept is based on the growing demand for affordable housing and fostering a sense of community. With over 1,300 social, medium and free-sector rental properties and a wide range of communal facilities for the residents and neighbourhood, The Grace addresses this need.
The two-tower ensemble, one reaching 105 meters and the other 140 meters, sits on an urban plinth. The buildings form a harmonious composition with subtle variations in open and closed facade elements, transparent and round corners, materialisation and colour. Residents can enjoy a view of the city and, beyond that, of the sea.
The ground floor features commercial functions, such as a catering along the Trekvliet canal. The residential units are located on the upper floors, with student housing positioned along the railway. The service street is situated on the north side, where all traffic flows converge. The plinth opens to the new waterfront park along the Trekvliet canal in the form of a raised green roof garden that offers space to the resident community for all kinds of activities.
A transparent lobby forms the lively heart of the complex. It offers informal work and gathering areas for residents, a reception desk for visitors, and a direct connection to the internal bicycle parking facility. The lobby is, in fact, an extended home. Here, you can meet each other or find a place to work or study. The Grace facilitates and connects its residents, making it a unique place to live.
The Grace is a sustainable high-rise development with high-quality materials, equipped with an energy-efficient heat recovery system, shared smart amenities, and green rooftop gardens. In addition, The Grace is gas-free and fully electric, with a significant portion of its energy needs met by an on-site solar park spanning an impressive 4,500 m².