Over J.J. Viottastraat 12, Amsterdam

The property at J.J. Viottastraat 12 is part of a building unit constructed in 1925, designed by architect Gerrit Jan Rutgers. Rutgers was one of the more prominent architects associated with the Amsterdam School movement. The design of this block comprises a total of nine residences, with a central section of six homes featuring front gardens, and larger, distinctively shaped houses at either end that provide a visual conclusion to the block. The central homes each have their own unique and recognizable design, including recessed verandas with overhanging roofs and integrated planters. A striking feature is the masonry, made of bright red bricks with rough mortar joints. The ground floor features a recessed entrance with a robust door, rounded at the top and painted in a high-gloss heritage green. The façades are adorned with sculptures by Hildo Krop. Another distinctive detail is the vertical flagpoles, each placed on a natural stone base. During renovations, the previous owners also restored the original street-side garden fence to its former glory. The finishes, materials, and color schemes are all carefully chosen to complement each other seamlessly. Soft light tones, oak wood, and metal window frames create a calm, neutral foundation that can accommodate any interior style. At the heart of the house is the staircase, topped by a skylight that draws daylight deep into the center of the home. The result is a wonderfully cohesive family home where everything falls into place.

The house has a pleasantly accessible entrance, almost level with the street and front garden. Through a vestibule with wardrobe space, you enter the central hallway, where the elegant staircase immediately catches the eye. On the side, the living room is connected via double steel-framed glass doors, creating a sense of openness and space. The ground floor spans approximately 82 m² and forms a seamless whole, with a sitting area at the front and an open-plan kitchen and dining area at the rear, facing the garden. The front room features a large fireplace with mantel.
Next to the entrance, built-in bookcases have been integrated into the hallway wall. A herringbone oak floor runs throughout the entire level, visually connecting all the spaces. At the back, two newly installed steel-framed glass facades connect the interior with the garden, allowing the indoor and outdoor spaces to flow into one another. One of the major structural upgrades has been the opening up of the kitchen, bringing in more light and space at the rear and turning the kitchen into a natural part of everyday life. A kitchen island and a visible ceiling beam create a subtle division between the dining area and the kitchen itself. The kitchen is a true eye-catcher, without being overpowering. The soft grey-white floor tones are enhanced by tall oak cabinets, giving the space a calm and balanced feel. The layout encourages organized cooking, and the high-end appliances and work surfaces are designed for extensive home cooking. In addition to a 90 cm wide oven and stove, the kitchen features a large fridge-freezer, a dishwasher, a generous sink, a steam oven, and a Quooker. The island is designed for seating as well, adding a social dimension to the space. Thanks to the open connection with the garden, this area is one of the current owners’ favorite spots in the house.

The first and second floors together form the sleeping quarters of the house. They are well-organized and practically laid out, offering a total of five spacious and pleasantly arranged bedrooms, a study, a laundry room, and two bathrooms. Both levels are bright and generously proportioned. On the first floor, a central and spacious landing benefits from natural light coming in from above. At the rear, you’ll find the primary suite: a generous bedroom with a small balcony, a large walk-in closet with ample storage space, and an elegant en-suite bathroom. The bathroom is thoughtfully designed and finished in understated tones. Polished concrete floors and walls are beautifully combined with an oak wood vanity unit, giving the room a warm and refined feel. A freestanding bathtub is atmospherically positioned by the window. At the front, there are two bright and spacious rooms, one of which is perfect for use as a home office or children’s game room. Thanks to their southern orientation, these rooms enjoy sunlight throughout the day. Depending on your needs, they can serve as children’s bedrooms or, as currently used, as an extra office and TV room. The second floor is equally well laid out. A hallway with a large skylight provides access to a spacious and efficiently designed laundry room. Around the light-filled landing are three well-proportioned bedrooms. These rooms share a separate, easily accessible bathroom. All bedrooms are fitted with built-in wardrobes and recessed shelving. The entire floor features a beautiful oak parquet floor that flows seamlessly through all rooms. The laundry room is spacious and highly functional. A custom-built wall unit houses the washing machine and dryer at working height, with drawers underneath for added convenience. There is also a sink, additional storage cupboards, and hanging rails for drying laundry. The space is large enough to comfortably iron and store linens and towels.

