Police evict squatters from historic Wassenaar villa, 25 arrested
Police cleared a historic villa in Wassenaar early Sunday morning after squatters occupied the empty property the previous day, NOS reported. At least 25 people were arrested during the operation, with some reportedly on the roof when authorities arrived.
The squatters entered Huize Ivicke, a vacant national monument, on Saturday. They said they aimed to "bring new life to the cold palace" and protest against empty properties amid a housing shortage.
One squatter added that people had been using the villa even before Saturday. “People have already eaten, slept, and played games there,” they told NOS.
The villa is owned by controversial real estate developer Ronnie van de Putte, known as the 'Krottenkoning.' He has held the property for years but has not used it, leaving it to fall into disrepair.
Huize Ivicke, designated a Rijksmonument, was restored by the Wassenaar municipality in 2020 at a cost of over 1 million euros.
A court later ruled that Van de Putte could be billed for the restoration. At the time, his lawyer stated the owner had wanted to use the villa as an office, saying, “He was satisfied with a Volkswagen, but the municipality made it a Rolls Royce.” According to NOS, despite the restoration, squatters claim the villa remains at risk of decay because Van de Putte has not occupied it.
