Unique Amsterdam property for sale


In the Eastern part of the old center of Amsterdam, in the Kadijken, one can still find many old warehouses and docks and ports where in the old days the hustle and bustle of trade would be a constant companion of those living there. As this bit of Amsterdam’s port was closed in with the building of the Central Station and with that closing in the water ways, the warehouses became derelict, turning the area into a grim and very unpopular part of town.

Entrepotdok

Entrepotdok

In the last couple of decades of the 20th century however, the local government made a point of turning this part of the city into what is now considered one of the nicest. With the main shopping districts, popular attractions and public transport within a stone’s throw, real estate is often priced in the higher regions and only affordable for the lucky few. One of the most desirable addresses here is the Entrepotdok.

At number 1 Entrpotdok, almost in the water, the old guards house is for sale. This is a truly unique property as it is pretty much detached.

Entrepotdok 1

Entrepotdok 1

The second floor was put up in the 1990’s, creating a lot of extra square meters bringing the total to about 115m2. There is no official garden or outside space but the owners have always used the bit of space directly on the water just outside the front door which is granted and a privilege not likely taken away anymore. Towards the front it overlooks a small square which is actually the former courtyard of the dock, with the gate still intact.

Once inside the main floor features a living room with spectacular views of the canals, and a bedroom with the same view and a separate bathroom with shower and toilet. Wraught iron small stairs lead to the lower floor with an eat-in kitchen and storage room. The new 2nd floor is now in use as a large study / guest room with its own bathroom with bath, shower, sink and a 2nd toilet. This floor can easily be converted into two rooms.

 

The courtyard

The courtyard

View from the living room

View from the living room

Multifunctional room upstairs

Multifunctional room upstairs

 

The agent selling this property speaks of a ‘one time opportunity’ which it really is. Whoever sweeps up this gem will likely live there for quite a few years to come.  It’s on the market for € 699.000.

Unusual homes


Further to my post about shoe shaped buildings, I did a bit more research on the internet and found more unusual homes to share here. There are obviously hundreds, if not thousands, more. Here just  tip of the iceberg.

Shell House beach rental on Isa Mujeres

Shell House beach rental on Isa Mujeres

Another Shell house, this one in Mexico City

Another Shell house, this one in Mexico City

Winthrop Castle, Winthrop, Washington state USA

Winthrop Castle, Winthrop, Washington state USA

House in the Clouds, Thorpeness, Suffolk, UK

House in the Clouds, Thorpeness, Suffolk, UK

Abandoned UFO houses, 15km north of Taiwan's capitol

Abandoned UFO houses, 15km north of Taiwan's capitol

Rezydent Shopping Center, Sopot, Poland

Rezydent Shopping Center, Sopot, Poland

Maze in Cordes sur Ciel, France, with a house hidden inside

Maze in Cordes sur Ciel, France, with a house hidden inside

Pierre Cardin's house, Théoule-sur-Mer, French Riviera

Pierre Cardin's house, Théoule-sur-Mer, French Riviera

Habitat 67, Montreal, Canada

Habitat 67, Montreal, Canada

Stone House, Guimarães, Portugal

Stone House, Guimarães, Portugal

Wooden Gangster House, Archangelsk, Russia

Wooden Gangster House, Archangelsk, Russia

Architect's house in Cincinnati Ohio, USA (aka the WTF house)

Architect's house in Cincinnati Ohio, USA (aka the WTF house)

MLZD architects extension of a Swiss school


My blogging colleague archiDE featured an article on his blog about the extension of a Swiss school. It was designed by Swiss architect firm MLZD. They made use of the existing shape of the building yet in two completely different appearances. One part more or less in style with the old building, and the other in grey aluminium sheets with floral patterned cut-outs. The result looks surprisingly harmonious!

 

MLZD architects Wettingen school extension

MLZD architects Wettingen school extension

interior

interior of the 'old' new part

Interior of the 'new' new part.

Interior of the 'new' new part.

Look through floral cut-outs in aluminium

Look through floral cut-outs in aluminium

 

Check the architects potfolio here

Back of the boring house


Further to the front of the dull house in my previous post, I also tried to alter the back a little.
It looks as if I actually painted on the pic, but it’s all Microsoft Paint’s tools I used. Very basic, and nothing like Photoshop, but I do like the result 😉

Back of the house before

Back of the house before

This is what it looked like before. The window frames in the garage are a different colour from the rest of the house. Also, the terrace is too small and they only have one single door leading to the garden from the main house. That is where the kitchen is. The window on the left is the bedroom.
Here’s what I tried.
Dull no more!

Dull no more!

To start, the exterior walls are painted white to match the front of the house.  The window on the left was changed into a double door. This allows immediate access from the bedroom to the garden. Then a conservatory was added back to the kitchen. This also makes the house look more elegant, and it creates an extra room inside. As it is adjacent to the kitchen, one can have coffee or breakfast there when the temperature is too low to sit outside, but the sun is out.
Obviously adding a bit of season, literally as I added spring, helps. The plants are in bloom, and there are leaves on the trees. Also, the glass fence between this garden and the neighbour’s is now covered in ivy. Flagstones lead to the back of the garden where there’s another terrace and an outside fire place. I don’t think I will be able to alter that photograph anymore today, but I might post it later.
I hope you like these tricks. It looks better I think 😉