Construction traffic to access Kapel & Convict via pontoon

In April, we reported about plans to accommodate Ukrainian refugees in the monumental Kapel & Convict building. The building is now being prepared for that to happen. On 31 May, the contractor will place a floating platform in the pond next to Kapel & Convict and will create a construction route between the pontoon and Christiaan Neefestraat (next to the AkzoNobel Center) over a two-week period starting from the same date. This will make it possible for construction traffic to avoid the busy cycle path in Prinses Irenestraat and damage to the cycle path will be prevented.

In October of last year we actually removed a temporary dam from the pond. That was also intended for construction traffic, but in that case for the development of an annex for the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in Kapel & Convict. When that project did not go ahead because of rising construction costs, we removed the temporary dam again. This is why it is now being replaced by a pontoon.

Accommodation ready by mid-November

The works on the Convict (the apartment building) have already started. We are first arranging the removal of asbestos from the building. We will then carry out essential repair work to the façade and roof, including replacing the external glazing and painting the steel window frames. In view of the building’s monumental status, there will in fact be very few external changes to the building. Finally, we will divide up the rooms, create communal areas in Kapel and ensure that the systems and installations are in order. We expect to have completed the work by mid-November. At the end of December, the Ukrainian refugees will move into the building.

Ukrainian refugees in Amsterdam

A total of 100 places will be created for refugees in Kapel & Convict. Salvation Army staff will be on hand on a daily basis in order to provide the refugees with professional supervision and support. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the City of Amsterdam has provided accommodation for around 2,800 refugees from Ukraine. A further 3,500 or so are living with host families. In Zuidas, the Holiday Inn at De Boelelaan 2 has also been in use as accommodation for refugees since March 2022.