New addition to Monumentenbezit: Boerhaavelaan 6 in Leiden
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Monumentenbezit may add a special property to its collection: the residence at Boerhaavelaan 6 in Leiden. The property, built in 1909, was recently transferred by the family of Professor J.A.J. Barge, who had owned it since 1920.
Architecture by Hendrik Jesse
Although the original architect of Boerhaavelaan 6 was probably Willem Fontein, the house received its characteristic appearance in 1926 thanks to the Leiden architect Hendrik Jesse (1860-1943). In the vicinity of the Rijnsburgerweg and Boerhaavelaan, many buildings show the hand of Jesse. The Boerhaavelaan was constructed in 1906 as the Oegstgeesterlaan, on territory that belonged to Oegstgeest before the 1896 expansion. The Leiden architect Jesse, known for his versatile style and craftsmanship, widened the property and added such distinctive details as metal ornaments and generous window openings. His designs balanced between craft and innovation: austere, robust forms with a refined sense of light and space.
A house with history
Boerhaavelaan 6 has a rich and sometimes fraught history. Since its sale in 1920 to Professor J.A.J. Barge, the property remained family property for more than a hundred years. In early November 1940, during a lecture he gave, Barge spoke out against National Socialist racial doctrine and the exclusion of his Jewish colleagues. A year and a half later, he was arrested and imprisoned in the St. Michielsgestel hostage camp. His home, Boerhaavelaan 6, was then occupied by the Ortskommandantur. After the occupation, the property came back into the hands of the Barge family. Over the years, the house has served various functions, including art studio and residence.
New destination: textile research center
Monumentenbezit searched for a new, socially relevant use for the property. In consultation with the City of Leiden, the choice was made for the Textile Research Centre (TRC), a leading institute for textile research, which will settle here in 2026. This will give the building a cultural and scientific use that matches its historical value.
Conservation and recovery
Before the TRC can fully occupy the property, restoration work will take place. The structure of the house is in good condition, but there are several restoration issues. For example, asbestos will be removed, the shell repaired, the electrical system modified, lead pipes replaced, plumbing renewed and interior painting done. This work is necessary to future-proof the property. Monument Property will have this done carefully, respecting the historic value of the building. Additional building history research will also be conducted to better map the history and construction phases of the property.
Photography: © Normafotografia / Norma van der Horst
