You may have already had the pleasure of visiting beautiful Amsterdam. Maybe you’ve walked along the narrow cobbled streets of the red light district and shopped along the boutiques of the nine streets, you’ve got up close to the masters at the Rijksmuseum and the contemporary art at The Stedelijk Museum. You’ve tried the sticky goodness of the stroopwafles, burnt your mouth on a bitterballen and queued (for some strange reason) at at Friteshuis for some fries. Maybe you’ve even indulged in a little coffee shop action and got lost around the canal ring, but like every cosmopolitan city there’s always a corner, a patch, an area and a district that is hipper than the last.
There’s a reason Amsterdam is such a well-visited city and if you’ve been before you might think you’ve seen it all, but for the repeat visitors who are seeking out something a bit different and want to check out some new areas then it’s time to step away from Dam Square and jump on a tram, ferry or the metro and get into some of the city’s neighbourhoods.
The south east of the city is one of the least explored areas for visitors and while it might not have the charm of the old Dutch townhouses this 1960s area has a lot going for it.
“We’re not your usual hotel“
The main street of Wibautstraat was once know as the ugliest in the city by locals and was home to ‘De volkskrant’ newspaper for 42 years. Fast forward to the 2020’s and the district’s local companies are working together to lift up the area; making it greener and cleaner rather than being known as the busy route out of Amsterdam.
Now home to the largest ‘Broedplaatsen’ (creative workspaces) in Holland thanks to the Urban Resort Foundation which saved the empty newspaper complex turning it into a hub of creative spaces attracting a community of artists, architects, performers, designers and musicians.
With 85 creative offices at the back of the building and 25 music studios in the basement the space also includes the Volkshotel – a concept-like hotel with a number of room types to cater for hostel sharing travellers (think mini cabins with a choice of small and large sharing spaces) to design-loving weekenders (there are also 8 specially designed rooms with different themes) and creative long-stayers (studio suites with self-catering facilities, balconies and living quarters).
The free co-working space on the ground floor offers locals and visitors a 24 hour society with different programming flows creeping throughout the day. A neighbours market, fashion events, photography shows and a curated collective of artist in residence animate daytimes while DJ’s and performers cater for the night culture.
Artist residences at Volkshotel can be from 4 weeks to 6 months with something created for the hotel which offer an exchange of creativity and knowledge especially for those who may find it hard to share their voice in more mainstream venues and spaces. There’s a desire here to have a sustainable long term growth of creative talent – an important idea that can be overlooked in gentrified and heavily populated cities.
Guest wise it is a real inclusive mix of those wanting to be just outside of the main central area, folks looking for something a little different, friends seeking a cool hang out, families checking out the relaxed but tasty dining options and co-workers with their heads down typing away on Mac books.
On our way to check-in there is a hairstylist offering dry cuts on a platform inbetween the desk and the long co-working benches. It feels performative and clearly the clientele aren’t feeling too worried about being centre of attention as the sign for the 35euro cuts tells us she is fully booked.
As we make our way to our room we take a peek into the dorms. Ply is liberally used to make pastel coloured mini private sleep cabins which look roomy and private-enough if you’re travelling with friends.
Our studio is over 2 floors. Downstairs there is a kitchenette, table and sofas with a wall-hung TV and upstairs the low-level bed and shower. It’s minimal and functional design in a limited, stylish colour palette. The balcony looks out to a neighbouring street but the doors close at night so we are unable to enjoy the unusually hot summer nights on there.
That said, there’s plenty to keep us occupied in the rest of the hotel including the 360 views of the city from the top floor Canvas restaurant. The balcony is ideal for cocktails and indoors perfect for dinner, after service the tables are cleared for dancing to commence.
Volkshotel’s were kind enough to curate a 24-hour cultural itinerary for Fused of places to check out. This is where they took us:
Nieuw Dakota – an exhibition space for contemporary art, located at the NDSM wharf in Amsterdam and is open Thursday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm nieuwdakota.com.
Nestled within a colossal warehouse in the former shipbuilding hub of NDSM, STRAAT offers an impressive 86,000 square feet of exhibition space offering up a street art lovers dream of impressive-scale paintings and installations.
OSCAM – open space contemporary art museum – is a space for young and early career artists on the Bijlmerplein in Amsterdam Southeast that offers a platform for experimentation in art, fashion, design, craftsmanship and development.
Contemporary art from across Europe features at W139 in this artist-led space that offers an alternative to the state-run museums and commercial galleries, alongside an ambitious seven-week long programme providing makers and initiatives with the opportunity to present new projects (or work-in-progress) serving as a platform for communities to meet and exchange ideas while aiming to support, enhance, and contribute to the artistic ecosystem.
Nestled in the heart of the red light district Oude Kerk (Old Church) combines a working place of worship and sanctuary with a brilliantly curated contemporary art space that is woven beautifully into the fabric of the building. Attracting big names in the art scene the mix of residencies and performances are not to be missed.
With thanks to the Creative Concept Coordinator of Volkshotel, Tijs Bullock, for being out cultural insider guide. For more information on creative places and spaces, and what is happening when visit Iamsterdam.com.
