This unique loft with an impressive studio space is located in a former canteen of the Royal Dutch Steamship Company. With a raw appearance and spectacular ceiling heights of over 5 meters, it offers a bright and spacious living environment with a beautiful view over the water. The property features three bedrooms, a studio space, a music room, and a hobby room, providing ample opportunities for creative living and working. There is a very good possibility to expand the space by an additional approximately 120 m², which offers many extra options and layout variations – see the alternative floor plan. The total living area would then be approximately 347 m². This historic building was renovated in the 1990s into eight unique loft apartments with a creative flair. It offers a unique opportunity to live and work in a historic location by the water.
Tour
The living room is located on the water side and faces south, with large windows and a ceiling height ranging from 5.36 meters to 6.21 meters at the apex. The original tile floor adds extra character to the space. An open kitchen has been chosen, which is basic but functional. In the high space, a sleeping area has been created with three bedrooms, two of which have loft beds for extra space-saving. The simple bathroom is equipped with a bathtub, sink, and toilet. The studio of approximately 130 m² is an inspiring space with northern light, a stunning ceiling height up to 6.21 meters, and plenty of storage. This multifunctional space offers the opportunity to work creatively in a unique environment.
Extra
There is a unique opportunity to rearrange the property and create more space. It is possible to expand the space by an additional approximately 120 m², offering many extra possibilities – see the alternative floor plan. This would increase the total area to approximately 347 m².
Neighborhood
The property is located on the car-free Levantplein on the KNSM island. It is a child-friendly area with many playgrounds, squares, swimming docks, and water sports facilities. The Brazilië shopping center offers a wide range of shops and amenities. There is also a thriving market at the nearby Javaplein, where fresh products and delicacies can be found. The trendy Czaar Peterstraat and Veemkade are within walking distance. Nieuw Noord, with places like the restaurant Hangar, Hotel de Goudfazant, and the film house FC Hyena, is easily reachable by ferry.
Key details
• Usable living area approximately 226 m²
• Additional indoor space approximately 71 m²
• Possibility to increase living area to approximately 347 m²
• Located on leasehold land, owned by the Municipality of Amsterdam. Current leasehold period is bought off until April 30, 2041
• Service costs VvE € 590.37 per month including advance payment for gas/electricity & water
• Municipal monument
• Designation according to the split deed: studio annex living space
• Designation in BAG – residential
• Designation according to zoning plan – mixed 2
De Kantine
This extraordinary loft with stunning studio space is located in a former canteen of the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company. With its raw aesthetic and spectacular ceiling heights of over 5 meters, you’ll enjoy a bright and spacious living environment with a beautiful view over the water. The property features 3 bedrooms and a studio space, offering ample opportunities for creative living and working. There’s a great opportunity to expand the space by approximately 120 m², providing this property with many additional possibilities and layout variations – see alternative floor plan. The total living area would then be approximately 347 m². This monumental building was renovated in the 1990s into eight unique loft apartments with a creative ambiance. A unique opportunity to live and work in a historic location by the water.
Judith de Jong | Real Estate Agent at Broersma Residential
Architecture
The property is situated in a section of the former canteen of the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company. Architect Piet Verschuyl designed the building in the early 1960s. The building is constructed as if it’s floating; it’s referred to as a “lifted” building, as there is no ground floor. This created a view through the building from the northern to the southern side underneath it. When the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company withdrew from the island, a group of artists occupied the building after a period of vacancy. These artists, gathered under the Edelweis Foundation, purchased the building from the Municipal Land Development Corporation. During this period, metal ship stairs were installed, providing each apartment with its own exit/escape route. In 2014, the building was declared a municipal monument.
Living Entrance to this loft is accessed via a steel staircase from the square. Upon entry, there is space for a cloakroom, leading through to the living area or the studio.
