Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Beurs van Berlage was designed as a commodity exchange by architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage and constructed between 1896 and 1903. It influenced many modernist architects, in particular functionalists and the Amsterdam School. It is now used as a venue for concerts, exhibitions and conferences.

The building is constructed of red brick, with an iron and glass roof and stone piers, lintels and corbels. Its entrance is under a 40m high clock tower, while inside lie three large multi-storey halls formerly used as trading floors, with offices and communal facilities grouped around them.

The aim of the architect was to modify the styles of the past by emphasizing sweeping planes and open plan interiors. It has stylistic similarities with some earlier buildings, for instance St Pancras station and the work of H. H. Richardson in America, or the Castell dels Tres Dragons, Barcelona, by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. True to its nineteenth-century roots, it maintains the use of ornament in a civic structure.

On 2 February 2002 the civil ceremony of the wedding of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Máxima Zorreguieta took place in the Beurs van Berlage.

The Beurs van Berlage has a café located on the Beursplein side and the tower is also open to the public.

References:

Wikipedia

Miscellaneous historic sites in Netherlands

User Reviews

Giovanni Fazzi (12 months ago)
I analized this building when I was a student in the Università of Rome. 40 years ago I went to Amsterdam also for admire this masterpiece. It is an excellent and elegant example of architecture. I love the works of Berlage

Russ Watts (12 months ago)
One of the best places to hold a conference or event. Totally impressed with the staff and the architecture is both beautiful and historic.

Gabriela (iamfoodietraveler) (14 months ago)
I visited for quite a few events over the years, the latest being during the pandemic in 2021 the Candlelight classical music night. It was pretty magical and intimate atmosphere. I can’t wait for the next events

Alexandru Barbu (2 years ago)
Awesome place, perfect for a conference. The architecture, though quite industrial and practical, was very pleasant. The team which takes care of the venue is top notch, with very few exceptions. Behind this building you will find the Amsterdam stock exchange building along with the bull's statue. You can also check the history behind the name Wall Street which comes from the walls protecting the street from floods.

Wolf Silicon (2 years ago)
Quiet place to have a snack and watch birds.

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