Brouwersgracht 78, a monumental building with number 771, reportedly dates back to around 1725 and shines in the Louis XIV style with an imposing neck gable. Recently restored and renovated to the smallest detail, the property has regained its original allure while preserving modern luxuries such as air conditioning. The restoration included a new foundation, restored roof, and monumental interior details, all under the supervision of Monumentenzorg (Monument Conservation). This results in a harmonious blend of historical grandeur and contemporary comfort. This part of the canal falls under the upscale living of the city center.
Tour
The kitchen overlooks the patio and canal, featuring modern design including hard stone floor tiles, grey cabinets, granite countertops, a Viking stove, Sub Zero fridge/freezer, and Miele dishwasher. The house offers two living spaces: a stylish room and a bright living room with canal views. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms, with an additional bedroom with a bathroom in the basement. The patio and indoor-outdoor space at the street side offer relaxation with unobstructed views across. The new basement includes a wine cellar and utility rooms; the attic serves as storage space and houses the central heating boiler, heat recovery system, and air conditioning.
Neighborhood Guide
Brouwersgracht is situated at the beginning of the Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht canals. This area, together with Herenmarkt, forms one of the most beautiful parts of the canal belt. Located near Keizersgracht, Brouwersgracht is in a desirable and quiet section without houseboats directly in front. The tranquil Herenmarkt around the corner adds extra space and reduces congestion. Historic Brouwersgracht is a splendid central location in a vibrant part of the city. Surrounded by Jordaan, Haarlemmerdijk, Dam Square, and Central Station, there is always something to explore. Trendy shops, cozy cafes, and restaurants like Toscanini, Duende, Café Winkel 43, Vrouw met de baard, and Café Papeneiland are abundant. Noordermarkt, with its organic market on Mondays and Saturdays, is just around the corner. Nearby is Westerpark with adjoining natural areas. For groceries, Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Marqt, and specialty stores on Herenstraat, Haarlemmerdijk, and Haarlemmerstraat are easily accessible. In 2007, readers of Het Parool voted Brouwersgracht the most beautiful street in Amsterdam from 150 nominations. Brouwersgracht offers the perfect balance between peaceful living and the vibrancy of Amsterdam's city center.
Specifications
• Approximate living area: 318 m²
• Patio: approximately 10 m²
• Indoor-outdoor space facing south
• Freehold property
• Interior advisor: Els Dols
• Foundation information: renewed during restoration, new basement constructed
• Renovation year: 2019
• National monument
• Protected cityscape
• Part of UNESCO World Heritage
De Brouwer
During the first introduction, I spent some time on the sidewalk talking with a local resident, while simultaneously admiring the facade. This location is very familiar to me because my sister lived two buildings down in the 1970s. For me, this was a kind of first introduction to Amsterdam and life on the canals. This part of the Brouwersgracht holds a special meaning for my relationship with Amsterdam. When I was let in by the owner, I immediately noticed the high and bright space, as well as the good state of maintenance. During the introduction and tour, the owner showed the house and it was repeatedly confirmed how well the property had been renovated. The owner was working in the study, and I imagined that working here contributes to concentration. All the subsequent rooms were equally impressive, and the higher I went, the more light there was. It is an honor for us to assist the owners in selling this property.
Kees Kemp | Real Estate Agent Broersma Residential
Monument and restoration
With monument number 771, Brouwersgracht 78 is a monument in excellent condition. The current building is believed to date from around 1725 and features a beautiful Louis XIV style facade. The lower part of the building is more recent, with the classical window layout and a neck gable as an elegant finish starting from the first floor. The upper part matches the neighboring building at number 80, with both buildings standing sisterly side by side. The neck gables are nearly identical, although number 78 is more richly decorated in detail. Additionally, the building has windows with glazing bars, adding more character to the facade. The neck gable has split wing pieces with vases and palmettes decoratively applied. The tympanum provides an elegant finish with its semi-circular shape. The lower section of the building is higher and symmetrical, with entrance doors on both sides and double doors in the middle. The facade as a whole is richly framed with columns and a horizontal decorative strip. Until the 19th century, there was a stoop entrance with a classic facade layout here. This is also no longer present at number 80. The entrance refers to the time when the lower section was used for storage and business activities. The building is currently in “parcours” condition. In 2017, the current owners embarked on the adventure of restoring the building, with the aim of restoring its allure while ensuring it remains technically sound for decades to come. During this restoration, they did not neglect to achieve a very high level of finish. They were assisted by interior advisor Els Dols for materials and colors. The restoration and renovation were comprehensive, involving consultation with Monumentenzorg. The building now has a completely new foundation and basement and the roof has been restored. Internally, many details were rediscovered and restored, and monumental aspects were added. Furthermore, the entire building has received complete new installations, including air conditioning. The result is a monumental building with atmosphere and character and modern living comfort.
