Pleijsier Hotelrenovation transforms historic building on Vondelpark into luxury boutique hotel ‘The Gentlemen’

Pleijsier Hotelrenovatie, part of Pleijsier Bouw en Onderhoud, has started the internal renovation of a monumental corner building in Amsterdam's Museum Quarter. Located directly on the Vondelpark, the 1896 building is being transformed into The Gentlemen: a luxury boutique hotel with seventeen unique rooms and its own wellness.

Honouring the 19^e-century Amsterdam

Hotel The Gentlemen is the Zandbergen family's latest concept and is located in the chic Museum Quarter, a neighbourhood that flourished around Museumplein in the late nineteenth century. With icons like the Rijksmuseum, the Concertgebouw and the Stedelijk Museum, this area became the cultural heart of the city, surrounded by a stately residential area designed by architect Pierre Cuypers. The striking corner building itself was built in 1896 as a home for wealthy Amsterdammers, such as a composer, merchants and estate agents.

During the 20th century, the building took on the function of guest house and later hotel. The combination of historic architecture, plenty of light and the view over Vondelpark gives the building a special charm. The new design restores the atmosphere of the past. The seventeen hotel rooms will have a warm, classic interior with their own theme and art objects inspired by special figures from Amsterdam's history. With this, the boutique hotel targets people who appreciate style, culture and history. The different styles of the neighbourhood's mansions ultimately inspired the hotel's name.

Principal Levi Zandbergen: “We are proud to create a boutique concept that pays homage to Amsterdam's rich history. The hotel rooms honour inspiring men and women from the period around the year 1896, translated into unique, custom-made objects. With this third chapter, after Hotel The Craftsmen and Hotel The Noblemen, we are building on our ‘Men’ collection and giving new meaning to Amsterdam's history.”

Classic and modern under one roof

For Pleijsier Hotelrenovatie, the project is a nice technical and architectural challenge. As the main contractor, the company is responsible for the complete renovation, from interior demolition to detailed finishing. The property has a floor area of around 500 square metres spread over six floors and will be given a completely new layout. In addition to the seventeen hotel rooms, a reception area, breakfast room and indoor private spa will be created in the basement.

To make the classic building meet today's stringent requirements, measures are being taken to improve fire safety and sound insulation, among other things. Thus, the entire building will receive completely new techniques and installations. Attention is also being paid to the building physics requirements of the damp rooms. Striking new elements will be the renewed curved oak main staircase and a curved glass wall between the reception and breakfast area.

Successful cooperation

Translating the ambitious design into a feasible implementation plan requires tight coordination. Pleijsier Hotelrenovatie manages a broad team of specialists, including interior designers and installers. This involves close cooperation with renowned parties, such as Kentie Architects for the architectural design, Kroeze Interieur for the wooden wall finishes and Jan Schrijver for help with the creative design of the rooms.

Project manager Wycher Naberman on the project: “This assignment is special for Pleijsier because of the combination of character and technology. The hotel rooms are all uniquely designed, with great attention to classic details and finishes, while behind the scenes modern installations provide today's comfort.”

The Gentlemen is expected to open its doors in autumn 2026.