A complex of (medieval) buildings with the detail-rich main building on Domplein as the eye-catcher. A building with a turbulent genesis. It was a gift from the citizens of Utrecht to Utrecht University on the occasion of its 250th anniversary.
The first sketches were drawn by city architect Cornelis Vermeijs but he died prematurely. A national polemic then ignited over the architectural style: neo-Gothic or neo-Renaissance. Cuypers’ neo-Gothic was considered suitable for a building with a church function but not for a university building. The neo-renaissance architectural style was more suited to its use-after all, this architectural style referred to ancient Greek civilisation and humanism. Because of the stylistic break with the existing buildings, the building was located as far as possible from the corner of Domplein.
Designed by E.H. Gugel and F.J. Nieuwenhuis, the final design was completed in 1894. The complex now serves as a venue for promotions, lectures and academic ceremonies.