Cooking and living
The quality of the living kitchen begins with its location. Situated on an elevated section with light and views of the patio, the kitchen offers a beautiful perspective of the canal from both here and the adjacent dining area. It is fully equipped and modern, with attention to detail. The floor is adorned with square Belgian bluestone tiles, the cabinets and drawers have a light soft-gray hue, and the countertop is granite with a bluestone sink featuring a Quooker faucet. The kitchen layout is designed for efficient cooking, featuring a large counter housing a semi-professional Viking stove with two ovens and six burners, ideal for extensive culinary endeavors. Additionally, it includes a built-in double American fridge/freezer by Sub Zero and a professional Miele dishwasher. The vestibule with extra height effectively extends the living kitchen space and connects to a grand staircase. This area is also utilized for hosting large parties or dinners. On warm summer evenings, this part of the house is perfect for indoor/outdoor dining. The house comprises two living areas: a formal room in the rear house and a spacious, bright living room with three windows overlooking the canal on the first floor. The formal room in the rear house has been beautifully restored, retaining its old grandeur and is in impeccable condition. It exudes the ambiance of an old gentlemen’s room, intimate and cozy. Through a large window and the light court, one can enjoy views of the kitchen and even catch a glimpse of the canal. The room is square-shaped and features a large gas fireplace and substantial built-in bookcases beside it. The original wide wooden floorboards from the seventeenth century and the ornate stucco ceiling have been beautifully restored. The current residents use this room as a study and workspace, although it can also serve as a sitting room or lounge. On the first floor of the residence, there is a large en-suite room currently used as a sitting room. With three full-width south-facing windows, this room is filled with light throughout the year. It offers a beautiful view over the canal and towards the bridge leading to Keizersgracht. This stretch of the canal lacks houseboats on the opposite side, providing an unobstructed view of the water and buildings beyond. The sunlight reflecting off the water creates a lovely ambiance on the walls and ceiling. This room features a wood-burning fireplace, complementing the atmosphere set by the divided-light windows. The rear part of the en-suite room could also be used as a bedroom.
Sleeping and bathing
The upper floors of the property now feature three bedrooms, and there is an additional bedroom with its own bathroom in the basement. There are two bathrooms in total, and one room is entirely used as a walk-in closet. This layout is tailored to the current owners’ needs, but several rooms can be used as bedrooms if desired, making the house capable of having a total of five bedrooms. The basement bedroom has windows on two sides, making it bright despite its location. With approximately 20 square meters, the room is quite spacious. The bathroom is en suite, featuring a toilet, sink, and walk-in shower/steam cabin. Due to its location and access, this room can be almost separately accessible, offering privacy for guests. The room is cool and offers absolute tranquility. The master bedroom is located in the rear house on the first floor. This room is also quietly situated, with windows that let in plenty of daylight. The room features a fireplace, with a door on either side. Behind one door is a large wardrobe, while behind the other door a toilet is hidden. The owners find that sleeping here offers unexpected peace. The bathroom in the front house is accessible via a landing. This bathroom has a timeless luxury and style that matches the house. A window provides natural light, and the bathroom is equipped with a walk-in shower, bathtub, and double sink. The hallway to the front bedroom has many built-in closets, and the washing machine and dryer are also integrated here. A few steps and a landing lead to a back room. The current owners have completely arranged this room as a dressing room with many closets. It is very convenient and luxurious, but if an extra bedroom is needed, it can be easily converted for that purpose.
The outdoor Space
The property features a patio and a light well that provide extra daylight in the house and (cool) ventilation. The patio is suitable for greenery and has a marble floor. As a sitting area outdoors, the owners have created their own indoor-outdoor space on the ground floor at the street side. This area is sunny and south-facing, and by opening the large French doors, one can enjoy sitting both inside and outside, either on the sidewalk for a cup of coffee or a drink, while neighbors pass by and engage in conversation. Sitting here ensures there is always something to see and experience. Across the street, there are no parking spaces but public greenery, ensuring the view is not obstructed by parked cars.
Storage and Technical Space
Thanks to the new basement, there is plenty of extra space under the front house, which has been well utilized. The basement is not only solidly built but also finished to a high standard, including a wine cellar, storage space, and technical rooms. A long hallway is lined with cabinets on one side, which is very practical. All technical installations are neatly arranged and concealed. Next to the basement, the attic is not only furnished for additional storage space, but it also houses the central heating boiler and the heat recovery system out of sight. A second attic is used for the air conditioning installation.