Tag Archives: apartments

The smallest apartments in Amsterdam


A top three of teeny-tiny apartments in the Amsterdam real estate market.

1. 16m2 / 172 ft2, right on the canal

This very compact refurbished studio apartment on Amsterdam’s posh Prinsengracht offers all you need. A new kitchen with basic appliances, a small freshly retiled bathroom with shower, toilet and vanity. The roof is sloped,further limiting the available floor space. But it has its charm, and I can imagine the view, once one sticks their head out of the window, is quite nice. The studio is in the front of the building, so canal side. It was on the market for €120.000 / $162.000. That’s €7500 per m2 / $942 per ft 2, which is quite steep even for Amsterdam standards. But it sold within 4 months.

A tiny studio right on an Amsterdam canal

A tiny studio right on an Amsterdam canal

Refurbished and move-in ready

Refurbished and move-in ready

2. 22 m2 / 237 ft 2, again on the same canal

Funny enough the second smallest apartment is not far from the previous one. Again, this tiny studio is in a very characteristic and typical Amsterdam building on the canal. However, this apartment is not as refurbished as the other one, and the kitchen leaves a lot more to desire. But it does have double doors opening to a French balcony and I guess it’s bigger. The apartment faces the garden in the back, so no canal view. A big bonus is a storage room on the ground floor and access to a communal garden. This one was on the market for €129.000 / $174.400 and sold in a bit over 4 months. The price per m2 / ft 2 of €5864 / $736 didn’t scare potential buyers.

Another studio on one of Amsterdam's famous canals

Another studio on one of Amsterdam’s famous canals

French doors leading to a French balcony facing the communal gardens

French doors leading to a French balcony facing the communal gardens

View to the gardens in the back. The owner of this studio has shared use of the garden

View to the gardens in the back. The owner of this studio has shared use of the garden

3. A 23 m2 / 248 ft 2 studio with balcony overlooking a canal in up and coming Amsterdam West

This building is a bit of a landmark. It’s right along a canal by a working drawbridge, so many of Amsterdam’s inhabitants have seen it while waiting for passing boats. It’s in a part of town that was not really desirable up until a few years back. Since then, many people have ventured that way for its cheap real estate, and its proximity to the more popular parts of the city. This brought in new shops, bars and restaurants and in turn caused a fast rise in prices and a shift in the area’s popularity. That makes the price of €89.000 / $120.000 surprising.  Only since the crunch have prices dropped slightly below €100.000 for the smallest of places in lesser areas. The owner must have been going for a quick sale. Like the other, this one sold in a little over 4 months. Surprising because flats in this building tend to sell faster. Especially considering this is one of the few with a balcony. Only the first and top floor units have these. The apartment consists of a small living/bedroom, a separate kitchen, nice when you only have one room, and a small bathroom. There are a few built-in closets. The view is quite spectacular. And there’s a shared garden, laundry facilities, private storage and a communal bike storage. The building itself is an architectural gem so all in all a very good deal for €3870 per m2 / $484 ft 2.

The 'Geuzenflat' overlooks a working drawbridge in one of Amsterdam's newer canals.

The nicknamed ‘Geuzenflat’ overlooks a working drawbridge in one of Amsterdam’s newer canals.

The building's official name is Oranjehof, and is listed as a monument

The building’s official name is Oranjehof, and is listed as a monument

The door leads to a balcony overlooking the canal

The door leads to a balcony overlooking the canal

 

Skycraper designers forgot to design elevators


It was designed as a beacon of prosperity – the Intempo Skyscraper in Benidorm. A proud building to show that the popular beach town was not affected by the crunch. In a rush of greed and over-excitedness, the design was changed from an original 20 storey building, to a 47 storey one. Too bad they didn’t redesign the elevator shafts and room for technical equipment, as the space needed for elevators serving 47 floors is now simply not available. The building however, as the images shows, is near completion.

Photo: Gizmodo / Economia – The designers of this building forgot to design elevators

What a budget of €1250 can get you in Amsterdam


Say you are an expat, or a graduate moving from a university town ready to start that new job, but you just need a home. Ideally two rooms, and in a nice are close to bars, shops and restaurant as you are not ready for the ‘burbs yet. Your budget is a mere €1250. What will that get you in Amsterdam? The city know for it’s high rents and frustrated real estate market. Here’s a closer look.

If it’s Amsterdam to the fullest you’re after and you just have to live on a canal within the 101x zip, you might like this little number on Nieuwe Herengracht. Actually, 80m2 is a pretty decent size in a town where square meters come with a price. The apartment was recently refurnished with nifty looking vintage and antiques and has a funky red fully equipped eat-in kitchen and a spacious lounge and bedroom. It even has a balcony and is in the very desirable area de Plantage, home of Artis, Amsterdam’s Zoo. The rent is €1250, but this excludes utilities. So budget at least another €100 to keep the heat and warm water running.

Amsterdam apartment for rent

Amsterdam apartment for rent

Amsterdam apartment for rent

Amsterdam apartment for rent

In another desirable part of town, the old Jewish quarter behind Waterlooplein, this charming warehouse conversion is on the market for €1250 too. Again, furnished, albeit not as swish as the previous place. However, this is a duplex apartment with an attic conversion bedroom. The building seems to share a communal waterfront space which allows for lovely pick nicks and maybe even a boat? The area is lovely with the famous thrift market Waterlooplein, all the bars and restaurants of both Nieuwmarkt and China Town and the Red Light District near by too. This is old Amsterdam for you.

Amsterdam apartment for rent

Amsterdam apartment for rent

Amsterdam apartment for rent

Amsterdam apartment for rent

Amsterdam apartment for rent

Amsterdam apartment for rent

If it’s style you’re after, don’t mind small space living, and want to be in the middle of it all, this is your place. This 30m2 two room apartment is on the top two floors of a lovely house in the Jordaan; another great area. It’s been completely revamped and looks very sleek and modern yet cosy too. It’s a bit cheaper than the other two places, but does not include utilities. It’s furnished however, and the location is quintessential Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Apartment for Rent

Amsterdam Apartment for Rent

Amsterdam Apartment for rent

Amsterdam Apartment for rent

Amsterdam Apartment for rent

Amsterdam Apartment for rent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which one would you pick?