Het Torenhuys is an industrial, detached property, remodeled late 2015 to create a truly unique approx. 212 home. The home is extremely spacious and bright, spans 2 levels and is situated in popular and sought-after Helmers Quarter.
Layout
The ground-floor level serves three purposes, and is comprised of a generous kitchen/lounge, a welcoming living room and a study.
Several elements immediately command attention, such as the stunning ceiling heights, the direct line of sight from the hall through the kitchen to the living room and the robust steel door. Your senses have been awakened, your curiosity piqued. And will be satisfied as soon as you walk into the living room. A breathtaking space. A unique, seemingly cubic room of no less than 7.83 meters wide and nearly 4 meters tall. The concrete pillars in every corner are reminders of the building's original function and become exquisite features combined with the sleek, contemporary materials. The stunning M Design fireplace is centrally positioned in the living room. Despite the sheer dimensions of the space, the sellers have achieved an intimate, comfortable atmosphere.
The living room features double French doors to the driveway and the beautifully landscaped, secluded garden.
The custom-made kitchen with Barnwood cabinets and a concrete countertop align perfectly with the personality of the home. Siemens fitted appliances and the iconic AGA stove complement the kitchen perfectly. An antique panel door opens to the pantry.
At the front of the house is a multi-functional study, the coat area and a guest restroom.
First floor
The custom-made steel staircase, a modern industrial design, leads to the first floor. This level consists of three individual sections: the original crane tower, the perpendicular saddled roof with red roof tiles and the 'new' section above the living room.
The glass connections between the three sections has lent the landing unique character. During the day, it allows for an abundance of daylight entry. At the end of the landing, stairs lead to the spacious roof deck.
Under the saddled roof are the first two spacious bedrooms. These rooms have partially exposed roof beams and boast amazing, nearly 4 meter tall ceilings. The size of the rooms is emphasized by large Velux windows positioned one over the other, on the southeast-facing side of the roof. Both rooms measure ca. 9 sqm.
The third section, above the living room, accommodates the master bedroom with an en suite bathroom and a dressing room, the second bathroom, guest restroom and the fourth bedroom.
The en suite bathroom is fitted with flush cast flooring and Concrete Ciré on the walls. The bathroom has a Duravit by Starck bathtub, walk-in shower, toilet/bidet and a double vanity with Axor Starck Organic designer taps. The second bathroom also has flush cast flooring and is equipped with a walk-in shower and a double vanity.
Specifications:
• On-lot parking
• Automatic entry gate
• Alarm system with outdoor cameras
• Robust industrial home
• Allows for complete anonymity
• M-design fireplace
• AGA stove
• Axor Starck Organic designer taps
• Underfloor heating throughout, multiple individual zones
• Air conditioning on the first floor
• Air cleaning system throughout
• 500 liter warm water tank
• Listed municipal monument
• Roof deck of ca. 51 sqm
• Closing upon mutual agreement
Area
Helmers Quarter is in Amsterdam Oud-West borough. The area was named for Dutch poet Jan Frederik Helmers and was a part of the urban extension plan implemented in the late 19th century.
Enjoy everything the city has to offer. The best restaurants, coffee around the corner and a stroll through Vondelpark: all within easy walking distance. Bosboom Toussaintstraat is home to countless lovely restaurants and trendy cafes. Amenities, such as supermarkets, specialty shops and delis are on Constantijn Huygenstraat and Overtoom.
Nearby Stadhouderskade and Constantijn Huygensstraat offer quick access to the rest of the city. Trams and buses stop around the corner. From home, Central Station or Station Zuid are less than fifteen minutes away, and Schiphol Airport is less than a half hour from here. By car, the A10 beltway is a just few minutes' drive.
Het Torenhuys
First Helmersstraat No. 21, The Torenhuys, is characterized as truly a unique and surprising building. The first time I was shown around was overwhelming. And then it is also located in the nicest part of the popular Helmersbuurt.
At the end of the 19th century, beginning of the 20th century, this former power distribution station was designed by the Department of Public Works on behalf of the Municipal Energy Works. Despite the pronounced utilitarian function, a lot of attention has been paid to the architectural design of the building. The building is also important in the oeuvre of the Department of Public Works.
The above reflects, in my opinion, the rarity value of the building in a city like Amsterdam.
I was immediately captivated by the external features of the building. The brown brick in Flemish bond with recessed joint masonry and the block-shaped sober expressionist decoration in granite and concrete around the door part are unique and immediately catch the eye. The detailing is simple, but careful.
