Construction of Koepel Car Park Begins: New Interparking Location in Haarlem
The construction of the underground car park at the Koepel site in Haarlem has officially begun. With this new two-level car park, Interparking Netherlands will soon add a distinctive location to its portfolio. The car park forms an essential link in the further development of the iconic Koepel site and contributes to the accessibility and attractiveness of this mixed-use urban area.
The start of construction was ceremonially marked on Tuesday 27 January in the presence of Alderman Floor Roduner and various project stakeholders. Interparking will be the owner and operator of the public car park, which will provide space for 192 vehicles and serve all functions on the Koepel site. Due to its location, the car park will also be attractive to visitors to Haarlem’s city centre.
Early involvement, better design
Interparking was involved at an early stage in the planning of the Koepel car park. This early involvement created opportunities to actively contribute to the design, traffic routing and overall user quality of the parking facility. Both the technical aspects and the user experience were central considerations.
In close cooperation with HBB Groep and other parties involved, targeted choices were made during several design rounds to simplify routing, reduce search traffic and improve ease of use. For example, traffic circulation was adjusted and a spiral ramp was added. These interventions proved crucial to the feasibility of the project.
A special location requires care
The Koepel site is not an average location. The former dome prison is a monumental landmark in Haarlem and has recently been redeveloped into a vibrant area featuring, among other things, a cinema, educational facilities, a hotel and offices. The underground car park enables the next phase of development, including the realisation of student housing and regular residential units.
Construction is being carried out by HBB Groep, using the innovative “undermining” construction method. This technique limits disruption to the surrounding area and makes it possible to build safely and efficiently in a complex urban environment.
Bob Poot, Managing Director of Interparking in the Netherlands, says: “The former dome prison, with its monumental status and distinctive character, is a landmark in Haarlem. Realising a two-level underground car park in this setting requires great care and craftsmanship. That is precisely why I am proud that we will soon be able to add this underground parking facility to our portfolio and thereby contribute to the attractiveness and accessibility of the city.”
Strong cooperation as a foundation
The cooperation with HBB Groep and other parties involved formed an important foundation for the success of the planning process. By maintaining an open dialogue and jointly seeking improvements, a design was created that is functional and well suited to the special context of the location.
The Koepel car park is therefore not only a new parking facility, but also an example of how early coordination between developer and parking specialist can lead to a better end result.
The realisation of the Koepel car park is expected to take approximately two years.
Image 1 (from left to right): Gren Molenkamp – Director of Development, HBB Group; Nick Jaring – Director of Operations, HBB Group; Floor Roduner – Alderman of the Municipality of Haarlem; Bob Poot – CEO, Interparking, during the ceremonial marking of the start of construction on 27 January 2026.
Image 2: Artist’s impression of the Koepel car park in Haarlem.