Amsterdam Then & Now #6 : Concertgebouw
Once, in the middle of a large pasture far outside of the Amsterdam borders, a group of builders drilled 2,186 piles into the earth to build a music hall on. Planning started in 1881 and the building was finished a few years later, in 1886. They gave it the not so creative name "Concertgebouw" which is Dutch for "concert building". Now, the Concertgebouw is considered one of the finest concert halls in the world.
Just finished, Source (1886 ca.)
Building plans, Source (1883)
The Concertgebouw construction,
by Rieke, Source (1886)
After construction was finished, it took another 2 years before the grand opening. This was caused by many issues with investors, but mostly about the design of the surrounding space. Would they fill up the ditch or leave it? And what about paving and lanterns? They kinda sorted it out and had the opening in 1888.
Source (1896)
(today)
As you can tell from the photos, the area soon became popular. In the photo from 1896, it doesn't show anymore that the building was in the middle of nowhere. And today, it is located in one of the finest areas of Amsterdam, close to the most important museums in town. Apartments cost a fortune here... and sadly I don't own one of them ;)
Source (1902)
(today)
It helped a lot that there were a few World Expositions (major ones in 1883 and 1895 in the field in front of the Concertgebouw. That resulted in the construction of many temporary buildings and development of infrastructure in the area. I feel like it must have been loads of fun to have lived there in those years (but probably a lot of noise too).
Source (1907)
(today)
The photo from 1907 (left) shows the arrival of the Dutch Queen Wilhelmina at the Concertgebouw. The entrance is still there, but if you look closely, the building in the background is gone. That building was of the Ice-skating club of Amsterdam. And behind it, on the large field that is now the Museumplein, there was a huge ice rink in the winter. More about this area in another blog, though.
If you ever visit Amsterdam and you like classical music, you should try to pay the Concertgebouw a visit and experience its amazing acoustics. You might be able to do this for free, because -except during the summer months- most Wednesdays they offer free lunchtime concerts. For tickets, you should check the Concertgebouw website
Also in this series:
- Amsterdam Then & Now #1 : De Dageraad
- Amsterdam Then & Now #2 : "Coöperatiehof" / Cooperation Court
- Amsterdam Then & Now #3 : Flowers at Cornelis Troostplein
- Amsterdam Then & Now #4 : Old convent & school at Cornelis Troostplein
- Amsterdam Then & Now #5 : Barbiers-Bridge with little bridge houses
One thing I like Europe most is you guys keep those old buildings well and intact without giving rise to an excuse that we have to give way to economic development, so we must demolish some buildings with a cultural value in exchange for tall buildings that might not fit well into the surroundings.
It’s pity sad that cultural preservation of buildings is something rare in Asia. Skyscrapers are an indicator of how well developed a place is. Shallow.....
that's pretty sad! Over here we give special buildings a monument-status. That way they will be protected from demolition ;) In Amsterdam, the skyscrapers move to the outside of town. Or areas that don't have monuments. But the city of The Hague and Rotterdam have many high rise buildings in the centre. But I don't expect them to have demolished a nice old building for it.
Incredibly nice work again. Thanks for sharing...
thank you, that is so sweet!
awesome post! I love seeing performing arts venues in other places!
hope you get to see it irl one day!
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Hiya, just swinging by to let you know that this post made the Honorable mentions list in today's #TravelDigest!