In 2006, the property was auctioned by the municipality of Amsterdam. In 2007, after a small renovation, the first residents moved in. The current owners acquired it in 2011 and renovated several times. In 2015, the entire interior was renovated into an attractive home that will amaze.
The current heart of the house is formed by the imposing living room and the robust kitchen. I am really impressed by the details and finish in combination with the state of maintenance. This can be classified as excellent. In summary, this is a hidden gem and a place to live anonymously in Oud-West near the center and Vondelpark.
Glenn van der Zanden | Real Estate Agent Broersma Residential
Design vision
Mark Graafland, architect of Bureau Kroner, from The Hague is specialized in the transformation of existing buildings and projects. He is responsible for the design of the extension of Het Torenhuys. The building is a distinctive building in the street. The original power distribution station dates from the end of the 19th century. The imposing hoist tower in Amsterdam School style was added later around 1920. We used that hoist tower to make the connection between the ground floor and the first floor, with a spectacular glass passage between the tower and the roof of the rear building and through the roof, to the new first floor. This allowed the living space on the ground floor to remain open. Through the spatial connection you experience very nicely how you walk from one building element into another. With different open-closed ratios, light incidence and various materials, the connection between old and new is shaped. We have designed a very expressively detailed facade in aluminum and glass, which refers in style and appearance to the rich architecture of the hoist tower, but with the materials of this time. We immediately received an enthusiastic response from aesthetics on this approach: adding something new to a monumental building. Old and new combined into a balanced unity.
SPACE
The property is an industrial detached house, converted into a very unique home of approximately 212 m². The house has a lot of space and light spread over two floors. The ground floor offers three functions: A spacious kitchen, a cozy living room and a study. Upon entering, several elements immediately catch the eye, such as the beautiful ceiling height, the direct view from the hall through the kitchen to the living room and the robust steel door. Senses are on edge and curiosity is aroused. These are more than satisfied when entering the living room. An amazing space in the broadest sense of the word. A unique, emotionally cubic, space of almost 8 meters wide.
The concrete pillars in each corner of the room refer to the original function of the building and come into their own in combination with sleek modern materials. The beautiful fireplace from M-design is central in the living room. Despite the grandeur of the space, the sellers have created a homely atmosphere. The custom-made kitchen with Barnwood fronts and a concrete worktop fit exactly in the atmosphere of the house. The Siemens built-in appliances and the mood-setting stove from AGA blend nicely into the kitchen. An old panel door conceals the utility room. At the front of the house is a multifunctional study, wardrobe and guest toilet.
LIGHT
The custom made steel staircase, with an industrial look, leads to the first floor. This floor can be distinguished into three separate sections, the original hoist tower, the transverse saddle roof covered with red tiles and the ‘new’ part above the living room.
The glass connection between the three sections gives the landing a unique character. During the day it creates an abundance of light. At the end of the landing is a staircase that gives access to the roof terrace.
Under the saddle roof are the first two spacious bedrooms situated. Both rooms have an area of approximately 9 m². These rooms show a part of the roof construction and have a beautiful ceiling height of almost 4 meters. The size of the rooms is extra emphasized by the large Velux windows that are placed above each other on the southeast side of the roof.
In the third section, above the living room, are the master bedroom with bathroom ensuite and dressing room, second bathroom, guest toilet and two extra bedrooms grouped.
The bathroom ensuite is equipped with a continuous cast floor and concrete cire on the walls. The bathroom has a Duravit by Starck bathtub, walk-in shower, toilet and double sink with Axor Starck Organic design faucets. The second bathroom is also equipped with a continuous cast floor and has a walk-in shower and a double sink.
De buitenruimte
Een tuin met zuid ligging en een heerlijk zonnig dakterras. Beiden quality outdoor space. De tuin is vanaf de straatzijde via twee poorten te betreden.
De hoofdpoort is elektrisch uitgevoerd en biedt toegang tot de stadstuin. De tuin is rondom de woning gelegen. Meerdere plekken in de tuin bieden op diverse tijdstippen een zonnig verblijf.
In de heerlijke stadstuin kan in een oase van rust genoten worden van de ultieme inside/outside ervaring. Door meerdere grote openslaande deuren in de tuin is dit een verlengde van de woonkamer.
Naast de heerlijke tuin biedt het huis ook een rooftop terrace. Toegankelijk via het elektrische dakluik en strak aangelegd. De RVS balustrade uitgevoerd in combinatie met gelaagd melkglas past goed bij de industriële uitstraling van het gebouw.
Door de vierkante vormgeving is het gemakkelijk om meerdere lounge areas te creëren. Het circa 51 m² grote terras biedt eveneens de mogelijkheid om een buitenkeuken te plaatsen.