Article archive
Selected filters:
This place in central Zuidas has been a haven of tranquillity for 190 years
The Roman Catholic Cemetery R.K. Begraafplaats Buitenveldert – the oldest in Amsterdam – will be 190 years old this year. While Zuidas has been continuously changing around it, this has been a haven of tranquillity for almost two centuries. During ‘24-uur Zuid’ (24 hours in Zuid), you can come and take a look at this extraordinary place.
12-21 June: Experience the future in Zuidas
Are you interested in the future of Zuidas? Between 12 and 21 June 2025, we will be taking you on a journey to the future, as part of Amsterdam’s FutureFest (ToekomstTiendaagse). You can find out what the new residential neighbourhoods will be like, join us as we take a look at the new Amsterdam Zuid station and much more besides.
A glimpse inside a bright and open Strawinskyhuis
In the space of less than three years, the Strawinskyhuis in Prinses Irenestraat has been transformed from a relatively inaccessible complex into a modern office building. The building was recently taken into use. We joined Adam Smit from ZZDP Architecten to take a look around.
Temporary shed for museum tram next to Jachthavenweg
From 2 April until Friday, 28 June, a temporary tram shed is being built for the museum tram next to Jachthavenweg. This is expected to cause some disruption to traffic. Some parking spaces will also be temporarily out of use.
Philips headquarters nears completion
1
The completion of PI59, in Prinses Irenestraat, is in sight. In less than two years, the contractor has transformed the building from a brutalist bunker to an ultramodern Philips headquarters. It is a truly amazing transformation.
VU Amsterdam's campus square undergoes metamorphosis
From a patchwork of paving to a green oasis. The campus square at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is currently undergoing a metamorphosis, which is set to make it the heart of the campus once again. ‘We were assigned the job of making the square more attractive. That’s not too difficult.’
VU Main Building marks 50th anniversary
Exactly 50 years ago, on 12 April 1973, the VU Main Building opened its doors at De Boelelaan 1105. With a floor area of around nine hectares, it was one of Amsterdam’s largest and tallest buildings. There was not yet a trace of Zuidas to be seen.
Courthouse art provides comfort, distraction and consolation
The stunning new courthouse building is home to an extensive art collection that is also accessible to the public. It serves a very special purpose. ‘The art has a comforting effect in a place where very serious things happen.’
Experience Open Monuments Day in Zuidas
On 10 and 11 September 2022, thousands of monuments across the Netherlands will be opening their doors on Open Monuments Day (Open Monumentendag). In Zuidas, you can visit the monumental courthouse, the Burgerweeshuis (a former orphanage) or the Thomaskerk Church. The Zuidas Botanical Garden is also participating.
Turmac building: space for ‘interplay with nature’
It started with a factory in Zevenaar, where art was introduced to prevent ‘a girl having to continually endure the same view’, followed by an office building in what is now Zuidas, that aimed to ‘offer a meaningful environment for people to work in’. That’s the history of the Turmac building, now a municipal monument.
The monumental Princesseflat and its tormented architect
‘No solution to gross profiteering’ rang the headline in the 'Het Vrije Volk' newspaper in 1963. Below, it read: ‘Apartment worth 50,000 guilders on the market for 150,000’. The report will certainly not have been the best of news for the man who had an office just above the garages next to the apartment complex.
Monument is revenge served sweet
In 1943, a ‘quite difficult boy’ was expelled from the Ignatiuscollege Catholic school for insulting a teacher. That very same boy would ultimately go on to build an alternative for that school: the Sint-Nicolaaslyceum. Two monumental buildings in Zuidas bear testament to these past events.