Exquisitely charming, multi-purpose canal house with a beautiful and expansive south-facing garden and bell gable. This authentic, welcoming canal house has a GFA of 588 sqm and an NFA of 471 sqm with an elevator is ideal for dual occupancy. This is a listed national heritage building (Rijksmonument) dating back to approximately 1694, renovated with respect for the original character. Freehold property.
Layout
The building is comprised of a canal-facing house and a rear annex. The canal-facing house has five full floors and an attic. The rear annex spans four full floors and an attic. A specific feature is the individual residential unit on the fourth and fifth floors which can be accessed separately by elevator. The canal-facing house features a large ground-floor study at the front.
The ground floor includes two studies and a spacious yet inviting kitchen/lounge at the rear that opens to the garden. The kitchen accesses the wine cellar.
The large south-facing garden is sunny and an oasis of tranquility and privacy.
On the first floor of the canal-facing house is a stunning period room which was restored under the supervision of architect de G. Prins. This room has space for a grand piano and has 3.60m tall ceilings and a fireplace. Due to the low window sills and three canal-facing windows, the natural daylight entry is exceptional and underscores the appeal of this room.
In the rear annex is a large bedroom with French doors to the roof deck and a private bathroom with a bathtub.
The third floor includes two bedrooms, both with private bathrooms, and a bright living room overlooking the canal.
The fourth floor of the rear annex accommodates a romantic bedroom with a private shower and a separate restroom.
The individual apartment, completely separate apartment unit begins on the fourth floor and can be accessed by elevator. The apartment spans two levels, an attic and has a terrace at the rear. The living room and open-plan kitchen are both on the fourth floor, the top floor encompasses two sizeable bedrooms and a central bathroom. The attic floor features a restored crane for hoisting.
The sunny garden faces south and spans a length of 19 meters. The garden can be accessed from the kitchen/lounge and via the extension off the kitchen.
Area
Situated in Spiegelbuurt district, on a quiet, residential stretch of Keizersgracht, nearby Spiegelstraat, Rijksmuseum and Amstelveld. Excellent public transportation connections, including the Noord-Zuidlijn metro and numerous tram lines. Within walking distance of all amenities, and a wide range of cultural venues and outstanding restaurants.
Specifications
• Complete canal house with a restored foundation and elevator
• Sunny south-facing garden
• Beautiful adorned grand staircase in between the canal-facing house and the rear annex
• Wine cellar
• Opportunity for dual occupancy
• Freehold property
• Listed national heritage building (Rijksmonument, number 2650), situated in a UNESCO world heritage site area
The Double Emperor
Living in a spacious national monument of approximately 471 m² on the widest canal in Amsterdam, right in the heart of the canal belt with a rich offering of boutiques and dining establishments. This stately yet elegant building was constructed in 1694. This excellently laid out canal house consists of four floors that are not only connected by stairs but also offer the convenience of an indoor elevator. In the front house, the separate apartment begins, which is also accessible by elevator and can be used entirely independently. This apartment consists of two levels, an attic, and has a terrace at the rear. The living room and open kitchen are located on the third floor, and on the top floor, there are two spacious bedrooms with a bathroom in between.
Otte van Apeldoorn | Real Estate Agent Broersma Residential
The building
The Double Emperor is a typical Amsterdam canal house with a clock gable, built in 1695 and designated as a national monument. Moreover, it is part of the historic canal belt, which received international recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. The building consists of a front and rear house. The front house has five floors and an attic, while the rear house consists of four floors and an attic. Remarkable is the separate residential unit on the fourth and fifth floors of the front house, which is independently accessible via an elevator. In addition, the front house on the ground floor at the front has a large study room.
Living and cooking
Upon entering this canal house, one finds themselves in a beautiful hallway, meticulously designed with attention to detail. At the beginning of the hallway is an office/living room with an impressive view over the Keizersgracht. On this floor, there is also a space that can be used as an office. At the end of the hallway is a delightful kitchen equipped with all modern conveniences and directly connected to a pantry. On the first floor of the front house is a beautifully renovated style room under the auspices of architect G. Prins, with space for a grand piano, a ceiling height of 3.60 meters, and a fireplace. The low parapet and the three windows overlooking the canal allow beautiful light to enter, enhancing the allure of this space. In the rear house, there is a spacious bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, featuring a bathtub, sink, and toilet. Additionally, from this bedroom, French doors provide access to a terrace overlooking the garden.
