ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

HOTEL CAFÉ RESTAURANT AMERICAN

W. KROMHOUT CZN., H. G. JANSEN, 1898-1902, Leidseplein 28, Amsterdam

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Willem Kromhout Czn.

EXTENSION:
Gerrit Jan Rutgers

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Herman Gerard Jansen

ARTIST:
Willem Kromhout Czn.
Bert Nienhuis

BUILDING TYPE:
Hotels, cafés, restaurants

STATE:
G.J. Rutgers (uitbr. 1928)

The famous American Hotel is also a bar-restaurant and party centre, with all three functions individually expressed in the facade. A horizontal loggia connects the curvilinear coffee hall with the soaring hotel facades emphasized at the corner by a tower. Decorations are playful and imaginative. Semi-abstract and full of references to other styles, its architecture forges a link between Art Nouveau and the Amsterdam School. G.J. Rutgers' extension of 1928 sticks closely to the original style.