SURROUNDINGS
An area in motion
HAARLEMMER STROOM AND FIGEE
The Droste factory is located on the Spaarne river in the northeast of Haarlem, on the edge of an industrial area. This wetland area was drained in the 13th century and is now known as the Waarderpolder .
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, factories that caused odors, noise or fire hazards in the city were moved to this site. A convenient location for transport: either via the Spaarne, or via the nearby railway. The municipal gas factory was there, as was the Cohen & Van der Laan margarine factory and the Conrad shipyard. The Figee brothers also established their maritime machine factory there.
Haarlemmer Stroom and Figee
Directly behind the Droste factory is the area now known as Haarlemmer Stroom : a former complex of factory buildings that supplied electricity to the residents of Haarlem and the surrounding area. Haarlemmers also know it as 'The New Energy'.
The site has a number of old factory buildings and is being redeveloped. Some of them are still in use, such as the Lichtfabriek, now a well-known event location. The Meterhuis used to serve as an event and catering venue, but has recently been transformed into an office location. The other old business premises are also on the list for renovation.
Adjacent, just across the pedestrian and bicycle bridge, is the Figeeterrein, which offers space mainly to many service companies and creative entrepreneurs. An example of this is the business complex 'De BakkeRij' .