Thorbeckelaan 20, 7521 AV Enschede, Netherlands, Enschede, Overijssel

Monumental villas with contemporary interiors are true gems, often featured in TV programs. This villa on Thorbeckelaan, built in 1926 as a rectory, is such a rare dream home. Designed in the Um 1800 style by architect Huijgens, the property offers a unique blend of nostalgia and modern comfort. Surrounded by greenery, the villa provides ample privacy while being close to the center of Enschede. The house exudes exclusivity and retains many authentic elements, such as the staircase and wood carvings. The spacious, high-ceilinged rooms with parquet floors are full of character. Recent renovations have added modern, sleek elements, such as an extension with wooden panels, all done in consultation with Monumentenzorg. Over its more than 100-year history, this villa has witnessed much. The grande dame has survived two world wars, narrowly escaping the last. Bombings completely destroyed the nearby elementary school. To continue providing education to the children, a temporary classroom was set up in the rectory. During air raids, they would rush to a safe shelter in the basement. At that time, Reverend Nanne Zwiep lived in the rectory with his family. In church, he preached against the persecution of Jews, which cost him dearly. Reverend Zwiep was arrested and transported to Dachau, where he died in 1942. In his memory, a Stolperstein was placed in the floor in front of the villas front door. The rectory also served as a hiding place for refugees, revealed by a removable plank in a closet on the second floor. Behind the wall, the residents found a childs shoe and old newspapers. Out of respect for the past, the space has been preserved. The history also brought beautiful moments: former residents, often children of pastors, would leave notes or ring the doorbell to visit their old home once more. During those visits, heartwarming stories were shared. The positive atmosphere of the rectory, always palpable, ensures that visitors feel right at home. The villa, shielded with a distinguished fence, is built on a mound. The terrace with the impressive double front door is reached via a stone staircase. Above it is a graceful balcony. In the entrance hall, featuring a small radiator and a new meter cupboard, begins the beautiful terrazzo floor. Through a glass swing door, you enter the large, bright hallway with the same terrazzo floor. Immediately, you are struck by the seamless blend of then and now. Particularly impressive are the extensive door frames with artisanal wood carvings from the past. A large, round designer lamp on the ceilingrepeated elsewhere in the villarepresents the present. When lit, the pattern of the lamp is reflected on the walls, creating a magical effect. On the right, you find the first room with three tall windows. The former study now serves as a chill room, but it is also perfectly suitable as a bedroom. In addition to the two monumental built-in closets, there is a third closet that houses the water softener. If you go straight right down the hallway, you enter a small hallway with two doors. The left door leads to a spacious, underground cellar with two windows. There are plenty of closets on both sides. The floor has recently been replaced with tiles in an old style. Behind the second door is a restroom, equipped with a window, toilet, sink, and radiator. Returning to the hallway, you walk diagonally straight into the living room en suite. Furniture is almost redundant here; the living space itself exudes atmosphere. The area is divided into a front room and a dining room. The beautiful, glass suite sliding doors with built-in storage on either side allow the rooms to be separated. To maintain the symmetry of the monumental building in the windows as well, an extra window has been added to the outer wall of the front room. In that same wall, a flue is present in the middle, under which stands a wood stove as an elegant addition to the cozy ambiance. Warmth is also provided by radiators under the windowsills. The dining room also features radiators and a wood stove. The mantel above the stove is lined with Oud-Hollandse tiles, forming an original accessory in the otherwise serene room. Wooden sliding doors, framed with storage behind wooden doors, provide access to the backyard. From the dining room, you walk into the kitchen. The large, high windows offer a view of the terrace and garden. Here too, there is a sober, pleasantly calming interior base. The small, gray, antique-looking floor tiles are original handmade Castelo tiles with underfloor heating; how delightful! They share the same gray tone as the imposing cabinet wall with a large refrigerator, fresh-keeping drawers, steam oven, warming drawer, and kitchen cabinets that reach the ceiling. A stainless steel niche in the middle of the wall is the spot for the six-burner gas stove with an oven. The stove is flanked by spacious, deep basket drawers, with a concealed pull-out pantry on the right side. There is no lack of storage space in this practical kitchen. If cooking is your hobby, this is the culinary Valhalla. There is enough room to try out recipes for the tastiest dishes together. Prefer to watch? You can do so from one of the six stools at the generous kitchen island that forms the heart of the kitchen. A rail on the ceiling supports spotlights and pendant lights. The kitchen island has a stainless steel worktop and sink with a tap, Quooker, and built-in soap dispenser. You can place the dirty dishes directly in the dishwasher below. Very practical, and you can immediately join the bar for an aperitif. The kitchen also has a mantelpiece, which is currently out of service but can be reactivated. A charming detail in the kitchen is the pass-through in the wall to the dining room. According to legend, servants used it daily and frequently in the past. Nowadays, the pass-through mainly fuels your imagination What all has passed through here? It could be a separate chapter in the history book of this villa. Adjacent to the kitchen, an extension was created in 2015. The passage is entirely made of glass and opens into the second dining room. In keeping with the monumental character of the house, the space is largely furnished in the same style as the rest of the ground floor. The same tiled floor as in the kitchen, white plastered walls, and high windows. The main difference lies in the style. The interior frames are made of the same wood as the exterior wooden panels. The space is lit by ceiling spotlights and pendant lights and features storage space against a Delft blue wallpapered wall, a nod to history. After the dining room, through the small hallway, the inside and outside are separated by a sliding door to the terrace on the left. In the hallway, there are also sliding doors that disappear into the wall when opened, providing access to the wardrobe with hanging and laying options and a glass door to the outside. Depending on the season, wool mittens or sun hats can easily be stored in the extensive closet wall that spans the entire wall width. Beyond the wardrobe is the back door to the driveway and the street side of the garage. The shed cum garage is built in a matching style. The spacious garage with double doors at the front and back offers space for a car and storage for all kinds of tools and other items. If youre creative, you can quickly turn it into a workshop. The majestic staircase with graceful, curving handrails featuring original wood carvings is a monument in itself. Ascend the runner and you reach a small landing with a large window and another small staircase. This is the ascent to the first floor, which is lit by the second round designer lamp. Various bedrooms feature spherical lamps on the ceilings....