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A neighbourhood like a well-oiled machine

Once upon a time Hoogkwartier was a real district for automobiles – an industrial network. Van Geest is one of the last remaining garages.

2e Sint Janshof Marlies

Van Geest automotive is one of the last remaining garages in the Hoogkwartier area. Hoogkwartier had many garages once; the Garage Rotterdam centre for contemporary art was, as its name suggests, originally built as a garage. The story told by Van Geest’s owner, Peter de Jager, shows how busy the car industry in the Hoogkwartier area once was. He recalls a time when the whole neighbourhood was focused on the automotive industry. “You had everything nearby.” The service courtyards behind Hoogstraat held various workshops: metal shops, body paint shops, garages. There were also a number of showrooms in the area. It ran like a well-oiled machine. The Motor Palace at the intersection of Goudsesingel and Mariniersweg was an icon of the local industry. “Crowds of people flocked there in the weekend.”

The Motor Palace at the intersection of Goudsesingel and Mariniersweg was an icon of the local industry. “Crowds of people flocked there in the weekend.”

Residential and business area

The building where Mr De Jager’s business is based is set up perfectly for use as a garage. The floors are slanted to make it easy for cars to drive into the garage on the courtyard side and leave again out the front. The service courtyards and the narrow alleyways that connected them were sort of like a shadow network throughout the neighbourhood. During the reconstruction, the Hoogkwartier area was designed to accommodate a combination of small-scale industry and housing. The large work spaces opening onto the service courtyards were ideal for small industrial businesses. Room for housing was created above the stores and workshops. The Hoogkwartier area was truly intended for residential and business use.

The large work spaces opening onto the service courtyards were ideal for small industrial businesses. Room for housing was created above the stores and workshops. The Hoogkwartier area was truly intended for residential and business use.

Local industry

The local industry has changed dramatically in recent decades. It ebbed away bit by bit once the municipality started pushing industry out of the city centre. “In ancient times, there were also smithies located in this neighbourhood, but they aren’t around anymore. We have also adapted our company to the current times. Our spray booth is gone now, and we make sure not to bother the locals, for instance by not doing soot measurements here.”

“In ancient times, there were also smithies located in this neighbourhood, but they aren’t around anymore.”

Gleaming tiles

The garage still retains many reminders of bygone days, like the gleaming tiles on the walls and the gold lettering on the shop window. Mr De Jager does not have a strong opinion about the local architecture in the neighbourhood. “The courtyards have a certain charm, but it would only truly be fun if the neighbourhood were to function as a network again. A well-oiled machine.”

“The courtyards have a certain charm, but it would only truly be fun if the neighbourhood were to function as a network again. A well-oiled machine.”
The story of
Peter de Jager Autobedrijf H&P van Geest
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