Renovation of the Theresiakerk in the Rustenburg-Oostbroek neighbourhood is set to begin as soon as possible after the summer holidays, much to the satisfaction of all parties involved. The building will be transformed to include a supermarket, a community space, an underground car park, and eight assisted living apartments. The Municipality of The Hague will rent the community space from future owner Hoogvliet Beheer, ensuring it will serve as a social and meeting place for local residents.
Last year, the municipal executive (college van B&W) of The Hague granted an environmental permit for the transformation of the church building. This permit allows for the development of a supermarket and a social community space within the former church, as well as an underground parking garage. Eight assisted living apartments will be built on the site of the former presbytery, which will be demolished.
The permit has now become final, following the rejection of objections.
Community facility
The supermarket in the Theresiakerk will be operated by Hoogvliet. Director Riny Kouwer expressed enthusiasm about the next steps: “We are pleased to be able to start soon in this beautiful and unique location. This will help restore the church as a lively and central place in the neighbourhood, where meeting and connection, as in the past, are once again key.”
In addition to the supermarket, space has been reserved for a new community facility for the Rustenburg-Oostbroek neighbourhoods. The Municipality of The Hague, developer Kavel Vastgoed, and Hoogvliet Beheer have agreed on a shared ambition to dedicate around 200 square metres of the building to neighbourhood-focused social functions after completion. The Escamp district will work closely with local organisations to shape the use and programming of this space.
Therese Flemminks, who has been closely involved since 2016, emphasised the importance of this: “For us, the most important thing is that the Theresiakerk is renovated as soon as possible and that a part of the building remains secured as a community space. In the shopping centre area of the neighbourhood (Oostbroek), there are currently no social or welfare facilities.”
Housing
Along Apeldoornselaan, on the site of the current presbytery, eight assisted living apartments will be developed.
Preparations for the construction phase will begin once the permit is irrevocable. The parties involved expect building work to start in autumn 2026. Construction is expected to take around one and a half years, meaning the new supermarket and community space could open in early 2028.
A landmark building
Alderman Co Engberts said: “I am proud of the residents who have worked so hard for this, and of the result they have ultimately achieved. The Theresiakerk is a distinctive and defining building for the Rustenburg-Oostbroek neighbourhood. A building like this should not be lost. The long period of vacancy has not been good for the area, nor for the church itself.”
Local resident and initiator of the Theresiakerk garden project, Loes van Beek, also expressed pride in the outcome: “I am incredibly happy and proud that the Theresiakerk was preserved for the neighbourhood in 2019, thanks to the tireless efforts of residents and the support of Stichting SOS Den Haag and Vereniging Vrienden van Den Haag. I am also very pleased that part of the church will now have a social purpose. I look forward to people walking through this beautiful building again in 2028 and to new connections being formed.”
About the Theresiakerk
The Theresiakerk, built in 1929 and opened in 1931, was deconsecrated in 2007. Since a second-hand shop left the building at the end of 2018, it has no longer been accessible to the public. In 2019, the municipal council unanimously decided that the Theresiakerk should not be demolished. It took until 10 September 2025 for the redevelopment permit to be granted by the municipal executive.
Featured photo of representatives from the municipality, developers, and local residents.
Pictured include Alderman Co Engberts (brown coat), Loes van Beek (grey coat, centre front), Therese Flemminks (red coat, front), Riny Kouwer (front left), and other involved parties and residents.
Text & image: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation to English: The Hague Online