Oostelijk Havengebied

Modern architecture & design

The Oostelijke Handelskade constitutes the heart of the Oostelijk Havengebied and has consisted of a chain of storehouses since the end of the 19^th century. Imposing residential blocks have now been put up between the storehouses as well as unusual places like the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ (‘Music Hall on the River IJ’), where you can attend concerts as well as eat and drink with a great view of the IJ. The Bimhuis puts Amsterdam on the map as prominent Jazz City in Europe. There is a concerthall and studio's where musicians work and experiment. The venue has performances of national and international jazz- and improvised music acts. Anually, the main jazz award (the Boy Edgar Award) is presented. Regularly, sessions are open to the public free of charge.

The Passengers Terminal Amsterdam, a beautiful glass building in the shape of a wave, is buzzing with cruise ship tourists coming and going. A cruise ship this big looks like a sailing block of flats!

Pedestrians can cross from Borneo Island to Sporenburg peninsula over a rather impressive bridge: the Pythonbrug ('Python Bridge'). This red ninety-metre-long bridge winds like a snake and ends up at the Scheepstimmermanstraat, where the residents themselves were allowed to design their houses. Yet more attractive architecture can be found on Java Island with its contemporary canals and nine playful bridges and KNSM Island with imposing residential blocks like Barcelona and Piraeus. There is also plenty of design for sale on KNSM, for on ‘design boulevard’ Loods 6 there are interior design and living shops like Sissy-Boy Homeland and Pols Potten as well as the modern children’s shop Keet in Huis. The Press Museum is the national repository for the journalistic heritage. The museum has an extensive collection of newspapers and magazines from 1600, a collection of posters and other advertising related to the press, a unique collection (original) political cartoons and news graphics, numerous archives and photographs around journalists and the press, and a extensive library.

Going out

A little further you'll find some great spots for a great night out. Housed in an old storehouse, there's the Amsterdam branch of Jamie Oliver’s concept restaurant Fifteen. There's also Odessa which offers dining, lounging and dancing in the replica of an old Russian merchant navy ship. For a luxurious time out from dusk till dawn, why not dine and stay at the Lloyd Hotel, a hotel in a former young offenders’ prison where famous designers, artists and architects have left their mark.

Interactive map

Open the interactive map with an overview of well-known and lesser-known hotspots in Amsterdam.