Spacious houseboat with panoramic water views on KNSM Island

The property is a houseboat named Lytse Prins, which translates from Frisian as Little Prince, located on Levantkade in the KNSM Island area of Amsterdam. The Eastern Docklands district was developed around the turn of the millennium into a highly regarded residential area, featuring work by prominent European and Dutch architects. The combination of striking modern architecture with historic inland vessels along the quays forms the main attraction of this neighborhood.

The Lytse Prins is situated at the sunny Levantkade as the last vessel in a long row of ships. The quay here opens up into a car-free square where residents enjoy unobstructed views over the water towards the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal and the IJ. The ship was originally built in 1914 and was completely renovated in 2008 at the SRF shipyard in Harlingen, with careful attention to preserving its historical details while working under architectural supervision.

Despite the peaceful location of the mooring spot, the area offers plenty of activity and conviviality nearby. Further along the quay are restaurants with festive waterside terraces and various swimming platforms. The diverse shopping options also make the neighborhood attractive. Via the connecting dam, one can reach the Brazilië shopping center in minutes, and just a few minutes further one arrives at the popular Czaar Peterstraat with its many unique shops, as well as the Indische Buurt with its rich multicultural selection of bakeries, greengrocers, restaurants, and a cinema. The cultural and culinary venues in the emerging Amsterdam-North area are easily accessible by ferry from KNSM, while Central Station and the city center are only an eight-minute bike ride away.

Access to the vessel is via the attractively planted quay and gangway. Upon boarding, one walks along the side deck towards the terrace. There are two ways to enter: in summer via the terrace and the opened hatch leading to the kitchen, or via the front door further along, which provides access to a modest entrance hall with closets and a coat area. From there, one can descend a few steps to the kitchen or climb up to the wheelhouse, which now serves as a writing and thinking space.

Entering through the terrace brings one directly into the very spacious kitchen, equipped with SMEG built-in appliances. The sliding windows all around make this space particularly bright. There is even a small built-in bench from which to enjoy the view over the water.

A staircase leads down to the hold of the ship, where on the left are the guest toilet and technical room, and on the right a passage with a bench and bookcases leads to the living room. This very large room of approximately 70 square meters is full of light thanks to the many skylights, which may be surprising in a ship. It features a fireplace, various built-in closets, and authentic round portholes offering views of the water just above the surface, creating a direct connection with the water.

The main bedroom is located on the east side and also features large portholes and built-in drawers. It can be reached in two ways: through a hidden door in the passage and through a sliding door from the living room.

From the bedroom, one enters a nicely designed corridor with various built-in closets, a washing machine and dryer, leading to the bathroom. This bathroom represents a notable achievement in interior construction and is described as the pride of the current residents. They succeeded in incorporating all desired functions in this space without compromising the authentic shapes of the stern of the ship. The space appears minimal but contains a spa and wellness area. The steam cabin and Turkish bath with two benches, rain shower, and four massage showers are concealed beneath the kitchen floor and technically accessible via the technical room. The towel radiator is heated, and the bathroom also has additional wall heating. Additionally, there is a private toilet, a double vanity, and a built-in closet.

On this level there is also a spacious workshop with water and drainage connections, which could also serve as a bedroom or home office. The entire ship has a poured floor with underfloor heating.

The forepeak contains a separate studio with a living and sleeping area, a pantry, a bathroom with toilet and shower, a walk-in closet, and two more spacious storage areas totaling 14 cubic meters. The studio has its own entrance via the foredeck, but in the sound-insulated dividing wall with the large living room, there is still the sliding door that once connected the forepeak directly with the aft section during the 2008 renovation.

On deck, residents have a terrace with a unique view and a swimming ladder. The ship is heated by a heat pump that was replaced in 2022, is highly insulated, and has a solid and sleek finish. All technical installations have been elegantly concealed.

The ship has a steel hull with a steel and wood superstructure. It measures approximately 37.52 by 6.29 meters. The annual mooring fee for 2025 is 3,422 euros. The energy label is A+, and the property has full insulation. Utilities include electricity at 230 and 380 volts, water, gas, telephone, cable TV, and internet. The hull dates from approximately 1914, while the interior was completed in 2008 by SRF in Harlingen.

The living area is 184 square meters with a volume of 791 cubic meters. The property has four rooms including three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and one separate toilet. The property spans two living levels plus a cellar. Parking in the area consists of paid parking and parking permits.

It should be noted that a houseboat is considered movable property under Dutch law, meaning the three-day cooling-off period does not apply and a verbal agreement is binding. Since January 1, 2022, the purchase protection law has been in effect, which means municipalities can impose an owner-occupancy requirement upon purchase.