Malburgen has a new meeting place. On February 12, the key handover took place for De Hobbit: the new community center with a gym and 12 social rental apartments. Alderman Paul Smeulders, together with director Liesbeth van Asten of housing corporation Volkshuisvesting Arnhem, symbolically received the key. The old Hobbit was in need of a new building. With the combination of community center, gym, and 12 brand new rental apartments, the parties breathe new life into the location.

De Hobbit is a collaboration between the Municipality of Arnhem, Volkshuisvesting, residents of Malburgen, welfare organization Rijnstad, and Sportbedrijf Arnhem. The building will be a central place in the neighborhood where residents can meet, exercise, and organize activities.

Alderman Paul Smeulders: “Malburgen has a beautiful new place: De Hobbit. After years of renovation, the result is excellent. Here adventures begin, people find each other, and children can play happily.”

A place for the neighborhood

De Hobbit offers space for a community center and gym and also includes 12 life-cycle-proof social rental apartments. The surrounding public space will be green and inviting, with playgrounds and walking paths. This creates a safe and accessible environment for young and old.

Sustainable and future-oriented

The design explicitly takes sustainability and climate adaptation into account. The area around the Whemeplas has been greened, there is space for water storage, and ecological connections in the neighborhood have been strengthened. Art is also added as part of the Malburgen Art Route.

On April 1, the opening of De Hobbit will be celebrated festively together with residents and partners.