OASIS IN THE CITY CENTRE
With the Vijfsprong as a happy, chaotic starting point, you'll find mostly peace in the rest of the Dwaalgebied. Stroll leisurely along the picturesque shops of the creative and unique entrepreneurs and see what you run up against. A walk through the Dwaalgebied becomes a voyage of discovery. You'll walk into the Dwaalgebied along the Heuvelstraat. You can also get there from the central station.
-
Dwaalgebied
FROM SHOP TO STALL TO TERRACE
The charming Dwalerij is the perfect example of the connection between residents, visitors and entrepreneurs in the Dwaalgebied. From spring to autumn, the Noordstraat and Niewlandstraat are transformed into a market every last Sunday of the month. Without the shouting marketeers, with local artisans offering their wares. Nothing more lovely than strolling along the stalls where you'll find vintage, vinyl, graphic works and local products. You'll stroll from shop to stall to terrace and on the way, you'll see the lovely shops in the streets and enjoy theatre and music.
OVERWHELMING HOSPITALITY
Whichever shop you enter in the Dwaalgebied, you'll receive a warm welcome. An everyday thing for Tilburgers, but often a surprise for visitors from outside the city. It can even be intimidating because you don't walk into an impersonal shop, but like you're walking into someone's house. And don't worry about not buying anything. People love it if you walk out of the door happy, with or without a purchase. Next time you might find something you like.
BIG ON A SMALL SCALE
The Dwaalgebied is authentic Tilburg at its best. Stately homes with a friendly façade, niche speciality shops, unique clothing and interior shops and bubbling restaurants and bars. Back in time is up to date. The Dwaalgebeid is big on being small scale. You'll meet the pioneers who have been there more than a quarter century, but also hungry young entrepreneurs. What connects them all is that they sell more than just a product. Behind everything that is presented, there is a vision or a story. This applies from cheese to guitars, from banquets to spinning and yarn.
PLAYING WITH HEART AND SOUL
In the popular Dwaalgebied it is ensured that the space has its own ambience. With space for impulsive and creative indulgence. With historic beauty and splendour radiating from every façade. But the Dwaalgebied is more than décor. It is a place with a soul. Where entrepreneurs work hard behind the scenes to surround their businesses with romance and nostalgia. Do you have passion, a good idea and irrepressible drive to do something? Then you'll probably be a great entrepreneur in the Dwaalgebied. The "goodwill factor” is high, when people find you a nice person, they'll come back again and again.
THE GOOD OLD TIMES LIVE ON
Back to the Vijfsprong, with the stately Spaarbank, the old bank building where the textile workers came to deposit their wages. Currently, thirsty visitors put down their money for a special beer. Times change, but the Dwaalgebied keeps “the good old times” alive with verve.
MUTUAL CONSIDERATION ABOUT THE FUTURE
To keep the unique atmosphere in the Dwaalgebied, entrepreneurs, real estate owners, residents and other users in the Dwaalgroep discuss the future of the area. Where should which functions be placed? How should we manage traffic? And more of that type of thing to maintain this special part of the Tilburg city centre.
BIG ON A SMALL SCALE
The Dwaalgebied is authentic Tilburg at its best. Stately homes with a friendly façade, niche speciality shops, unique clothing and interior shops and bubbling restaurants and bars. Back in time is up to date. The Dwaalgebeid is big on being small scale. You'll meet the pioneers who have been there more than a quarter century, but also hungry young entrepreneurs. What connects them all is that they sell more than just a product. Behind everything that is presented, there is a vision or a story. This applies from cheese to guitars, from banquets to spinning and yarn.
PLAYING WITH HEART AND SOUL
In the popular Dwaalgebied it is ensured that the space has its own ambience. With space for impulsive and creative indulgence. With historic beauty and splendour radiating from every façade. But the Dwaalgebied is more than décor. It is a place with a soul. Where entrepreneurs work hard behind the scenes to surround their businesses with romance and nostalgia. Do you have passion, a good idea and irrepressible drive to do something? Then you'll probably be a great entrepreneur in the Dwaalgebied. The "goodwill factor” is high, when people find you a nice person, they'll come back again and again.
URBAN LIVELINESS, VILLAGE CONVIVIALITY
In the atmospheric side streets of the old inner city you'll find urban liveliness combined with a village-like conviviality. A mix of residents and entrepreneurs enriches the atmosphere. Students, “settled” city dwellers and innovative entrepreneurs all contribute to the atmosphere. Passers-by exchange friendly greetings. Everyone looks after each other in an old-fashioned manner. Spontaneous swimming pools are set up on the streets on warm summer days. And on cold winter evenings, people cuddle up for a unique living room concert.
FACTS ABOUT THE DWAALGEBIED
- In the Dwaalgebied, 88% of the visitors come from Tilburg, 40% live in the centre, 40% of the visitors are younger than 35 years and 40% are older than 55 years, 20% between 35 and 55 years.
- Reason for visit: 38% live in the area, 29% passers-by, 20% for shops and dining.
- Average visitation frequency of the Dwaalgebied (excl. residents) 3x per week
- Average stay in the Dwaalgebied (excl. residents): 39 minutes, 49% of the visitors come on foot to the Dwaalgebied, 29% by bike
- Average valuation of the Dwaalgebied: 7.7, 53% of visitors to the Dwaalgebied combines visit with shopping area
Tilburg Next
In the Dwaalgebied we invest in a mix with residence, various shops, dining and working. There is space for high(er)-end quality formulas and the traffic flow is subordinate to the visitor.
HOSTEL ROOTS
“We are Koen and Marion Leijtens, both born in Tilburg and owners of Hostel Roots, a company in the tourism industry. The name refers to the fact that we came back to Tilburg in 2016. Our hostel is located in the Dwaalgebied, in a lovely building at Stationstraat 41, a former bank building in the art deco style. Through the decor and the themed rooms, we give guests a “taste of Tilburg”. The rooms refer to the city and yet the hostel has an international character with the diverse guests, and that fits in well with us and our team. It works in a positive manner, for us and for the city. We stimulate people to visit the pearls of Tilburg and we share the best tips with them.”
King’s Tailor
“My name is Ahemad Khalil and I was born in Syria 51 years ago. I am a tailor by occupation, and in my shop at Tuinstraat 76 I also sell gala and eveningwear. I work in the characteristic inner city of Tilburg, and I named my company after King Willem II, who often stayed in Tilburg in the 19th century.
I became an entrepreneur because I wanted to follow my passion. In my job, you can see your ideas become reality. Business is going well and I hope that King's Tailor has become a concept in Tilburg. I feel at home in Tilburg, a great and dynamic city, on the way to a better future. My advice for start-ups? Follow your passion, be well prepared and believe in yourself.”
Would you like more information about museums or one of the other atmospheric areas of Tilburg? Click here, you'll be redirected to the website centrumtilburg.nl.
