Bankgebouw, Herengracht 201

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Introduction

An OFFICE BUILDING constructed in 1917-1919. The commission was granted by N.V. Kantoorgebouw Herengracht 197, established in 1914, a subsidiary of the banking firm Vermeer & Co., the first occupant of the office. The property located on the Herengracht, on the southern corner with the Driekoningenstraat, was designed by architect F.W.M. Poggenbeek. The existing buildings, including the office of seed merchant Sluis & Co., were demolished for this purpose. Designed in a style related to the so-called Reorientation to traditional building methods, classicist movement. The cement-ironwork was executed by N.V. Nederlandse Betonijzerbouw.

Description

Office building designed on a rectangular ground plan consisting of four storeys under a truncated hipped roof covered with blue slate in Dutch bond with on the four corners a masonry chimney with smoke holes, cover plate and masonry accents. On the southern roof slope another such chimney in broader execution. Zinc protection of rafters and ridges. Short and accentuated facade on the Herengracht side; longer facade on the Driekoningenstraat side. The symmetrical facades are constructed from a natural stone plinth as rustication zone (ground floor) further predominantly in Flemish bond red-brown brick. On both the northern and western roof slopes a pair of identical roof dormers. Dormer with double casement window set in masonry elements and natural stone constructive accents, the latticing and the cornice and the coping on the spout are also of natural stone. On the sides a wooden cornice. Roof covered with blue slate in Dutch bond.

On the ground floor on both the Herengracht and the Driekoningenstraat a rustication zone constructed from polished and roughly dressed natural stone. On the Driekoningenstraat windows with grillwork and sloped lower sill and a simple entrance door. On the Herengracht side a small stoop with double wooden panelled door with lights and grillwork. Bevelled edges of the natural stone blocks. On the corners a semicircular protrusion of the blocks reveals the presence of the rainwater drainage pipes situated behind. At the Herengracht side four natural stone consoles of the wide oriel of the principal floor. Natural stone string course. Shallow but wide oriel, almost entirely constructed from natural stone. Brick only incorporated on the short sides. Five T-windows placed side by side. Natural stone mullions and sill. On the upper side a balustrade of the balcony of the further floor. This symmetrical openwork balustrade also consists of natural stone. On that floor series of five T-windows with natural stone lintel and corbels. Above series of five smaller windows with double casement windows. Continuous natural stone lintel and accents. The facade on the Driekoningenstraat side is six bays wide and has window forms identical to the Herengracht facade.

Facade termination shows brickwork bandwork and stepped transition to a zone with natural stone profiled consoles of the simple wooden gutter cornice. On the corners an animal figure as 'water spout'. Below the channelled pipes of the rainwater drainage.

Valuation

Office building of general importance for its architectural historical value. Further important for its character-defining urban situation and its well-preserved facades.