Amsterdam Docklands I

Apartments Batavia (Cruquius site) by Architect Frits van Dongen of Architekten Cie.

The harbour basins of the Eastern Docklands in Amsterdam have been laid out some 100 years ago. In the second half of the 20th century, the functioning harbour gradually moved to the west of Amsterdam and the area became available for housing. Although much of the harbour structure was preserved, some old buildings got assigned new functions and some new buildings were created. Towards the end of the century the city asked urban designers with an open view for new, unusual possibilities, to plan a new residential district.

Entrepotbrug (Cruquius site)

In 1987, the Cruquius site was the first part of the Docklands to be redeveloped. The city started to develop the district where in the past, you found the cattle market, the slaughterhouse and the municipal customs depot. Other areas developed include the KNSM Island, Java island, Borneo-Sporenbrug, Rietlanden, Ijburg,and Oostelijke Handelskade and Veemkade.

I first visited Ijburg last June. Blog postings then included:

canal living and canal housing

and the Nesciobrug.

More photos portraying the architecture of this area to follow..

To read more about the history and architecture of the Amsterdam Docklands, click here for a very comprehensive and interesting website.