Photo: Dudok Architectuur Centrum
Torenlaan 45
1890 / J. de Groot
Torenlaan 45
One of the villas surrounding the Rosarium in the residential area of Boomberg used to be the official residence of mayor J.J.G. Boot (1902). Boot was mayor of Hilversum from 1951-1968. During that period he lived in this well-preserved villa in a picturesque, eclectic style. The open wooden veranda is still in its original condition with chamfered corners, tiling on the floor and decorative rod distribution with ornamental glass in the windows. Parts of the interior have also been preserved, such as panel doors in wood imitation, wooden panelling and richly decorated stucco ceilings. The iron bar gate is also original.
Among other things, Boot has championed the development of Hilversum as a broadcasting city, in addition to strengthening the garden city character and the rehabilitation of the core. According to him, Hilversum was no longer a village, but also did not want to be a city. The problem of providing housing was huge. Like Dudok, Mayor Boot was an outspoken personality. They were able to work together respectfully and fruitfully.
Boot fully supported Dudok’s vision of preserving and even extending the natural beauty. Due to his efforts, the themes have become topics of discussion at regional level. Boot later: I’m in that mayor’s room of Dudok’s new town hall, everything by him, you shouldn’t touch there! But I wasn’t completely satisfied with the lighting on my desk. Everyone advised me not to start with him about something more modern, because the master would certainly be horrified! Still, I took the risk and next time Dudok pointed out that I would have been ported for a somewhat different enlightenment. Dudok nodded understandingly, walked around my desk a little thoughtfully, picked up a standing table lamp and said: how about it wouldn’t be solved enough if you moved this lamp here? I just left it at that because, well, I really admired him. (J.J.G. Boot, 1992). The official portrait of Mayor Boot was painted by C. Willink.
Source: Annette Koenders, Hilversum. Architectuur en Stedenbouw 1850-1940, Zwolle (2001).
Architect
Period
Location
Torenlaan 45, Hilversum