Hidden behind an inconspicuous-looking facade on Lauriergracht lies a very special place that is larger than you might expect from the outside: a former chapel and communion wafer bakery transformed into office space. History has been written here, and there are plenty of opportunities for a buyer to determine the future.
In 1882, the Poor Sisters of the Divine Child had a chapel built as part of their charitable institution: De Voorzienigheid (Providence). More than a century later, advertising agency KesselsKramer saw something new within those same walls. What was once a place of faith, care, and order became a home for imagination, experimentation, and individuality.
The chapel, now a listed building, has not been used for religious purposes since 1990, but the organ and marble altar are still present. London-based design agency Fashion Architecture Taste (FAT) developed the current interior, designing unique items such as a fort with a diving board, a beach house, and sheep fences. The interior features cast iron columns, tall pointed arch windows with tracery, and the original stained glass windows. Directly connected to the chapel is the former communion wafer bakery. The two-story building was constructed around 1950, is not a listed building, and overlooks the courtyard on Konijnenstraat.
De Voorzienigheid, consisting of an office space of over 1,000 m² (four apartment rights) and two parking spaces on enclosed grounds (two apartment rights), is For Sale vacant, free of rent and use. Both the former chapel and host bakery have a dual purpose; residential use is also possible. The apartment rights are located on private land and form part of the historic complex and the associated owners' association around Lauriergracht, Konijnenstraat, and Elandsstraat.
The entire property is in good condition, both inside and out. A new owner will likely modernize it to Sustainability current desires and requirements in terms of luxury and Sustainability .
De Voorzienigheid is not your average property, which means that working in the chapel will never feel like a typical day at the office. KesselsKramer did not take the decision to let go of this chapel lightly. The hope is that a new owner will not only use the space, but also cherish it, just as the agency did.
Details
• National Historic Landmark
• Distinctive interior design
• Ceiling height approximately 13 meters
• Two parking spaces
• Located on its own lot
• Dual zoning; residential use is also permitted
• One of a kind
History
The chapel was built in 1882 as part of a larger Catholic complex for the Congregation of the Poor Sisters of the Divine Child, of the 'Providence Institution' dedicated to care, upbringing, and education. It was designed by Adrianus Bleijs, a student of Pierre Cuypers and also known for Amsterdam's St. Nicholas Cathedral. Bleijs was more progressive than his teacher: less strictly neo-Gothic, with the courage to use cast iron and lighter materials in religious architecture. Thanks to the greater load-bearing capacity of iron, the columns are slender, which you can feel in the openness and light in the space.
The building was part of a much larger complex: an orphanage, classrooms, a teacher training college, a communion wafer bakery, internal residences the sisters, and a chapel where singing and prayers took place every day. The communion wafer bakery at Lauriergracht 37 (the address where Multatuli located the coffee trader Last & Co) produced approximately 200,000 communion wafers per week for more than 300 parishes in the country. The monastery complex became known as the 'Vatican of the Jordaan'. The communion wafer bakery was started around 1858 by the sisters of the congregation as one of the work activities of the institution. The two-story building was constructed around 1950, is not a listed building, and has a view of and access to the courtyard located on Konijnenstraat.
The name ‘De Voorzienigheid’ (Providence) refers to the belief that God watches over our path in life. The last sisters left the building in 1990. The neighborhood and the Cuypers Society narrowly managed to prevent demolition and secure national monument status for the building — a rescue that has protected it to this day and attracts hundreds of people during Open Monument Day.
Behind the altar are monumental stained glass windows. The original windows at the bottom date from 1882 and were bricked up. In 1952, the upper windows were replaced by windows designed by artist Jaap Min (1914–1988), who is once again the focus of attention for post-war glass art. KesselsKramer reopened and restored the lower windows, revealing a beautiful depiction of the Miracle of Amsterdam. Together with Jaap Min's windows, the vertical layering of the light was restored.
Building
In 1997, KesselsKramer became the owner of the chapel. The internationally renowned advertising agency dares to work outside the box. For the redesign, the London-based architectural collective FAT — Fashion Architecture Taste — was chosen. The designers were challenged not to alter the space architecturally, due to its monumental status.
FAT designed a wooden fort in the middle of the space, with workspaces, stairs, picnic tables, a diving board, mirrored walls, and a library as its backbone. Everything stands alone, like a stage set in which people can move freely. The design has been published many times and is still considered a rare example of postmodern, multidisciplinary interior design in the Netherlands.
The chapel forms the heart, surrounded by corridors, former monastery rooms, a communion wafer bakery, and living quarters that have changed function over the years. The height of the chapel remains palpable, but the wooden fortress brings intimacy: open and private at the same time. On the organ balcony above the entrance, workspaces have been set up with a view of the entire chapel.
Next to the altar is the sacristy, formerly the domain of the priest, now a meeting room and lunchroom. The original passageway to the altar has been closed off, but the arched shape and old cabinet doors are reminders of its former function.
On the side of the chapel is the former communion wafer bakery, which was incorporated into the complex in the early 2000s. Where hundreds of thousands of communion wafers were once baked every week, there are now studios and workspaces. The long space with concrete floors and tall windows has an industrial clarity that contrasts with the chapel itself.
Meeting rooms have been created in the front building on the canal side. The original corridors and monastic cells are largely intact. Behind thick walls and narrow doors are now storage rooms and small workspaces.
Outdoor space
The Roof terrace is Roof terrace from the second floor of the former communion wafer bakery. Its location Immediately the columns of the chapel is unique. The enclosed courtyard Immediately the former communion wafer bakery offers space for parking cars and bicycles.
Neighbourhood + hotspots
Lauriergracht is located in the heart of the Jordaan district. Here, Amsterdam's denim industry, fashion, art, and design come together with the historic combination of living and working that has characterized this neighborhood for centuries. A wide range of leisure, sports facilities, yoga, and culinary amenities have been added to this.
The Jordaan is an oasis of calm within the bustling city center, and Lauriergracht is a quiet canal in a dynamic part of the Jordaan. Various galleries and contemporary concept stores are just a stone's throw away, and it also borders the Nine Streets, where trade, craftsmanship, and culture continue to dominate as they always have.
Accessibility
The property is easily accessible by car thanks to its location near Rozengracht. The A10 West ring road can be reached in approximately 10 minutes via the S105. There are tram stops for lines 5, 7, and 19 on both Rozengracht and Marnixstraat. The Elandsgracht bus station is also located on Marnixstraat, which is the starting point for various bus lines.
Parking facilities
Two parking spaces are For Sale in the enclosed parking lot Immediately the host bakery.
Paid parking is also available at Q-Park Europarking on Marnixstraat or on public roads via a payment or permit system. Information about conditions and options for obtaining a (business) permit and any waiting times can be requested from the Local authority .
Former communion wafer bakery
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