The Perfect Townhouse No. 12 offers what we like to call quality outdoor space: easily accessible outdoor areas that connect directly to the kitchen and living room. With no thresholds, these spaces feel like a natural extension of the indoor living experience. Large glass doors with steel frames open up completely, creating a seamless transition between inside and outside. The garden is on the same level as the living area and begins with a natural stone terrace that flows into a lawn. At the rear, there is an additional terrace featuring a jacuzzi. Green borders with planting run along and between the houses, and the garden is enclosed by a lush, green fence. There’s also enough space for a table tennis setup, for example. The garden is an ideal spot for children to play and for enjoying meals outdoors. In summer, it benefits from sunlight throughout the day, with the evening sun warming the rear façade. At the front of the house, a small garden serves as a practical space to store bikes, but also as a pleasant spot to enjoy a morning coffee and informal chats with the neighbours. The front garden creates distance from the street, offering added privacy inside the home. In addition to both gardens, the house also features a French balcony off the primary bedroom and an intimate loggia at the front of the second floor.

Where the Museumplein is now located, there were still farms 150 years ago. To create more housing, construction of the Museum Quarter began here at the start of the 20th century. The influence of architect Cuypers is clearly visible; in addition to designing the first houses, he also created the Rijksmuseum in neo-Gothic style. This era is beautifully captured in Public Works by Thomas Rosenboom. Together with the Concertgebouw, built in neo-Renaissance style, the museum defines the character of the neighborhood. With the arrival of the Van Gogh Museum, modern architecture by Gerrit Rietveld also found its place on Museumplein. The Concertgebouwbuurt has an atmosphere and appeal that many find attractive. The range of restaurants, cafés and shops is as eclectic as the architectural styles and perfectly matches the international flair of the area. Haute couture lovers and shoppers will find their way to P.C. Hooftstraat, home to fashion houses like Burberry, Ba&sh and Isabel Marant Étoile. One of the great advantages of this neighborhood is its proximity to the city centre, De Pijp, and Amsterdam Zuid – with the Vondelpark – all within walking distance. This part of the Concertgebouwbuurt has a slightly different dynamic and building style, as it was developed in the 1920s. The street is lighter and more open, just tucked away enough to offer peace and quiet, yet right around the corner from everything. Schools are within walking distance. For daily essentials, the shops on Cornelis Schuytstraat and the farmers’ market on Jacob Obrechtstraat offer all the necessities.

Accessibility
The J.J. Viottastraat is very well connected. Public transport is well-organized, with several tram and bus lines taking you to all parts of the city and beyond. Amsterdam Zuid and Amsterdam RAI train stations are nearby. By car, the A10 Ring Road can be reached within five minutes. Thanks to its central location, the entire city is easily accessible by bike.

Parking
Parking is available through a permit system on public roads (permit area Zuid 8-1). With a permit for Zuid 8-1, you are also allowed to park in Zuid-1, Zuid-2 and Zuid-8. A residential parking permit costs €192.81 for six months. Currently, there is a waiting time of seven months for a permit in this area. A second parking permit is not available for this zone. (Source: City of Amsterdam, May 2024).

We felt so lucky to find this house almost three years ago… It was toothbrush ready, having been fully renovated. We wanted an entire house, so as not to be bothered by noise either above us or below us. JJ Viottastraat is a beautiful, quiet and wide street and we’re always able to park in front of our house! The large size of our garden allowed us to put in a Jacuzzi hot tub, where we have spent many evenings enjoying being under the stars and chatting. Our sons have also had a great time using it with their friends. Speaking of the boys, we love that they have their own floor in our house. It means everyone gets a sense of privacy and also gives them a place to gather their friends come over. We’re but a stones throw from all the merchants of Cornelius Schuytstraat and love how village-like it feels. We will certainly miss sitting in the circle with ice cream cones in hand from Frietboutique, inevitably running into so many friendly faces! We are onto new adventures in the South of France, leaving with a very soft spot in our heart for our home on JJ Viottastraat.