An example of sustainable redevelopment of outdated real estate
When artificial silk producer NYMA left Nijmegen in the 1980s, the industrial buildings and the site along the Waal fell into decline. In recent years, a group of three childhood friends has brought new activity to the NYMA site. NYMA Makersplaats will soon be home to 250 creative entrepreneurs. The Development and Redevelopment Company Gelderland (OHG) - managed by Oost NL - supports this initiative with funding and advice.
What is NYMA Makersplaats?
Bas de Vries, co-founder of NYMA Makersplaats: “It all started when I, together with my childhood friends Bauke Smit and Wimke van den Heuvel, set up a temporary multi-tenant building for creative entrepreneurs in the old Honig factory in Nijmegen. When that factory had to make way for housing, we decided we wanted to create such a place one more time. But this time, as owners - and in a permanent location, to create lasting value. That became NYMA Makersplaats, located on the NYMA site. We’re now transforming it into a vibrant mini-society where, eventually, 250 creative entrepreneurs will come together to collaborate.”
William van de Worp, senior project manager at the Development and Redevelopment Company Gelderland (OHG): “The NYMA case is a textbook example of what OHG makes possible: sustainable redevelopment of existing, outdated real estate in urban areas into places where entrepreneurs want to settle. OHG is a fund from the Province of Gelderland that allows us to make an impact on the built environment.”
What public value does the redevelopment of the NYMA site serve?
Van de Worp: “Preserving industrial heritage and stimulating local enterprise is one reason to support this project. On top of that, a creative hotspot like NYMA Makersplaats brings real value to a city.”
De Vries: “The Municipality of Nijmegen designated the NYMA site as a place for art, culture, sports, play, and crafts. This means it’s not just about housing makers in studios - it’s also about large-scale events, workshops, and festivals. There are restaurants, a coffee roastery, and a skate hall. A creative hotspot in a city functions like a fertile layer of soil; it’s a breeding ground for innovation and talent.”
Oost NL contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals
To redevelop a site with old, sometimes completely derelict industrial buildings, you need vision, funding, and time. Without the support of OHG, we wouldn’t be able to get the 11,000 square metres we’re taking on off the ground.
Bas de Vries - co-founder of NYMA Makersplaats
How does Oost NL support NYMA Makersplaats?
Van de Worp: “Triodos Bank provided the bank loan for the redevelopment of the site. OHG is helping bridge the period that NYMA Makersplaats needs to raise sufficient own capital and get started. From OHG, we’re also part of the conversations about how to make the business case more profitable and financeable - possibly with support from other Oost NL funds. So we don’t just finance the project, we also support its further development.”
De Vries: “In the end, we want to become self-sufficient by operating the buildings ourselves. But to do that, we first need to reach a certain scale. OHG and Oost NL give us breathing space. In principle, they provide short-term financing, but they absolutely think along with us about the long term. That takes pioneering - even in how it’s financed.”
How is the collaboration going?
De Vries: “To redevelop a site with old, sometimes completely derelict industrial buildings, you need vision, funding, and time. Without the support of OHG, we wouldn’t be able to get the 11,000 square metres we’re taking on off the ground.”
Van de Worp: “Professional developers stay in business by generating sufficient return on the project itself. A solid return on development is a - necessary - goal in order to move on to the next project. For the entrepreneurs behind NYMA Makersplaats, return on development is not the goal. The development of the site itself and the societal impact it brings are the goals. They want to build a collaborative structure and offer long-term housing for Nijmegen’s creative community. With the help of Oost NL, they can fully focus on that mission. The Municipality of Nijmegen has also stepped up for the NYMA site. It has covered a number of costs and structured the land allocation in such a way that the initial outlay remains limited. We, too, are willing to postpone our return. But of course, OHG ultimately wants to see the money come back - so we can support similar projects again.”
De Vries: “It’s fantastic to see what is now emerging here. A truly unique development where we, as the end users, are at the centre. This is our life’s work.”
Go to the NYMA website.