Ronald McDonald House Utrecht presents plans for new, larger House with 50 rooms
Ronald McDonald House Utrecht is building for the future. At Utrecht Science Park, next to the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital and within walking distance of the Princess Máxima Center, Ronald McDonald House Utrecht has advanced plans to build a brand new, sustainable House with 50 guest rooms. Preparations are well underway, and construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026. The goal is to open the new House sometime in 2028. This expansion will allow the House to offer more families of seriously ill or care-intensive children a warm home, allowing them to be close to their sick child day and night.
“When your child is seriously ill in the hospital, you want nothing more than to be close to them,” says Agatha Kleis, manager of Huis Utrecht. “Unfortunately, such a place is needed more often than we can currently offer. We have a waiting list every day. With the new building, we will be able to offer more families a warm home in the future, just a few minutes’ walk from their sick child.”
Need for the Ronald McDonald House
The Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital and the Princess Máxima Center treat seriously ill children from all over the Netherlands and even from far beyond their borders. As a parent, you want only one thing: to be as close as possible to your child. Parents also indicate that a place in a Ronald McDonald House makes it easier for them to care for their sick child.
Pressure on the current House
Since its opening in 1990, Ronald McDonald House Utrecht has offered families a temporary home. In 2024 alone, 1,853 families stayed at the House for an average of six days. The current building on Lundlaan has 31 rooms, while the Buitenhuis in De Bilt has 6. Despite previous expansions, demand continues to exceed supply, with families on a waiting list every day.
A sustainable and welcoming new home
The plans are being developed in valuable collaboration with UMC Utrecht and the municipality of Utrecht. As committed partners, they are contributing ideas for a future-proof location where families can stay close together and how we will jointly design the new reception area. With 50 guest rooms, the new House will offer significantly more comfort and privacy. Its location at Utrecht Science Park means parents can reach their children within minutes, even at night.
For the development of the new House, Ronald McDonald House Utrecht is collaborating with project management firm RYSE, OZ Architect, Heyligers Architects, Salverda Bouw B.V., Halmos B.V., Pieters Bouwtechniek Utrecht B.V., and Bouwkostenadvies TIMM, among others.
Another 3 million euros needed
A significant amount of money is needed to build the new House. In recent years, committed companies, donors, and initiatives like HomeSport Events have already raised a significant amount of money, but another three million euros are still needed. This support will remain essential in the future to keep the House running after the new construction.
Everyone can help: with a donation, a fundraising event, participating in HomeSport Events, or sponsoring a room. Together, we’re building a warm and welcoming place for families. Want to know more or contribute? Visit www.kinderfonds.nl/huis-utrecht/bouw-mee.
About Ronald McDonald House Utrecht
Ronald McDonald House Utrecht offers families of seriously ill children a place to be close, day and night. Parents and siblings can stay overnight to read a story, give a goodnight kiss, or simply be there when every second counts.
The House operates without government support or subsidies and exists thanks to the indispensable support of donors, sponsors, and companies. The daily warm welcome, a listening ear and a homely atmosphere are made possible by more than 250 dedicated volunteers, who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to every family that stays in the House.
Living Lab in the Spotlight: Utrecht Science Park
Utrecht Science Park is home to several living labs focused on energy and circularity. These include Lumifield, which explores the generation and storage of solar energy, and the biogas digester, which uses organic waste as an energy source. On their own, these are already promising initiatives. Connected, they could become something much bigger: a functioning, learning model for a circular campus.
From student idea during challenge to ReGreen Hut at Dutch Design Week
On hot summer days, temperatures can rise significantly at Utrecht Science Park, while students are looking for places to study, relax and find some shade outdoors. At the same time, planting trees is not always straightforward: underground, the campus is crisscrossed by a dense network of cables and utility lines. So how can we create shade, greenery and places to relax without major changes to the ground?
Utrecht Science Week kicks off: social and economic impact of Utrecht Science Park in the spotlight
The sixth edition of Utrecht Science Week takes place from Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 4 October. During this time, Utrecht Science Park opens its doors to the general public, showcasing how research, innovation, and collaboration lead to tangible societal and economic impact. At the same time, the week underscores the importance of sustained investment in knowledge and innovation.
Looking back at Utrecht Science Week: research, education, and entrepreneurship in the spotlight
Utrecht Science Week 2026 has come to a close. For over a week, visitors enjoyed workshops, lectures, group discussions, and tours focused on science and innovation at Utrecht Science Park. With more than thirty program activities across over 25 locations, there were ample opportunities to experience science up close. We look back on a fantastic week that once again highlighted the essential role of collaboration, and the combination of research, education, and entrepreneurship, in addressing the societal challenges of our time.