Oud Leyerhoven

English translation

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Description

Introduction

In 1884 on the corner of the Tesselschadestraat/Vondelstraat near the Vondelpark, a CITY VILLA was built, named 'Oud Leyerhoven' and designed by Jos Th.J. Cuypers, son of P.J.H. Cuypers, on commission, as his first work, in eclectic architectural style incorporating among other things influences from Italian architecture.

N.B. P.J.H. Cuypers' request for granting of a building permit was based on a modification according to submitted drawings of an earlier (1882) granted building permit for one villa on the Vondelstraat and four residential houses on the Tesselschadestraat. The villa served as a residential home for the client for a number of years and was later inhabited by Jos Cuypers. In 1906, on the instructions of P.J.H. Cuypers, eight water closets were installed. In 1922, on the instructions of the 'Maatschappij tot Exploitatie en Administratie van Vakvereenigingsgebouwen', the villa was converted into offices with a caretaker's residence by architect L. van der Veen. In the same year, an internal conversion took place on the first floor in the NW part, whereby a meeting room was added. By B. van Wamelen the chimney was modified. Furthermore later conversions.

Object description

A villa built in red and yellow brick on a rectangular ground plan with basement, ground floor, bel-étage, second and third storeys under a combined roof structure. The three facades visible from the street side show much similarity in articulation, composition and detailing. Horizontal articulation through speckled courses built in yellow brick and through cordon and facade lines. Vertical articulation through continuous oriel windows and symmetrical window axes. On both sides of the corner Tesselschadestraat/Vondelstraat, close together, each a three-sided oriel window over three storeys. Furthermore in the middle of the facade on the Vondelstraat and at the NW corner each a multi-sided oriel window over three storeys, all on narrow and strongly profiled consoles. The ground floor has access on the Tesselschadestraat and furthermore narrow two-light windows and four-light sash windows. On the side of the Vondelstraat, beneath the diagonally placed oriel window, there is a console of natural stone. On the side of the Tesselschadestraat a balcony on less prominent consoles. Furthermore ashlar strips and a dentil course. Running cordon line with profile band and decorative tilework.

The first floor has above the sash windows round-arch spandrels with decorative tilework and central ventilation grille. Small balcony on the side of the Tesselschadestraat with ornamental ironwork. Furthermore wall anchors and decorative brickwork.

The second floor contains a broad frieze with two-dimensional dentil courses in brick. Corresponding window groups and decoration. Tile panel in rectangular oriel window.

The entire top storey consists of a timber-framed construction of wooden posts and rails, between which all closed surfaces are clad with tiles. Sgraffito tile panels by the factory 'Villeroy & Boch', including among others representations of 'the Muses'. Striking is the rectangular tower structure on the corner of the Tesselschade- and the Vondelstraat. The rectangular oriel window on the Vondelstraat has a blunt pointed gable with wooden gutter line and boarding. The corner oriel window has a tent roof covered gazebo-like outlook post as an extra storey. Wooden railings and boarding. Furthermore wide overhangs with lightly profiled gutter line and worked wooden corbels. On the roof hips small roof dormers.

Appraisal

Richly detailed eclectic villa of general importance because of its architectural, artistic and cultural-historical value, also because of the special sgraffito tile panels by 'Villeroy & Boch' and the connection with the work of P.J.H. and J.Th.J. Cuypers. Of typological importance because of the grand scale of a late nineteenth-century city villa entirely intended for residential use. Also of urban design importance because of its location near the Vondelpark and the development of Vondel- and Tesselschadestraat initiated by P.J.H. Cuypers, for which he designed the urban design plan.