Amsterdam’s city council had long dreamed of bringing the city center back to the waterfront of the IJ, a broad river dividing the city into two parts. Although the original city center had been located along the southern bank of the IJ, development in the early 20th century separated the city’s urban core from the water and, until recently, this area was an active harbor inaccessible to the public. After years of planning that began in the 1980s, the city is now redeveloping a long strip of land on the south side of the IJ with an urban master plan that calls for a mix of housing, offices, public buildings, and other civic related functions. The Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ (Music Hall on the IJ) is playing a fundamental role in this revitalization effort.

Developer/Owner
Dienst Maatschappelijke Ontwikkeling (City of Amsterdam Department of Cultural Affairs)
Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Architect
3XN
Århus, Denmark

Project Manager
ABT bv
Arnhem, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Principal Authors
Julie Stern and David Taksuye

ULI Awards for Excellence 2006 Winner