J.J.B. Franswa No. 11 - Bright and Modernly Renovated Four-Room Apartment of Approximately 90 m² with an Attic Room of Approximately 13 m², Both Accessible by Central Staircase or Lift, Situated in the Highly Desirable Beethovenbuurt
Tour
The apartment at Courbetstraat 11-1 exudes calm and refinement from the very first impression. The bright living feels serene and spacious, with a long sightline to the dining kitchen that creates unity and depth. The finish is subtle and precise, while the kitchen gains a strong character from dark wood, black granite and white elements, arranged in a balanced and functional layout. At the round dining table by the French doors to the balcony, daylight floods in, creating a natural transition between indoors and outdoors. On the fourth floor, a multifunctional attic room of approximately 13 m² provides additional flexibility. The bedrooms are equally calm and bright. The main bedroom benefits from broad light and features a built-in wardrobe fully integrated into the wall, reinforcing a sense of order and spaciousness. The second bedroom adjoins the balcony, with French doors and its own washbasin cabinet. The bathroom is modern and understated, with sand-coloured tiles, wooden accents and a generous walk-in shower. Every detail has been designed with comfort, simplicity and balance in mind. The outdoor spaces add an extra layer of charm. At the front, a French balcony overlooks the leafy street, while at the rear, a deep west-facing balcony is bathed in afternoon and evening sun. This sheltered, light-filled space exudes a Mediterranean atmosphere, naturally inviting outdoor living as part of the day.
Neighbourhood
To this day, residents of the Beethovenbuurt enjoy the urban imprint that architect Berlage left on the neighbourhood in the last century. His design introduced avenues, greenery and a diversity of buildings. From villas and apartment blocks to townhouses: characteristic of this 1930s district almost entirely surrounded by water are the generously designed residences in the Amsterdam School style. The façade stones and bridge sculptures by Hildo Krop, who was honoured with the title of City Sculptor of Amsterdam, add further cachet. In the Beethovenstraat and around Olympiaplein, coffee bars, lunch spots and restaurants have infused the area with a young and dynamic character. The street also offers a refined range of specialty shops: from bakeries and fishmongers to butchers, patisseries and wine merchants. At Olympiaplein one finds Le Fournil bakery, Fromagerie L’Amuse and, more recently, Coffee District. On Marathonweg, butcher Zikking is just five minutes away. Every Friday, a refined organic market is held at Minervaplein. The broad avenues and the greenery of Beatrixpark, with its modern sculptures and mature trees, create a sense of openness and provide the perfect setting for sport and relaxation. The neighbourhood is also highly regarded for its excellent primary and secondary schools as well as for its convenient proximity to the Ring Road and Amsterdam Zuid station.
Details
• Residential surface area approximately 103 m², consisting of an apartment of approximately 90 m² and an attic room of approximately 13 m²
• Two balconies facing north and one balcony facing south
• Storage room on the fifth floor of approximately 9 m²
• Lift present
• Situated on leasehold land owned by the Municipality of Amsterdam. Annual canon € 2,024.79 (tax-deductible) – period ending 15-02-2056
• Perpetual leasehold conversion completed, with the perpetual canon fixed
• Monthly service charges VvE € 482,42
• Monthly Pre-heating costs € 90,00
• Energy label D
• Protected cityscape status
• Project notary VG Notarissen
We guide the sale of a wide range of residences in Amsterdam. Yet there are properties that immediately stand out not through extravagance, but through understated beauty. Courbetstraat 11-1 is a perfect example. Standing before its façade, it is instantly clear that this house was created with love and vision. And rightly so: it is the work of architect J.J.B. Franswa, a name that, to connoisseurs, evokes images of the Amsterdam School in its most refined form. What has always spoken to me in his designs is the way the vertical lines seem to move along the façade like music. Take, for instance, the entrance: the wooden front door with its repetitive geometry feels almost sculptural. The staircase, with its slender windows and robust masonry details, tells a story of craftsmanship that is becoming ever rarer in the city. Inside, this language continues: calm, bright spaces with a gentle incidence of light and a layout that feels entirely natural. A residence that requires no explanation, but is understood at once. I expect that the future owner will appreciate precisely this: character without pretence, comfort without compromise. A house with a soul, in a setting both tranquil and urban. Should you be curious whether this residence could also become your story, I would be delighted to welcome you for a viewing and to share more about the apartment, the neighbourhood, and, of course, about Franswa.
The Courbetstraat reveals itself here in full glory: a strict rhythm of red brick, vertical accents and pronounced detailing that unmistakably belong to the Amsterdam School. Architect J.J.B. Franswa designed the building with an eye for both monumentality and craftsmanship. The façade is classically composed around a strong central axis, flanked by symmetrically placed balconies and brickwork ornaments. The entrance forms a characteristic highlight within the whole. Two substantial granite columns frame an imposing wooden door, in which the geometry of the Amsterdam School is carried through to the smallest plane. Glass strips above and alongside the door enhance the sense of depth and layering. Rising above the entrance is a vertical pilaster section, culminating in white-plastered accents that serve as beacons within the façade. Striking is the interplay of repetition and variation: windows, balconies and brickwork alternate in a carefully composed rhythm. The slender elongated windows on the top floor provide a refined conclusion to the façade. The whole exudes a sense of understated grandeur; a building that settles into the streetscape with conviction, without being ostentatious. This architecture is more than decoration. It tells a story of urban identity, craftsmanship and the belief in architecture as a true shaper of the city.
