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The Shipping House
The Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam is situated in the monumental Shipping House on the The Prins Hendrikkade
in
monument is considered to be the first building fully constructed in Amsterdam School Style.
Early 1900’s:
A Nieuwe Kunst, the Art Nouveau, Jugendstil. Thus, the new architectural style of
and perceptible for the first time inside of the monumental Shipping House.
1913
Luxurious steamboats are still ploughing through the
Dutch Steam Navigation Company, Royal Package Company and the Java-China-Japan-Line) combine
their strengths. They require a new building, a symbol of their power, that fits within the canal system
in
continents, and the Dutch merchants and explorers, on the exact spot where the first Dutch sailboats
set out on their journeys over the entire world. A new entirety of exceptional creativity, the summit of
art and trade, an ode to the shipping tradition: The monumental Shipping house. With its breathtaking
lobby and staircase, four stories high, crowned with a globe and ,unique rooms and chamber of council,
original lamps, furniture and panelling.
The design
The Shipping house is generally considered to be the first building fully constructed in Amsterdam
School Style. The building was designed by J.M. van der Mey and the Van Gendt brothers. The model they
made at that time was lost during World War II. The building was supposed to function as a practical,
modern and functional office building and at the same time point back to the prosperous shipping
tradition of The Netherlands. The monument is shaped like a harboured ship: The “starboard side”
is on the Prins Hendrikkade, “the bow” points to the direction of Amsterdam Central Station.
The construction
During the first phase of construction a future shortage of space was prevented and at the same time
precautions were taken to ensure the possibility of an expansion, phase two, that was due to take place
twelve years later: The bricks were prepared for both phases in order to prevent any possible variations
in colour. The total cost of the first phase of construction amounted to NLG 1.488.000,00. The monument
exists of seven spans on the Prins Hendrikkade and ten on the Binnenkant. Shortly after the completion
the shipping societies begin to purchase nearby properties and the necessary permits. The construction
begins in 1926 and is completed in 1928. The second phase of construction is calculated to
the amount of 1.946.000,00.
The interior
Directly upon entrance the special nature of the premises meets the eye. Proceeding through the tropical
hardwood doors that close like the pre-existing lock-gates and the revolving door that rotates on a
compass rose you enter into the central hall. Also remarkable is the generously decorated main staircase.
The staircase is concluded by an impressive stained-glass roofing which is
2007. The Shipping house reborn as a luxury hotel
The shipping companies are no longer, their ships are out of navigation. The Shipping house still stands.
Completely in tact. A beauty of a monument. What remains is the romance of the ocean, designed in
authentic materials. In this ambiance a grand five star deluxe hotel is created, with respect for the
monumental beauty of the building. A whole new life for the Shipping house! The grandeur of the past and
the comfort of modern day. Technically perfect and delightfully pleasing. Imagine an overnight stay in a
unique piece of artwork.
Remarkable
During the renovation of the Shipping House and transformation to a luxurious five star hotel, the whole building
was set up with optic fiber. Because of the optic fiber it is possible to transport data quickly. On June 8th 2007
the five star deluxe Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam opened its doors in the Shipping House.
Architects speaking
Apart from many special monumental buildings,
place in the history of international architecture. The importance of such buildings is not limited to their external
design, the exterior, but also extends to the interior. In the case of the Scheepvaarthuis, even the furniture and
other movable fixtures form part of the total design. The Scheepvaarthuis can therefore rightly be called an
“icon”. In past years, the Scheepvaarthuis was converted into a 5-star hotel, the luxurious and attractive Grand
Hotel Amrâth.
Christie van der Haak has been a fine arts practitioner since 1978. She began as a painter. It is characteristic of
van der Haak’s work that it is built up from many kinds of coloured patterns. The patterns in turn refer to
everything in society, nature, history, etc. Apart from painting, van der Haak began to apply patterns in glazes
on ceramics. She has made many bowls and tiled panels. A major commission from the
is a large tiled tableau for a wall in the Jacob Catsstraat. Read more about Christie van der Haak
The sea of Gerti Bierenbroodspot describes her view of the sea and cooperation with the Scheepvaarthuis.
The sea offers up the most complex and colourful octopuses, shells, fish, etc. that can also be recognised in a
stylised version in the glazing and leaded windows. That is the source of inspiration for the designs, screen prints,
the coasters and the swimming pool motif. The intention is also to allow recognition of the entire hotel to
emerge. I made screen prints for the Scheepvaarthuis representing, amongst other things, octopuses, shells and
sea-weed. I made a design out of this for the glass in the leaded windows which are still made for use in the Scheepvaarthuis. I also created a large figure with dolphins and shells on the bottom of the swimming pool. I
also produced a design for the coasters, showing dolphins, shells, sea-stars, etc. We hear a lot in mythology
about sea monsters and mermaids, from which I have also drawn inspiration.
Read more about Gerti Bierenbroodspot