NDSM-site

Former Slipway	Schipbuilding shed became artist hotspot
Artist studios in former shed	Hotel boat
Crane track became office	Amsterdam Marina
Apartments on former Shell-site	Housing on former Shell-site

NDSM-site

In the 1970s, the shipbuilding industry on the northern IJ bank in Amsterdam disappeared. Leaving behind an industrial landscape, desolate, but with the beauty of abandoned quays and warehouses. On the 32 ha site of shipyard NDSM, a neighbourhood is now developing with a rare alternation of living, working, recreation and events. Old sheds, now a national monument, are being preserved.

It will be a neighbourhood with, eventually, 3,000 homes. With many offices, including the headquarters of Hema, VNU, MTV, IDTV. And a large number of creative businesses. For instance, the huge shipbuilding shed has been made suitable for workshops and studios of hundreds of artists in the field of visual arts, design, theatre, film, media and architecture. On the former Kraanspoor, a 270-long concrete colossus over which cranes rode back and forth, a glass office was built on the initiative of architect Trude Hooykaas, who was looking for the perfect place for her own office. In terms of events, the site is already a household name including the annual Over´t IJ Festival, there are atmospheric restaurants. Stadswandelkantoor has a wonderful guided tour of the old wharf area, where we see the site from all sides: the history, the new buildings and the special activities.

Cycling is also very doable. Then we include the surrounding 1920s garden villages, new housing estate Overhoeks, self-build plots in Buiksloterham and film museum Eye.

Characterisation