An extraordinary 209 m² loft apartment, stretching an impressive 10 metres wide, located in a listed former school building on the Lindengracht. Featuring a spacious living room, kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a sunny rooftop terrace. Freehold property, with underfloor heating and air conditioning throughout.
A Tour
Entry is on the first floor, where a generous living level of approximately 100 m² unfolds. At the front, five large windows span the full width of the façade, flooding the space with light and offering a vibrant view of the lively Lindengracht. At the rear, French doors open onto the south-facing terrace of approximately 14 m² — complete with outdoor kitchen and built-in lounge seating. A sheltered and sunny outdoor space in the heart of the city.
The current layout includes a spacious sitting room, a separate TV room and a large live-in kitchen. The floorplan offers the flexibility to create an additional room, should one wish.
Upstairs, under the original roof structure, the second floor breathes character. The exposed, semi-circular roof beams give the space a unique sense of history. Here you’ll find three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a separate toilet and a dedicated laundry room. This sleeping level offers a carefully balanced blend of modern comfort and authentic architectural charm.
What the owners will miss
“We had chosen to make our home in Amsterdam and had been searching for the right property for a long while. We love the architecture of the city and its heritage, but for a home we wanted a more open-plan living concept, which is rare in the heart of Amsterdam where we wanted to be.
So 85B Lindengracht was a perfect find, and we jumped at the chance to buy the space from the developer — with the added opportunity to design the layout and all the internal finishes ourselves.
It was a labour of love. We wanted it to be modern with all the features, but also a cosy space. Somewhere we could shut out the world outside, curl up in front of real fires — a mountain lodge in the heart of the city.”
Neighbourhood
Situated on the beloved Lindengracht — a unique and historic location in the heart of the Jordaan, near Noordermarkt and renowned culinary spots such as Toscanini. On Saturdays, this charming canal transforms into the bustling Lindengrachtmarkt — one of Amsterdam’s most loved open-air markets.
The surrounding area is home to an array of refined cafés, eateries and wine bars, while daily conveniences are a short stroll away on Westermarkt or Haarlemmerstraat.
Facts & Features
• Approx. 209 m² of living space
• South-facing terrace approx. 14 m²
• Freehold property
• Air conditioning throughout
• Alarm system
• Underfloor heating
• Smart home system (Domotica)
• Renovation led by Kodde Architects
• Monumental ceiling heights
• Original architectural details
• Beautiful wooden roof structure
• Monthly service charges: €183.24
• Listed municipal monument
• Located in a protected cityscape (rijksbeschermd stadsgezicht)
A Project of Passion
The façade of this residence on the Lindengracht reveals precisely what awaits within: a tasteful and well-composed design where high-quality new construction is paired with an authentic appearance. The broad canal, lined with double rows of lime trees, enhances the village-like character of the Jordaan.
This house forms part of a carefully considered development from 2016, in which new construction and the adaptive reuse of the former Jan Ligthart School are subtly interwoven. For this loft, interior architect Diana van den Boomen designed a layout with clarity and intention.
History
Lindengracht 85 was originally built as a primary school for the Christian Reformed Congregation, comprising three classrooms and a teacher’s residence on the first floor. In 1881, an additional classroom was added, resulting in the current layout. The building is now designated as a municipal monument. The story of the Jan Ligtharthof is inextricably linked to the life of a young boy from the Jordaan who would become one of the most influential educational reformers of the 19th century: Jan Ligthart, born on the corner of Tuinstraat and Prinsengracht. As a child, he attended the very primary school that would later bear his name. In his Childhood Memories, Ligthart painted a poignant picture of his early years in this neighbourhood.
In 2016, the former school building was redeveloped by SOM Amsterdam under the direction of Kodde Architecten. The project resulted in two spacious lofts and three luxurious new-build apartments. The former school gate now serves as the central entrance, elegantly linking the new development with the historic part of the building.
Wining and dining
The main living area is situated on the first floor and features an impressive ceiling height of nearly three metres. Bathed in natural light, the space is defined by five large windows overlooking the Lindengracht. The sitting room is arranged around a contemporary fireplace, creating an inviting and atmospheric setting for relaxation.
At the rear of this level lies the generous kitchen and dining area, also centred around a fireplace. A space where elegance meets functionality. The Eginstill kitchen is equipped with a large marble-topped island and fitted with high-end Gaggenau appliances, including a combi oven, steam oven, wine climate cabinet, and a hob with integrated extraction. A Quooker tap adds further convenience and comfort.
Double French doors open onto the sunny south-facing roof terrace. With an outdoor kitchen as its centrepiece, this terrace offers a secluded and welcoming setting for long summer evenings—an elegant extension of the living space, right in the heart of the city.
This floor harmoniously blends sightlines, natural light, and refined materials into a balanced experience of modern living with classic touches.
Rest and refresh
The second floor accommodates three bedrooms and two bathrooms, brought together in a carefully composed ensemble defined by comfort, character, and a sense of tranquillity.
