A charming and well-maintained national monument with a clock gable dating back to 1670, situated on freehold land. This property offers a total living space of 173 square meters, spread across a basement, an inviting ground floor, and three upper floors. With five bedrooms, an inviting office space, and a bathroom, this house meets various lifestyle needs. The living area is on the ground floor, while the cozy kitchen is located in the basement, boasting a separate entrance. Additionally, you'll find a delightful city garden and a sunny southwest-facing rooftop terrace. The foundation was improved in the 1950s.
Tour
Entry is through a private landing on the street. The hallway leads to the living room with large windows both at the front and rear, separated by mullions. An extension at the rear grants access to the staircase leading to the garden. The garden is secluded, and it also provides access to the storage room with connections for a washing machine, dryer, and central heating boiler.
The basement, accessible from inside as well as through a private entrance on the street, houses the charming kitchen with beautiful terracotta tiles. The kitchen is fully equipped with built-in appliances.
On the first floor, there's a spacious office space at the sunny rear, which leads to a rooftop terrace. Besides a guest toilet, there's also a lovely second office space at the front of the house. The second floor features 2 bedrooms and a bathroom with a bathtub, shower, and toilet. The top floor (attic) also contains two rooms and plenty of storage space.
What the residents will miss
"In terms of the neighborhood, it's great here. You're right in between the Negen Straatjes and PC Hooftstraat, so you have plenty of shopping options. There are also numerous dining options, from Ron's Gastrobar right across the street to Fiko and Michelin-starred restaurants like Juwelier and Bistrot de la Mer. Bocca serves the best coffee in Amsterdam, just a few doors down."
Neighborhood
This property is situated in a lively and exceptionally central location, surrounded by delightful restaurants and cafes like De Heuvel. You'll also find numerous boutique shops and daily markets just around the corner. Everyone along the canal has their favorite spots for specific wines, bread, and other delicious treats. For example, you can discover the Italian slow food delicacies at Casa Del Gusto on Kerkstraat, indulge in coffee at Bocca Coffee, or savor a meal at Lavinia Good Food. Naturally, Holtkamp on Vijzelgracht is a must-visit too.
But in this canal-side neighborhood, people also enjoy leisurely strolls or bike rides to Jordaan for its vibrant market or to the Ecosupermarkt on Lindengracht. Of course, the conveniently located Albert Heijn on Vijzelgracht can be a lifesaver. Thanks to its central location, everything is easily reachable by bike or on foot, making this area a fantastic place to reside.
Living in the city center offers an entirely different atmosphere and experience, one that's uniquely metropolitan and deeply intimate. This ambiance is accentuated by the historical setting, which exudes romance in the evenings and attracts colorful characters during the day.
The property enjoys exceptional accessibility due to its central location. The southern part of the canal connects to Stadhouderskade leading to Vijzelgracht and via Spiegelgracht. For those who prefer cycling, walking, or driving, several routes are available, including through Leidsegracht.
Furthermore, public transportation is conveniently just around the corner, with tram lines on Leidsestraat and Weteringschans, and a metro station at Vijzelgracht within direct reach.
Key features
• Total usable area of approximately 173 square meters
• Garden situated to the southwest, measuring around 10 square meters
• Terrace also facing southwest, covering approximately 11 square meters
• Situated on freehold land with foundation improvements made in 1954
• Charming National Monument (Monument Number 2885)
• Protected cityscape under the State Heritage Act
• Part of UNESCO World Heritage
• Delivery upon agreement

De Hoed
Selling a house on the same street where you live always carries a sense of uniqueness. The seller has kindly invited my colleague and me to provide advice on the sale. The proud owner takes us on a tour, showcasing the historical significance of the property.
I am truly impressed by this magnificent national monument, which has been impeccably maintained. A noteworthy detail is that the house received a new façade in the past.
The “Oeil de Boeufs” (stylish oval windows) are likely sourced from another historic monument but contribute a distinct character to the facade. This charming home appears to be ideally suited for a family with young children. However, as is often the case in Amsterdam, it’s challenging to predict who will ultimately call it home.

The building
This traditional building features a black facade and was constructed simultaneously with numbers 34 and 36. This residence was once raised in height, and the “oeil de boeufs” (bull’s eye) windows were added later, presumably in the 1950s.
The original construction year of the property at Kerkstraat 38 is somewhat uncertain. The register for national monuments mentions 1670, while the Basic Registration of Addresses and Buildings lists the year 1780. What is certain, however, is that the building underwent a renovation in 1954 under the guidance of architect Herman Knijtijzer.
Herman Knijtijzer was born in 1914 into a family closely associated with Amsterdam and the construction industry. His father worked as an administrator at an architectural firm and later became a real estate agent. Shortly after World War II, in 1946, Herman Knijtijzer established his own architectural firm, initially operating under the same roof as Van der Linden.




Living room and kitchen
Upon ascending the balustrade staircase and entering the charming foyer with black and white marble tiles, you’ll notice the original wooden floorboards in the living room. These wide planks exude authenticity and immediately confer a monumental character upon the living space. The beamed ceiling and mullioned windows at both the front and rear are unmistakably monumental features. The extension at the rear includes a door leading to the open area behind, and a staircase grants access to a storage room where you’ll find a washing machine and the central heating unit.
The kitchen is situated in the basement, benefiting from ample natural light and its own entrance at the front. The front area is perfect for storage or parking a bicycle during holidays. The kitchen-dining area boasts a built-in bench and a kitchen in a corner layout. This cozy space is spacious enough to accommodate a generous sofa and a dining table for six people. The kitchen countertop offers a large surface area with plenty of storage drawers below, making it an ideal kitchen for preparing dinners for friends and family.
The semi-circular staircase to the first floor is a testament to its monumental nature. On this floor, you’ll find two inviting rooms and a spacious toilet. The rear room leads to a southwest-facing rooftop terrace where the afternoon sun bathes the space in abundance. At the front, there’s a delightful, well-lit room currently used as a library.