Living and cooking
The living room is situated on the waterfront side. The large steel window frames resemble a painting frame with a beautiful view over the water. Every day, there are people swimming in the open water. The living room faces south, allowing for sunlight throughout the day. The large windows and the ceiling height of 5.36 meters create a spacious feeling. The original tile floor adds extra character to the space. An open kitchen concept has been chosen, with the kitchen being basic yet functional.
Sleeping and bathing
In the lofty space, a sleeping level has been created, featuring three bedrooms, two of which have loft beds for additional space-saving. The simple bathroom is equipped with a bathtub, sink, and toilet.
Atelier
The atelier, spanning approximately 130 m², is an inspiring space illuminated by northern light, boasting an incredible ceiling height of up to 6.21 meters, and ample storage space. This multifunctional area provides the opportunity to engage creatively and work in a unique environment.
Extra
There is an opportunity to reconfigure the property and expand its surface area. There is potential to enlarge the space by approximately 120 m², offering numerous additional possibilities for this property – see alternative floor plan. This would increase the total area to approximately 347 m².
De woning is gelegen aan het autovrije Levantplein op het KNSM-eiland. Het is een kindvriendelijke omgeving met veel speelplaatsen, pleinen, zwemsteigers en watersportmogelijkheden. Winkelcentrum Brazilië biedt een uitgebreid aanbod van winkels en voorzieningen. Ook is er een bloeiende markt op het nabijgelegen Javaplein, waar men verse producten en lekkernijen kan vinden. Op loopafstand bevinden zich de hippe Czaar Peterstraat en de Veemkade. Nieuw Noord, met onder andere het restaurant Hangar, Hotel de Goudfazant en filmhuis FC Hyena, is gemakkelijk bereikbaar met de pont.
Bereikbaarheid
Vanwege de gunstige ligging binnen de ring van Amsterdam, nabij de afslag S114, is de woning goed te bereiken met het eigen vervoer, zowel vanuit buiten de stad als vanuit het centrum van Amsterdam. Per openbaar vervoer is de woning eveneens goed bereikbaar. De halte van buslijnen 43, 65 en 246 ligt op loopafstand van de locatie. Hierdoor is een directe verbinding mogelijk met Station Muiderpoort, Station Zuid en Station Amsterdam Centraal. Tevens is op loopafstand de halte van tramlijn 7.
Parkeergelegenheid
Parkeren is mogelijk via een vergunningenstelsel op de openbare weg (vergunningsgebied Oost-7a). Met een parkeervergunning voor Oost-7a mag u parkeren in Oost-7. Een parkeervergunning voor bewoners kost € 186,29 per 6 maanden. Momenteel is er voor dit vergunningsgebied geen wachttijd. Een tweede parkeervergunning is in dit gebied niet mogelijk. (Bron: Gemeente Amsterdam, mei 2024).
What the owners will miss
When we acquired a space in the former canteen of the KNSM in 1991, we could not have anticipated that we would stay there for over thirty years.
We divided the building—essentially a huge glass hall on stilts—into eight studio apartments, using steel staircases we picked up from a shipyard that was being demolished. After months of basic renovations, everyone set to work transforming the empty space into a home.
Since 2001, nearly everyone from the original group of artists has moved on. Only we remained. We continued to enjoy the physical space that allowed us to shape our ideas, as well as the expansive view over the ever-changing waves of the IJ. We watched our children grow up and leave, organized exhibitions and concerts, painting classes and music rehearsals. Here began and ended the journeys that took us and our work halfway around the world.
When, in 1979, the ships, trains, cranes, trucks, passengers, and dockworkers departed from this island with the KNSM, a new era began. Though more modest in its dynamism, this new era has brought us immense joy in living and working. Summers offered delightful swimming right outside our door, cafes and dining spots around the corner, shops within walking distance, and excellent tram, bus, and ferry connections at hand.
As the time approaches to close this chapter, we look back on our years in that peculiar canteen with great satisfaction and—yes, to be honest—a touch of nostalgia.