Sleeping and bathing
On the second floor, there are three bedrooms, one of which has an en-suite bathroom at the rear of the canal house. The other two bedrooms are at the front and both have access to a second bathroom through a shared hallway.
The third floor is divided into two parts: the front part forms a separate apartment. The part belonging to the lower house is at the rear of the third floor and is accessible via its own staircase. Here, there is a bedroom with shower and access to a toilet.
Garden
The sunny garden faces south and extends over a depth of 19 meters, accessible from the kitchen and through the kitchen’s extension. Due to its generous dimensions, the space is an oasis of tranquility and privacy.
The front of house
In the front house, the apartment begins on the third floor and is accessible via a lift, allowing complete independent use. The apartment spans two floors and an attic, featuring a sunny terrace at the rear. On the third floor, you’ll find the living room and open kitchen, while the upper floor houses two spacious bedrooms and a bathroom equipped with a bathtub, shower, washbasin, and toilet. The attic houses a renovated crane, intended for hoisting goods upstairs.
Accessibility
Thanks to its central location, the property is highly accessible. The southern part of the canal connects via Stadhouderskade to Vijzelgracht and via Spiegelgracht. For those traveling by bike, on foot, or by car, there are multiple routes, including via Leidsegracht. Public transportation is just around the corner, with tram lines on Vijzelstraat and a metro stop at Vijzelgracht easily reachable. Additionally, all amenities are within walking distance, and there are numerous cultural institutions and excellent restaurants in the immediate vicinity.
Parking
Parking is available through a permit system on public roads (permit area Centrum-2f). With a parking permit for Centrum-2f, you can park in Centrum-2. A residential parking permit costs €315.60 per 6 months. Currently, there is an 8-month waiting period for this permit area. A second parking permit is not possible in this area. (Source: Municipality of Amsterdam, March 2024).
Wat de bewoners gaan missen
Zelfs na dertig jaar is het wonen aan misschien wel de mooiste gracht van Nederland een feest. Door de hoge ramen in de grote kamer valt het licht van de ochtendzon prachtig naar binnen. In de zomer met de ramen wijd open, vormt de gracht een vrolijk schouwspel met de talloze bootjes. Een zachte bries door de hoge kamer houdt de ruimte altijd heerlijk koel.
Maar ook in de winter, comfortabel met de haard aan, valt er prachtig licht binnen en blijft de gracht een boeiend uitzicht. Helemaal in de winters dat we ijs hadden en er geschaatst werd, zelfs al was het maar een paar dagen. Dat zijn unieke momenten.
Kerst vormde het hoogtepunt voor de hele familie in de prachtige grote kamer. Diners met soms meer dan 20 mensen aan een prachtig gedekte tafel, tussen de hoge spiegels en natuurlijk weer de warmte van de grote haard.
Naast de grote kamer zullen we de keuken met uitloop naar de zonnige tuin ook missen. De meest gebruikte ruimte van het huis was niet alleen voor het gezin de centrale plek, maar ook voor de etentjes met vrienden. Aan de grote tafel onder de het oude balkenplafond kon iedereen aanschuiven en was iedereen welkom. Regelmatig moest het luik dan even open van de onder de keuken gelegen wijnkelder.
De unieke wijnkelder was een cadeau dat wij kregen, toen we de fundering vernieuwde. Onverwacht werd deze ‘waterkelder’ ontdekt en sindsdien is deze in gebruik als wijnkelder.
Nu de jongens uit huis zijn breekt een nieuwe fase aan en we zien hier ook naar uit. Het is misschien lastig te zeggen wat we allemaal gaan missen, maar de combinatie van het levendige van de stad aan de gracht en de oase van rust aan de tuinkant zal zeker iets zijn dat we gaan missen.