The principal bedroom is an intimate retreat beneath the pitched roof, where original wooden beams, skylights, and natural materials converge to create a calm and refined atmosphere. The en-suite bathroom is a distinct feature of the suite, offering a generous walk-in shower, a stylish vanity, and a freestanding bathtub with views over the city. An adjoining walk-in closet adds functional elegance to this serene space.
The second bedroom is equally generous and inviting, overlooking the inner gardens and featuring a built-in wardrobe. The third bedroom, located on the opposite side of the floor, is bright and airy, with playful light streaming in through roof windows. These two bedrooms share a second bathroom, fitted with a walk-in shower, washbasin, and toilet.
Throughout the floor, a warm wooden floor underlines the natural aesthetic, while air conditioning ensures comfort during warmer summer days. The expressive roof structure adds a subtle sense of monumentality to this upper level, where peace, privacy, and comfort are effortlessly combined.
Roof terrace
At the front, five tall windows establish a direct and animated connection with the vibrant Lindengracht. To the rear, the sunny south-facing roof terrace offers an intimate and sheltered outdoor haven. The outdoor kitchen, equipped with a built-in grill and generous worktop, makes this the perfect setting for open-air culinary moments. A built-in lounge bench with soft cushions and a custom-designed dining area create a relaxed atmosphere—ideal for long evenings with views over the city rooftops and the silhouette of nearby towers. This outdoor space serves as a carefully balanced extension of the interior—urban yet secluded, luminous yet leafy.
Neighbourhood
Located on the beloved Lindengracht—a unique and historic setting in the heart of the Jordaan, near Noordermarkt and renowned addresses such as Toscanini. On Saturdays, this atmospheric canal transforms into the vibrant Lindengracht Market, one of Amsterdam’s most cherished outdoor markets. The surrounding area offers a wealth of refined cafés and restaurants, while daily conveniences are within walking distance at the Westermarkt and the lively Haarlemmerstraat.
Accessibility
The apartment is easily accessible by bicycle, car, and public transport. The A10 ring road can be reached within ten minutes via exit S105. Several tram and bus lines depart from the nearby Nieuwe Willemsstraat, including tram 5 towards Amstelveen and buses to Geuzenveld and Slotervaart. Regional transport from Central Station includes direct connections to Schiphol Airport. By bike, Amsterdam Central Station is just five minutes away.
Parking
Parking is available on public roads through a permit system (permit area Centrum-2b).
A Centrum-2b permit also allows parking in Centrum-2. The current cost for a residential parking permit is €326.65 per six months. At present, the waiting time for this permit area is approximately 22 months. A second permit is not available within this zone. In addition to street parking, permit holders may park free of charge in the Marnix public garage. (Source: Municipality of Amsterdam, May 2025)
When we first saw the old school with its striking exterior, standing out from other buildings in the beautiful Lindengracht, we saw the potential to create a unique home.
We had chosen to make our home in Amsterdam and had been searching for the right property for a long while. We love the architecture of the city and its heritage, but for a home we wanted a more open plan living concept which is rare in the heart of Amsterdam where we wanted to be.
So 85B Lindengracht was a perfect find and we jumped at the chance to buy the space from the developer, with the added opportunity to design the layout and all the internal finishes.
It was a labour of love. We wanted it to be modern with all the features but also a cosy space, that we could shut out the world outside, curling up in front of real fires, a mountain lodge in the heart of the city.
After two years of development, and 6 years of living, unfortunately work has taken us to the USA and other places and it is time to pass onto to others who will enjoy the unique space, in the wonderful Jordaan.
The Jordaan is a wonderful area. It has a very strong neighbourhood feel and community which is unusual for an area right in the heart of a capital city. Everything is close – 15 mins walk to Amsterdam Centraal, 10 mins from the Westerkerk and the heart of the canal district and the Nine Streets.
When we take a taxi, giving directions of “a few doors from Toscanini”, is such a good feeling. Many times arriving late from the airport on a Friday night, we have dropped bags at home and fallen straight into the wonderful arms of Toscanini, the best Italian restaurant in Amsterdam.
The choices of cafes and restaurants are endless straight from the door. The area around the Noorderkerk, two minutes away, has a lovely collection of places including the famous Winkel 43 and another Italian favourite, Domenica.
Our favourite canal is the Brouwersgracht at the top of the street, distinctive bridges as you head towards one of Amsterdam’s best and least touristy park, Westerpark. A Sunday stroll along the canal and through the park to have a wonderful Sunday lunch in Cantine de Caron was a particular favourite routine. And the best spot in the whole of Amsterdam is the terrace at Restaurant De Belhamel, at the intersection of the Brouwersgracht looking straight down the Herengracht.
We are extremely sad to leave our time in Amsterdam and especially the 85B Lindengracht. So many happy memories, great people and cosy winter nights and summers on the terrace overlooking the Noorderkerk.
The builders said we were crazy to add air conditioning to the apartment – “this is Amsterdam!!!!” they said. However each summer has been longer and more beautiful each year we have been more grateful for a little cool air in the heart of the city.
We wish you the same joy and pleasure and passion we have had in this unique home in the best district, the Jordaan, in the heart of what remains our favourite city, Amsterdam.