Amsterdam's Hotel De L'Europe Gets New Look

As one of the Netherland’s leading designers and architects, Cees Dam’s zeal for sustainable development is revealed via his curriculum vitae of high-profile projects; his outstanding achievements and commitment to architecture and culture as part of a sustainable society earned him the Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion. According to Dam, “The essence of something from the past is that it has something to offer. To me, a good tradition is something flexible, something that you keep reshaping to adapt again and again.”

De L’Europe’s original landmarked Rondeel Building was erected 1895 –96 by architect W. Hamer who created a heavily detailed Renaissance-style façade that incorporated elements of the city’s architectural style into the original fashioning of the hotel, long considered an oasis of calm in this bustling metropolis. While keeping the exterior intact and compatible with the streetscape, the interior - from cellar to ceiling - is being completely rebuilt with new environmentally efficient construction materials and 21st century technology, maintaining the hotel’s leadership position in the hospitality industry of reducing the global carbon footprint. Of note, De L’Europe was Amsterdam’s first five-star hotel awarded The Green Key, the international hospitality industry’s eco-labeling program.

Similar to the Dutch Masters at the forefront of new painting techniques and ideas during the Northern European Renaissance, Dam’s philosophy incorporates pushing traditional design and architecture forward, or in his words, “what would De L’Europe look like if first built today?” Dam is intensely attentive to color, assembling four palettes for the ten diverse guest room and suite styles: black with grey and cream accents; cream with blue, green and red accents; red with green and gold accents; and blue with white accents. His goal of creating a sense of place and a feeling of home is augmented by his plans for the common areas, where Dam swathes the walls with his personal favorite color – reddish orange – successfully flattering each visitors’ complexion. Sophisticatedly subtle touches of gold, brown and green complement the dark wood trims and moldings.

Next door, Dam transformed the historical Theodoor Gilissen Bank into the new Dutch Masters Wing, an airy all-suite annex of 23 uniquely appointed, spacious loft-like quarters each with a different yet exacting replica Renaissance-era paintings augmented by oversized (2 x 3m) “thumbnail” details strategically hung in the rooms; the artwork was developed with cooperation from the nearby Rijksmuseum National Gallery. Reminiscent of a glass-topped greenhouse, the wing’s atrium streams sunlight over its three high-ceiling floors; passageways to each room are clearly defined, and hallways are decorated with oversized floral arrangements and comfortable furniture. The feeling of lightness carries into the impeccable details of the suites, exemplified by the bold and vintage colors of the paintings, fusing verve and panache with hints of history.

The new wing serves as the hotel’s main location until May 2011, so Dam added a separate entrance for De L’Europe’s elite clientele; five new elegant private dining rooms for celebrations and corporate events; a heated indoor swimming pool and fitness center with eye-level panoramic views of the Amstel River. A new spa debuts fall 2011. Hoofdstad Brasserie and the globally iconic Freddy’s Bar, named for Alfred Heineken who donated several paintings from his personal art collection to the common areas of the hotel, are conveniently but temporarily located here while construction of the main building is completed.

De L’Europe’s restaurants, including the new fine dining offering Bord’Eau, are Dam’s collaborative efforts with the hotel’s new executive chef Richard van Oostenbrugge. Dam sets Bord’Eau, the new fine dining offering, in a majestic backdrop of gold-kissed walls peppered with white leather furniture. With sweeping vistas of Amsterdam’s famed canals, the Amstel River and Munt Tower, warm lighting casts the room aglow, reflected in the shimmering waters alongside the building. Across the hall, Dam selected red fabrics, dark-wood and marble trim to create a casually chic vibe complimenting Hoofdstad Brasserie’s open-kitchen where patrons can observe the chef team preparing its noted modern continental cuisine to be enjoyed over lunch or a late night rendez-vous with friends. The new cigar lounge envelops guests with dark wood-paneled walls and deep green over-stuffed leather chairs, evoking a gentleman’s club from the turn of the century and a salon-like setting for the 21st.

"When something is new, it carries on the tradition but pushes beyond its limitations," explains Dam.

Hotel Profile: Hotel de L'Europe