The living space of Courbetstraat 11-1 feels from the very first moment like a quiet invitation. The living is bright, balanced and serene: a place where calm and space meet effortlessly. The soft palette of walls and flooring forms a clear canvas for the architecture, while the long sightline towards the dining kitchen creates depth and connection. At the street side, double doors open to the outside, bringing in light and adding a subtle rhythm to the interior. The refined finish shows an attention to detail. No excess, but precision. The kitchen is a full-fledged space in its own right. Rich in tone, with dark wood veneer reaching to the ceiling, a black granite worktop and sleek white base cabinets. The layout is not only functional but also aesthetically balanced. A subdued contrast of materials creates depth and warmth without weighing down the whole. At the round dining table, set between two tall windows and French doors to the balcony, the space truly comes to life. Here, daylight enters from two sides, naturally making the interior part of the rhythm of the day. A gentle transition between indoors and outdoors, between cooking and living. The sightline from kitchen to living, and vice versa, makes this floor a coherent whole. Each room has its own character, yet feels part of the same story: thoughtful, calm and in balance. As an extension of the apartment’s functionality, the fourth floor accessible by lift offers an additional attic room of approximately 13 m². This versatile space can be used as a study, guest room or creative studio.
The sleeping quarters in this apartment radiate the same calm and clarity as the rest of the interior. Large windows, high ceilings and a serene finish create a soothing atmosphere in which day and night flow seamlessly into one another. The main bedroom at the rear is defined by light across its full width, combined with a generous, custom-built wardrobe that blends seamlessly into the wall. This provides a tidy whole and enhances the sense of space. The second bedroom adjoins the balcony and, through French doors, offers not only daylight but also a direct connection to the outdoors. The presence of its own washbasin cabinet underlines the practical layout of this room without compromising on aesthetics. The bathroom is understated, modern and warm. Large sand-coloured wall and floor tiles bring calm and unity, while the wooden vanity and chrome details add contrast and refinement. The walk-in shower with glass walls feels spacious and bright, and the wall-mounted radiator together with the washing machine setup make the space functional and complete. Everything on this floor has been designed with a sense of comfort, simplicity and tranquillity. Sleeping and bathing here go hand in hand with silence and softness.
On both the front and rear, this apartment offers outdoor spaces with their own distinct character. At the street side, the kitchen opens onto a charming French balcony an inviting place to take in life along the Courbetstraat. From here, the view stretches over the quiet, tree-lined street with its characteristic 1930s architecture and gentle urban rhythm. The true jewel, however, lies at the rear: a deep, full-width balcony facing west. Set along the inner garden side, it feels quiet, sheltered and remarkably bright. In the afternoon and evening, the sun casts shifting patterns across the white brick wall, lending the space a Mediterranean softness. The overhang and open balustrade create an airy atmosphere, while the balcony at the same time retains a distinctly enclosed sense of intimacy. Whether for a morning coffee overlooking the city or a glass of wine in the evening sun, the outdoor space here is not a mere addition but an essential part of daily life.
Residents of the Beethovenbuurt still enjoy the urban imprint that architect Berlage left on the district in the last century. His design introduced avenues, greenery and a diversity of buildings. From villas and apartment blocks to townhouses: characteristic of this 1930s neighbourhood—almost entirely surrounded by water—are the generously designed residences in the Amsterdam School style. The façade stones and bridge sculptures by Hildo Krop, honoured as the official City Sculptor of Amsterdam, further add to the area’s cachet. In the Beethovenstraat and around Olympiaplein, coffee bars, lunch spots and restaurants lend the neighbourhood a young and dynamic atmosphere. The area also offers a refined selection of speciality shops: from bakeries and fishmongers to butchers, patisseries and wine merchants. At Olympiaplein one finds Le Fournil bakery, Fromagerie L’Amuse and, more recently, Coffee District. On Marathonweg, butcher Zikking is just five minutes away. Each Friday, a refined organic market takes place at Minervaplein. The broad avenues and greenery of the Beatrixpark, with its modern sculptures and mature trees, create a feeling of openness and provide the ideal setting for sport and relaxation. The neighbourhood is also renowned for its excellent primary and secondary schools as well as for its convenient location close to the Ring Road and Amsterdam Zuid station.
Accessibility
Courbetstraat 11 is exceptionally well connected, whether by bicycle, car or public transport. The A10 Ring Road can be reached within five minutes by car via exit S108 (Oud-Zuid) or S109 (RAI), ensuring swift connections to the rest of the city and beyond. Within a short walking distance are tram and bus stops at Stadionweg, Minervaplein and Olympiaplein. Trams 5 and 24 provide direct access to, among others, VUmc, Museumplein and Amstelveen. Bus services offer direct routes to both Sloterdijk and Zuid stations. Amsterdam Zuid station is only a five-minute cycle away and functions as a major hub for trains, metro and regional transport, including a fast direct connection to Schiphol Airport. For those working in the city or travelling frequently, the location is truly ideal.
Parking
Parking is available through a permit system on the public road (permit area Zuid 2.2). With a parking permit for Zuid 2.2, parking is also allowed in Zuid-1, Zuid-2 and Zuid-8. A resident’s permit costs € 192.81 for six months. At present, there is no waiting list for this permit area. A second resident’s permit costs € 482.03 for six months. (Source: Municipality of Amsterdam, September 2024).