|
THE GRANDAmsterdam's New Heritage Hotelby Toni DabbsThe Grand in Amsterdam had a head start on living up to its name. Long before the Dutch hotel opened in the spring of 1992, its rooms had hosted an array of royalty. That's because The Grand came with a ready-made history, occupying a complex of heritage buildings dating from the 14th century, when the convent of St. Cecilia was built on the site.
Guests at Prinsenhof included: Prince William of Orange (1580); the Earl of Leicester (1586); Prince Maurice of Orange (1594); Maria de Medici, the widowed queen of France (1638); Louise Maria Gonzaga, queen of Poland (1645). In 1597, Prinsenhof also became headquarters of the Amsterdam Admiralty, one of five boards set up in Dutch port cities to manage the maritime affairs of the republic. These boards commissioned construction of new ships, supervised protection of the coast, and administered criminal law. Prinsenhof ceased to serve as lodgings for eminent guests in 1647 and was transferred in its entirety to the Admiralty in 1656. Five years later, the board expanded the facilities, adding a new wing to the south.
A year later, Compagnie Phenix Internationale submitted plans for converting the landmark — bounded by Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Prinsenhofsteeg, Oudezijds Achterburgwal and Sint Agnietenstraat — into a five-star hotel under the supervision of Albert Roux, recognized for converting a former Edwardian townhouse in London's Mayfair district into a successful small hotel, Le Gavroche. Roux's London experience did not make the Amsterdam project any easier, though. The Monumentenzorg, the government agency responsible for preserving heritage properties, insisted that nothing of historical or architectural merit be demolished or changed. Therefore, doors, frames, screens and other fixtures were dismantled, catalogued, packed and stored in a climate controlled warehouse before renovation work was started.
Another big problem was introduction of the modern amenities required for a luxury hotel. For example, piles had to be driven to a depth of 14 meters (46 feet) so that the 15-meter by 40-meter (49-foot by 131-foot) kitchen floor could be lowered by 14 centimeters (5.5 inches). The work had to be done in a space with only 2.5 meters (eight feet) of headroom, necessitating adaptation of equipment and technology. Such care has resulted in a fully functional hotel with a truly unique character and a gracious atmosphere that few all-new properties can duplicate. Guests of The Grand enter through a quiet forecourt off Oudezijds Voorburgwal, where they are greeted by the classical baroque facade of the 1661 addition. Relief decoration on the pediment, designed by Willem van de Gaffel, includes the Admiralty's coat of arms flanked by allegorical figures representing justice, war and the sea. On the roof are gilded weather vanes depicting flag ships of commanding officers of the Admiralty. The ground floor of this wing now serves as the hotel lobby, while upstairs, the Council Chamber, virtually unchanged, provides a refined setting for banquets and large meetings.
While the Council Chamber was the site of the wedding of Queen Beatrix, current monarch of The Netherlands, a smaller reception room witnessed most marriages conducted at the Town Hall after its 1924 addition.
Four other rooms are available for meetings and special events, including the former burgomaster's office and the room where the burgomaster and aldermen met in camera. Interesting features have been preserved throughout the hotel's public areas. For example, stained glass windows by R. N. Roland Holst, presented by the city of Rotterdam in recognition of Amsterdam's 650th anniversary in 1920, illuminate the main staircase in the 1924 addition. On the second floor, between that staircase and the Council Chamber, is an openwork mahogany screen by Hildo Krop portraying the founding of Amsterdam, with the virgin of the Amstel River surrounded by the starry heavens. At the entrance to Cafe Roux, one of the hotel's two restaurants, is the mural "Vragende Kinderen" ("Questioning Children"), painted by Karel Appel in 1949 to pay off a debt which he owed to the community. Today, the work is insured for $1.17 million.
More of those baked goods can be sampled with afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge, amid inviting clusters of chintz covered sofas and easy chairs. The Admiralty, specializing in seafood, is the restaurant for business lunches and formal dinners. By day, a small conservatory facing the inner courtyard garden sheds light on the intimate interior; by night, the warm glow of a fireplace enhances the decor's vibrant red, blue and gold color scheme. Head Chef Stephen Docherty has aspirations of the restaurant's earning three Michelin stars within a few years. Throughout the hotel, retention of original walls has kept the complex's basic layout intact, lending individuality to each of the 166 deluxe guest rooms and suites. All are modernly furnished for comfort and convenience, employing quality materials, decorative woods and fine fabrics. Further evidence of the hotel's regard for its 20th century clientele is a state-of-the-art health and leisure center, including heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, solarium and fitness equipment. The Grand, having already played a significant role in Amsterdam's past, could have a future as the city's most prestigious hotel. Contact The Grand Photos by Toni Dabbs Copyright 1999 by Toni Dabbs. Reproduction of this work (including photographs) in whole or in part, including reproduction in electronic media, without the expressed permission of the author is prohibited. The author has granted one-time rights only. |
|
TM
During the late 1500s, when the Calvinist Reformation stifled Catholicism, the convent fell into the hands of Amsterdam's city fathers, who converted part of it into accommodations for distinguished visitors and renamed it Prinsenhof (princes' court).
During the period of French rule, the Admiralty was abolished (1795) and City Council was moved to Prinsenhof (1808) so that King Louis Bonaparte, younger brother of Napoleon I, could convert the former Town Hall on the Dam into a palace. City Council added another wing in 1924, and continued to use Prinsenhof as the Town Hall until 1988, when it relocated to the
Stopera.
A major problem was the construction of an underground parking garage within the complex. A wall had to be built first, then piles were driven and the cavity
excavated.
The heavily paneled chamber is dominated by the massive council table carved with animals representing the four compass points: polar bears, north; elephants, east; camels, south; and
bisons, west. On the wall behind the table are figures painted by J. Thorn
Prikker, standing for truth, justice, authority, harmony, progress, faith and love. On the high back of the burgomaster's chair are the words
"Legi Gregi" ("for law and citizenry").
The Wedding Chamber has carved wooden doors opening opposite Art Nouveau stained glass windows by Chris Lebeau depicting the marriage ceremony. Complimentary murals in soft shades of rose, mint and cream portray courtship and married life on the remaining walls and the 12 signs of the zodiac on the
ceiling.
Cafe Roux occupies the former refreshment room of the Town Hall, with views of the Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal. Meant for casual dining, it serves simple meals throughout the day. It includes a small shop selling freshly ground coffee and goods prepared daily in the hotel's own bakery.