This black-white-red modernist bridge house is on the doorstep of Amsterdam’s vibrant Vondelpark. Your bedroom window is the perfect spot for watching locals on their daily bicycle commute. Skip across to the park and enjoy the greenest part of the city or join the locals at one of the street-side cafés.
The neighbourhood has a village feel, but within a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute bike ride through the park, you are at the busy Leidseplein square or the music venue Paradiso. Have your breakfast at the public picnic table on the banks of the canal — directly adjacent to your bridge house — or grab the hammock from the cabinet and relax on your private porch!
From 1974 to 2017 the Theophile de Bockbrug bridge house accommodated the city’s bridge keepers. In 2017 the bridge house started a new chapter as one of 28 suites for SWEETS hotel.
Architect 1974: Dirk Sterenberg
Architect 2017: Space&Matter
Architectural Style: Structuralism
Location: Sloterkade
Waterway: Schinkel
Bridge Type: Drawbridge
In the 60s and 70s, industrial construction methods were increasingly employed in the construction of simple, inexpensive buildings such as the Theophile de Bockbrug bridge house. Built in 1974 according to a design by Dirk Sterenberg, it consists of a concrete pile in the water, on top of which is a concrete slab that serves as the foundation for a taut, box-shaped structure. The exterior elements, white sheets in black frames, are made of aluminium, a material that was increasingly used in that period. The building is accessed via a flight of stairs on the streetside. Next to the entrance is a space previously used to store the bridge keeper’s bicycle. In order to brighten up the austere design, Sterenberg added some colour accents, as seen in the yellow bridge railings and the red highlights on the bridge and the bridge house.
Before you book a SWEET stay, please read our house rules:
37m
French toast and bacon for breakfast? Skip across the road to this cosy local restaurant for a solid breakfast. Open for lunch and dinner too. They run on green energy and source from only local and seasonal organic ingredients. (Photo courtesy of Gent aan de Schinkel)
220m
This is by far the most popular park in Amsterdam, always bustling - a locals hangout. (Photo courtesy of Holland)
270m
Calling all meat lovers and fans of great South-African BBQ flavours -- head to this little road-side vendor on the border of the Vondelpark. In the summer months they have a sweet seating arrangement on the water. Their spare ribs and peri-peri chicken are highly recommended! (Photo courtesy of Braai Amsterdam)
150m
This saladbar is everywhere in de city, serving fresh and yummy salads and soups - for the healthy nuts among us. (Photo courtesy of SLA)
Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Keep exploring other bridge houses.
A 1940s bridge house located between two of the most popular parks in Amsterdam, with and endless number of cafés, restaurants and shops around every corner.
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Modern and cosy bridge house in lively Amsterdam West, easily accessible from Schiphol Airport (20 min) and at walking distance from the popular Vondelpark.
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