From the water
Originally this was the headquarters of six leading Amsterdam shipping companies: the Netherlands Steamship Company, the Royal Packet Navigation Company, the Java China Japan Line, the Royal Dutch Steamboat Company, the New Rhine Navigation Company, and the Royal West India Mail Service. Currently it is a five star hotel. Several features of the building are particularly noteworthy: the richly decorated central staircase, the boardroom on the floors at the corner of the Prins Hendrikkade and the Binnenkant, and the large meeting room on the third floor.
The story behind it
Built between 1913 and 1928, the Shipping House is considered the first true building of the Amsterdam School, an architectural style known for its expressive brickwork, sculpted details and wrought iron.
Six shipping companies shared the building, and the decorations everywhere tell the story of seafaring: sea gods, compasses, ships and exotic destinations. Today it is a luxury hotel where you can still admire the grand staircase.
On your cruise
This is stop 7 of 23 on the Friendship route. Before this you passed Weeper's Tower, and the boat continues towards NEMO Science Museum. Your skipper will point it out as you pass — keep your camera ready, because from the water you see details that are easily missed from the street.
Want to see it in person? All our cruises follow the heart of this route, and with a private cruise you can even ask your skipper to linger a little longer at your favourite spots.
