Once housing the bridge keepers in charge of opening and closing bridges for boat traffic on the canals of Amsterdam, the city’s many bridge houses are tiny structures perched on the waterside—iconic architectural monuments that have remained disused for decades following the arrival of a centralised control system. Until now; those icons recently converted into SWEETS hotel, a true one-of-a-kind with its high-design rooms spread out across the Dutch capital.
The concept—an inspired initiative between Space&Matter, an architectural practice known for transforming polluted land into an eco-space for creative enterprises called De Ceuvel, and the team behind Hotel The Exchange—sees the ongoing transformation of 28 houses into hotel suites (15 of which are currently complete), the perfect crash pad for two, with comfortable beds and killer canal views.
Located across the city, each bridge house has been transformed into an independent hotel suite, SWEETS hotel striving to introduce travellers to new neighbourhoods and unexpected experiences throughout the famous city. The addition of bridge house 206, Amstelschutsluis, offers an unrivalled experience on the river Amstel in the heart of the city. A bridge dating back to 1673, views of the well-known ‘Skinny Bridge’—reachable only by boat—are yours alongside a fully equipped kitchen (not readily available in the other suites) and the inclusion of four trips with SWEETS’ captain. Sail the landmarks, to dinner, the neighbouring ‘hood … the choice is yours.
Combining industrial heritage with modern initiatives, these once redundant tiny buildings have been lovingly restored ready for curious folk to spend a night and fall deeply in love with everything they have to offer. And what they lack in size, they certainly make up for in style, the SWEETS team equalling the radical concept of the cross-city hotel with equally radical design details, colour palettes and amalgams of vintage and contemporary furnishings. A hotel project without parallel, and one to watch as they continue to reimagine these unique structures.
Photography, Mirjam Bleeker / courtesy SWEETS hotel Amsterdam
