








Unique Double Ground-Floor Apartment with Historical Character in Amsterdam Canal District
Key Features
Description
Situated on the historic Nicolaas Witsenkade along the Singelgracht, this exceptional double ground-floor apartment offers a rare combination of historical character and modern living comfort. The property spans 191 square meters across two levels and is located in a building that once served as the headquarters of the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA), known as 'De Roode Roos'. The building was transformed into residential apartments at the end of the nineteenth century by architect Richard Groenendaal, whose design reflects the distinctive features of the Neo style, drawing inspiration from classicism, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture.
The exterior presents a monumental brick facade embellished with natural stone cassettes and decorative ornaments. A solid oak entrance door welcomes residents into the architect-designed interior. The south and west-facing facades ensure abundant natural light fills the living spaces from early afternoon until sunset, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere throughout the home.
The apartment is spread across the elevated ground floor (bel-etage) and the lower ground floor (souterrain). Upon entering, a spacious hallway connects the various living, working, and entertaining areas. The hallway provides access to a home office, living and garden rooms, a guest toilet, a first bathroom, and a separate laundry space. The hallway features original Winckelmans tiles from Intercodam, adding an authentic historical touch to the interior.
At the front of the apartment, the grand living room features ceiling heights exceeding four meters, stretching across the full width of the bel-etage. The space is enhanced by a stylish gas fireplace designed by Boley and five tall windows offering views over the Singelgracht. A mezzanine level has been incorporated into this space, currently arranged as a second workspace, adding to the functional versatility of the room. The impressive ceiling height continues throughout the entire bel-etage, reinforcing the sense of space and grandeur.
At the rear of the bel-etage, a flexible space currently serves as an office but can be easily converted into a third bedroom. French doors from both the rear living room and the office open directly onto a landscaped garden measuring approximately 44 square meters. The garden is positioned to the northeast, providing gentle morning sun. The outdoor space extends the living area during warmer months and offers a private retreat in the heart of the city.
The lower ground floor accommodates two spacious bedrooms, one of which includes a walk-in wardrobe. The luxurious bathroom on this level features an original terrazzo floor, a bathtub, and a walk-in shower. Throughout the souterrain, warm walnut-toned flooring contributes to the sophisticated and elegant finish. Underfloor heating ensures comfort on this level, and a generous storage room provides practical space for household items.
The property has been thoroughly renovated with high-quality materials while respecting its historical character. Double glazing has been installed throughout, and the building features full insulation. The energy label is rated B, indicating reasonable energy efficiency for a building of this age and character. Heating is provided by a Nefit Topline Compact HRC30 gas combination boiler installed in 2014, which is included in the purchase.
The apartment holds freehold title (volle eigendom), meaning there is no ground lease (erfpacht) to consider. The Homeowners' Association (VvE) is financially healthy and active, with professional property management in place. The monthly VvE contribution is 355 euros. The VvE maintains proper documentation including a maintenance plan and reserve fund, and the building is covered by buildings insurance. A communal indoor bicycle storage facility is available for residents.
The location along the Nicolaas Witsenkade places the property directly on the Singelgracht at the edge of the Amsterdam canal belt. The Den Tex neighbourhood offers a peaceful setting in one of the city centre's most characterful areas. The picturesque Reguliersgracht and Amstelveld are within comfortable walking distance, as are the recently renovated Nederlandsche Bank building, the Museum Quarter, De Pijp district, and the vibrant Utrechtsestraat known for its boutiques, specialty stores, and cafes.
Public transport connections are excellent. The North/South metro line station at Vijzelgracht is approximately a two-minute walk away, providing direct links to Amsterdam Central Station and Zuid/WTC Station. For motorists, the A10 ring road is accessible via the Stadhouderskade and Wibautstraat. Parking is available on the Nicolaas Witsenkade, and residents can obtain a permit for the underground parking garage at Vijzelgracht.
The building dates from before 1906 and is classified as both a protected cityscape and a monumental building. This status preserves the architectural heritage of the property while allowing for comfortable modern living. The total building volume is 775 cubic meters, and there is 13 square meters of building-related outdoor space in addition to the private garden.
The asking price for this unique property is 2,295,000 euros, subject to buyer's costs (kosten koper). This translates to approximately 12,016 euros per square meter of living space. The handover date can be arranged by mutual agreement between buyer and seller.
This double ground-floor apartment represents a distinctive opportunity to own a piece of Amsterdam's political and architectural history while enjoying the comforts of contemporary urban living. The combination of monumental facades, impressive ceiling heights, quality finishes, and a prime central location makes this property particularly noteworthy in the Amsterdam real estate market.

