The Beurs van Berlage was designed in 1896, by the renowned Dutch architect Hendrik Berlage, to house Amsterdam’s stock exchange. Incorporating, a range of traditional building styles, the Beurs is now seen as the Netherland’s most important example of 20th century architecture.
Making a statement
As a forerunner to the architectural style known as the “Amsterdam School”, the building is a testament to the artisans who built it – exposing and decorating the basic structures. Each of the 9 million bricks were intended by Berlage to represent the individual, with the resulting building representing society. Ironically, since it was designed for stock brokers, most of the artwork warns against capitalism.
On show
The Beurs is now often used as an event venue, for concerts, exhibitions and conferences. By arrangement, guided tours are given by Artiflex art historians and can be arranged in Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese.