Sustainable and social implementation of a national monument.

The Tram Plan Development Agency, better known as ‘De Hallen’ is a finished and famous development project in Amsterdam. It is housed in a former tram depot of the Municipal Transport Company and is hidden in the center of the Old-West. The monumental value and accessibility are maintained thanks to Hoen.

History of the Market

The first Urban Plan for the development of De Hallen drawn up in December 2002 was not feasible. The new interested Foundation Cultural Capital Amsterdam / Burgfonds wanted to develop a new cultural entertainment center and concluded in 2007 an agreement with the district. But this plan was not realized because of financial shortcomings.

National monument

De Hallen is a large tram depot of approximately 16,000sqm of the early twentieth century and stands as an important industrial monument on the rich list of protected monuments. This is due to its rarity, architectural and cultural history, and from the perspective of the history of public transport. Its preservation is of primary importance. De Hallen is also an endangered monument.

Involvement of local resident

Since 1996 the building was in a deteriorating condition. That is because of the excessive maintenance. The urgency to invest in the building was therefore increasing. The board of Amsterdam Old-West gave permission for a new planning after the construction agreement with Burgfonds was disbanded in 2010. Here she has attached great importance to the involvement of the neighborhood. A sustainable and social implementation, including a cinema, hotel and many nice restaurants is the final result.