A New Life For Old Buildings

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The ways in which Amsterdam keeps its marvellous architectural heritage alive is the focus of a new handy guidebook.

Architectural history

Amsterdam is renowned for its numerous fine old buildings. The city’s magnificent 17^th century architectural heritage has been carefully guarded throughout the ages, but the preservation of more recent additions has not always been taken for granted. Behind many such buildings, especially those whose function has changed over time, are interesting stories.

A New Life For Old Buildings is a pocket-sized guidebook by architectural historian Annemarie Wijn which sets out to share some of these stories, giving insight into how Amsterdam´s architectural heritage is adapted for changing times. It is conveniently structured around a number of routes, which can be followed on foot, bicycle or boat.

Travel through the centuries

Some forty buildings are described in the walks. The original architecture and style of every building is detailed and the most important aspects of the restoration and re-use are described. The guide offers an overview of all the building styles that have been used in Amsterdam over the past seven centuries, placed in the context of the historic development and growth of the city.

Below are two of the buildings described by Wijn which are no examples of new lives for old buildings.

The Olympic Stadium

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Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium was built for the 1928 Olympic Games, which the city hosted. Although seating capacity was subsequently extended, the stadium gradually fell out of favour for the hosting of sporting events. In 1987, the city announced plans to demolish the building and erect housing in its place, but its timely inclusion on the national list of historical monuments (monumentenlijst) thwarted this unhappy fate. The attractive brick structure has now been beautifully restored and once again serves as an arena for sporting events.

Entrepot Dock

When the Entrepot Dock was completed in 1830, it was the largest bonded warehouse complex in Europe, used for the temporary storage of goods in transit (therefore untaxed). The city’s plans to demolish the complex were intercepted by a neighbourhood committee which came up with a plan to rejuvenate the stately warehouses, with commercial space on the ground floor and housing in the upper floors. Situated adjacent to Artis, the city zoo, Entrepot Dock has become a delightful multifunctional neighbourhood.