Mansion at Koningsplein 8

A magnificent mansion dating from 1875. Neo-Renaissance design. A beautiful façade with panelled decoration. The walls are constructed of red brick laid in a cross-bond pattern. Municipal monument.

A teacher’s house was built on this site in 1875, based on a Neo-Renaissance design, which grew into a centre of education. The architect is unknown. Antonius Franciscus ten Haaf, together with his wife Gerarda Gesina Winterink, established a boarding school there for local and external boys from the upper classes.

Upon the death of headmaster ten Haaf in 1921, this institution ceased to exist. Master J.M. Hoes, who was head of the boys’ school until 1952, subsequently moved into the building.

The construction of Koningsplein around 1900 marked the end for the small houses surrounding it. In 1903, the council bought up the entire area, built new properties and let them to civil servants with somewhat more generous salaries.

Today, this listed building remains a fine structure. Nowadays, you can hire atmospheric and unique meeting and training rooms within this building.

The façade has a strongly horizontal character due to the substantial, plastered plinth, the continuous natural stone sills, the plastered string courses and the entablature that crowns the façade. The frieze is plastered and features a panelled decoration. Above the frieze is a moulded wooden gutter. The roof surface facing the street is interrupted by two added skylights and a flue.

The masonry of the front façade is laid in a cross-bond pattern using red brick and has flat joints. Centrally located on the façade is the original front door, which is accessed via a brick step.

The building is of significance to Asten as a valuable part of an urban and architectural ensemble.

Did you know?

A couple of teachers used to live here, who set up a boarding school for boys from the upper classes?