The building
Vossiusstraat was built in the late 19th century. The facade wall of number 48 and the neighboring properties have all the characteristics of the eclectic architecture that was at its peak during that era. In 2004, major renovations were performed and the building was divided into apartments. The renovations addressed every detail: from the foundation to the electrical wiring, gas systems and the buildings structure. The rear of the building and the atrium were last painted this year.

The second floor / first residential level
A spacious hall with closets, a separate restroom and a large stained-glass window to the atrium divides the apartment into a front and a rear section. An elegant door off the landing opens to a special period room, with large windows and a beautiful authentic fireplace mantel. Herringbone flooring with a single trim, the spatial effect of the tall ceilings and the lovely south-facing balcony add cachet to this room. Adjacent is the welcoming traditional kitchen, generously sized and with plenty of workspace on the robust Belgian natural stone countertop. And fully equipped to prepare meals with and for friends. Appliances include a five-burner gas stove, an oven and many others. And a great detail: pocket doors connect the kitchen to the dining room, another pleasant bright room with three windows and a flower balcony to the park. The view of the park is changes with the seasons and remains equally impressive throughout the year.

The third floor
The staircase leads to a generous landing, graced by the beautiful stained-glass window in the stairwell. This floor accommodates the primary bedroom, a middle room and a study/office. In addition, the landing also accesses an additional bathroom with a shower and sink and a large closet with the laundry station. The primary bedroom is at the quiet rear, overlooking the deep lush gardens, and has a private bathroom with underfloor heating, a bathtub and sink. The restroom is separate and is situated immediately next to the bedroom on the landing. The comfortable middle room – used as a den/ library – is super bright due to the windows facing the atrium. Featuring the original crowned ceiling, this is a favorite spot for the current owners. The beautiful en-suite still has the original wooden panel doors. Open these doors to integrate the library into the study that faces the park. Another room that showcases an exuberantly decorated fireplace mantel.

The top floor
At the quiet rear is a romantic bedroom with a collar beam and Velux window. To the front is a self-contained unit, ideal for an au pair or live-in – young adult – child. This apartment includes a modest front hall with coat area, a study and a bathroom. The living area, with a ceiling height of more than 3 meters, attic windows and dormer, exudes the look and feel of a studio. There is a pantry and a bathroom with seated bathtub-shower, sink and room for a washing machine. The study with a partially slanted roof opens to the roof terrace, where you can take in the panoramic view of the park and the city. Ideal to soak in the sunshine, from early spring until deep into autumn.

The outdoor space
The property includes three good outdoor spaces. First, a balcony off the park at the front. The second balcony is situated directly off the living room. This extra-deep balcony allows for a table with seating at both sides. The awning provides shelter from the sun in the summer. The fabulous square roof terrace, spanning over 30 sqm, is perfect for soaking up the sun throughout the day while taking in the phenomenal view of the surroundings.

The area
The property is located in highly sought-after Oud Zuid. By Vondelpark, within walking distance of Museumplein and Concertgebouw and near a wide range of amenities, including those on Van Baerle P.C. Hooftstraat. An extraordinary location at the junction of the bustling city center, cultural Oud-Zuid and grand Vondelpark.

Accessibility
Excellent accessibility. There are two public transportation options around the corner: multiple tram and bus stops are located on both Van Bearlestraat and Hobbemastraat. S100 and S106 are ideal to get in and out of town by car. Schiphol is less than 20 minutes away.

The parking options
Parking can often be found on the stretch of Vossiusstraat out front of the house or in one of the nearby parking garages: Q-Park under Byzantium or under Museumplein. The permit zone is Zuid 8.1: encompassing the entire area between Stadhouderskade, north of Noorder Amstelkanaal, Amstelveenseweg and south of Vondelpark. The Zuid 8.1 permit also allows for parking in zones Zuid 1 and Zuid 2. The estimated waiting time is five months. Costs amount to € 177.08 per six months. Second permits cannot be obtained.

What the owners will miss
We always wanted a large room with three windows in a row. Our old downstairs house on Nicolaas Maesstraat didn’t have that. But the upstairs house on Vossiusstraat has no less than two of those regal windows: front and back. Built like a canal house with a front and back section separated by an atrium, it is spacious and bright. The view from spring to fall offers a magnificent oasis of greenery in Vondelpark and flowering plants and trees in the deep gardens at the back.
The large rear balcony has direct sun exposure all day, great for breakfast, or lazy reading. The roof terrace has a phenomenal and unobstructed view of Amsterdam to all sides. We have held parties there, watched the fireworks on New Year’s Eve, slept under the stars during balmy summer nights, had drinks and enjoyed the sun and the expansive panorama.
The upper-level house offers brilliant light, a sense of security and privacy, passersby do not look in, and stairs are not attractive to burglars. Moreover, climbing stairs is good for maintaining physical fitness.
The house is elegant and has colorful shaded stained glass. We have restored the five fireplaces to their former glory after they were once painted white. Their rich decorations, with the carvings on the railings and stained glass, attest to the love of detail with which houses were built at the turn of the last century.
The house is spacious, which was ideal for us and our adolescent children. A place for everyone to enjoy some downtime, but also the whole second floor as a place to be together, play games, eat and talk.
The neighborhood is wonderful, a junction of Oud West, Centrum and Oud Zuid boroughs. Most of the things we love are within walking distance: major museums, Concertgebouw, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam and on Saturdays the ZuiderMRKT at the intersection of Johannes Verhulststraat and Jacob Obrechtstraat. We also like to go shopping in the area to the west, where you’ll find a green grocer, butcher shop, fishmonger, a wine shop and two supermarkets.
To the south, we enjoy dinner at Bark, or l’Entrecote et les dames, have coffee at Wildschut or Keyzer and visit the bookshop across from the large Albert Heijn supermarket.
To the north, Leidseplein is at walking distance, where we go to the theater, the movies or to lectures held at De Balie.
Vondelpark is out front, perfect for an evening stroll, a glass of wine on the terrace of Park Zuid, a bike ride or a run. For children, there is the playground at the Groot Melkhuis, where parents sit on the spacious terrace talking, reading and keeping an eye on the playing children. In winter, when temperatures allow, there is ice skating on the large pond. There are plenty of exciting trees to climb.
We will miss the beautiful view, summers at the park as though you’re in the country, the ideal location and all the sophisticated details in the house. But fortunately, we will stay in the neighborhood. We have found another upper-level home: bright, safe, private and a great way for us to stay fit.