Bedrooms and bathroom
Spread across the top two floors, there are four spacious bedrooms. The bedrooms on the second floor benefit from their proximity to the bathroom. In the top two bedrooms, the loft has been removed, leaving the beams at a height of 1.75 meters. Consequently, these areas are not included in the usable living area (GO living), but they are well-suited as children’s rooms.
The bathroom is elegantly designed with white tiles for the walls and black and white tiles for the floor. It includes a bathtub, a toilet, and a walk-in shower. There’s also a double vanity with a mirrored cabinet for your convenience.








City garden and rooftop terrace
The sheltered area behind the house is paved and adorned with potted plants, creating a charming ambiance. For those seeking to bask in the sun, there’s the rooftop terrace elevated on the southwest side, offering views of the buildings along the Prinsengracht canal.





Location
The property is located in one of Amsterdam’s most charming and historic neighborhoods. This area is renowned for its picturesque canals, stunning architecture, and vibrant atmosphere. It’s a place where history, culture, and contemporary trends seamlessly blend together. Surrounded by elegant townhouses, graceful bridges, and lush trees, it creates an idyllic backdrop.
The neighborhood surrounding the property is also home to many iconic attractions. The Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, and Van Gogh Museum are within walking distance. Also nearby are the Stadsschouwburg (City Theatre), Concertgebouw (Concert Hall), Tuschinski Cinema, and Paradiso music venue.
The area offers a plethora of trendy boutiques, cozy cafes, restaurants, and galleries. Strolling through the neighborhood is an experience in itself, as you’re surrounded by a mix of local residents, artists, tourists, and the ever-bustling ambiance of Amsterdam.
Accessibility
The property is easily accessible by public transport and bike. Several tram and bus stops are within walking distance. Tram lines 13 and 17 stop nearby and provide direct connections to key locations such as Central Station and the Museum Quarter. Another convenient option for exploring the Prinsengracht area is by bike. Amsterdam is known for being a bike-friendly city, with numerous bike lanes and parking facilities in the vicinity. Using a bike, you can easily navigate the canals and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Parking
Parking is possible through a permit system on the public road (permit area Centrum 2F). With a parking permit for Centrum 2F, you’re allowed to park in Centrum-2. A residential parking permit costs €300 every 6 months. Currently, there’s a waiting time of 3 months for this permit area. A second parking permit is not possible in this area. (Source: Municipality of Amsterdam, July 2023).

Wat de bewoner gaat missen
Bij mijn eerste bezichtiging viel ik meteen als een blok voor dit huis, een van een drieluik van ook de mooiste huizen in dit deel van de Kerkstraat, passanten blijven er vaak hangen om een plaatje te schieten. Wat mij aansprak is dat, ondanks de drieluik, ieder pand zijn eigen identiteit heeft – de achtergevels van de buitenste panden zijn gespiegeld, die in het midden is iets anders; mijn huis (buitenste links) steekt iets boven de anderen uit,
Het is een heerlijk licht pand dankzij kamerhoge ramen op het zuiden in de leefruimten; voorzetramen aan de voorkant zorgen voor zowel goede geluidsisolatie als uitzonderlijk gering warmteverlies. Het huis was bij aankoop al in goede staat, waar nodig heb ik het met respect voor de monumentale waarde onderhouden, bijvoorbeeld binnen en buitenschilderwerk, restauratie borstwering linker gevel, herstel van de schoorsteen en recreëren van de open haard.
Binnen is het huis een charmante mix van oud en nieuw, met historische vloeren en een strakke aankleding. Aan de achterkant is er een prachtig uitzicht op professioneel aangelegde binnentuinen waar altijd wel iets in bloei staat, beginnend in januari met een Japanse kers met winterbloesem. In de zomer is het enorm genieten van het dakterras op het zuidwesten of, op erg warme dagen, in de schaduwrijke patio.
Grenzend aan het dakterras ademt de studeerkamer de sfeer van een stijlkamer, passend in grachtengordel-Zuid; boeken zijn prettig uit het zicht in de eigen bibliotheek.
Qua buurt is het hier goed toeven, je zit precies halverwege tussen de Negen Straatjes en de PC Hooftstraat, dus winkels te kust en te keur. Voor het uiteten is de keuze ook ruim, van Ron’s Gastrobar letterlijk aan de overkant tot Fiko en de sterrententen Juwelier en Bistrot de la Mer. Bocca serveert de beste koffie in Amsterdam slechts een paar deuren verder.
Voor wat variatie zijn de Bethovenstraat en Cornelis Schuytstraat minuten fietsen weg.
Sportief concurrerend rennen in het Vondelpark, baantjes trekken in het Zuiderbad en de Keizersgym om de hoek om aandacht.
De buurt zelf is zeer divers, met studenten, jonge gezinnen, oudere jongeren, expats en een enkele pied à terre van global citizens, voor wie dat leuk vindt zijn er buurtborrels. Er wordt goed opgelet: in alle jaren heb ik niets gehoord van inbraken of iets soortgelijks.
Wat ik het meest ga missen: het gemak van alles zo binnen handbereik – winkels, restaurants, terrasjes, het plezierige contact met de buren en het contrast tussen de drukte van het centrum en de rust in de vogelrijke binnentuinen.
Mijn volgende stek wordt een huis van liefst recente datum met makkelijke toegang tot de A10 vanwege mijn verplichtingen buiten de stad – evenwel het liefst ook in een waterrijke omgeving om niet teveel afscheid te hoeven nemen van de geneugten van dit geriefelijke huis.

