Page 118 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

116  A MSTERD A M

departure, interpreting the Art burned down. The theatre
Nouveau style in an angular was designed by Jan Springer
Dutch fashion. The building’s and AL van Gendt, who
turreted exterior and elaborate was responsible for the
brickwork anticipated the Concertgebouw (see p124)
progressive Amsterdam and for part of the Centraal
School (see pp146–7). Station (see p94). The planned
The Art Deco-style Café ornamentation of the theatre’s
Americain is one of the most red-brick exterior was never
Star-lit façade of De Melkweg elegant in Amsterdam. It retains carried out because of budget
near Leidseplein its period furnishings and cuts. This, combined with a
stained-glass windows. The rest hostile public reaction to his
9 Leidseplein of the hotel was redecorated theatre, forced a disillusioned
in the 1980s. Samples of the Springer into virtual retirement.
Map 4 E2. v 1, 2, 5, 7, 10.
original furnishings are in the Public disgust was due, however,
Amsterdam’s liveliest square, Rijksmuseum (see pp126–9). to the management’s policy of
Leidseplein is also a busy tram restricting use of the front door
intersection and centre of to patrons who had bought
night-time transport. q Stadsschouwburg expensive tickets.
The square developed in the Leidseplein 26. Map 4 E2. Tel 020- The former home of the
17th century as a wagon park on 6242311. v 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10. Box office: Dutch national ballet and opera
the outskirts of the city – farmers Open 10am–6pm Mon–Sat. See companies, the theatre today
and peasants would leave their Entertainment p151. & ^ 7 stages plays by local drama
carts here before entering the ∑ stadsschouwburgamsterdam.nl groups such as the resident
centre. It takes its name from the Toneelgroep, as well as
Leidsepoort, the massive city This Neo-Renaissance building international companies,
gate demolished in 1862, which is the most recent of the city’s including many English-
marked the beginning of the three successive municipal language productions. The foyer
route out to Leiden. theatres, its predecessors having houses a popular restaurant.
During the day, the square
is buzzing with fire-eaters,
buskers and other street
performers playing to café
audiences. It is also popular
with pickpockets. At night, it
is the focal point for the city’s
youth, who hang out in the
many bars, cafés, restaurants,
nightclubs and cinemas in and
around the square.

0 American Hotel
Leidsekade 97. Map 4 E2. Tel 020-
5563000. v 1, 2, 5, 7, 10. 0 -
Leidseplein was fast becoming
a fashionable entertainment
area when the American Hotel
was built overlooking it in 1882.
The hotel got its name because
its architect, W Steinigeweg,
studied hotel design in the
United States, and adorned his
Neo-Gothic creation with a
bronze eagle, wooden figures of
native Indians and murals of
American landscapes. Within 20
years it was deemed passé and
the hotel was demolished.
The present building is by
Willem Kromhout (1864–1940)
and was completed in 1902.
His design marked a radical The American Hotel seen from Singelgracht
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp396–7 and pp406–9

116-117_EW_Netherlands.indd 116 16/01/17 12:03 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.4)
Date 25th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm