Verzekeringskantoor, Herengracht 260

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 built in 1917-1919. The commission for construction was granted by the N.V. Amsterdamsche Mij. van Levensverzekering De Nederlandsche Lloyd, dating from 1854. Designed in a historicising manner by the architects' firm Gebr. van Gendt A.L.zn., in order to connect with the historic canal-side facade despite the larger scale. Further involved in the construction was the Amsterdamsche Fabriek van cementijzer-werken "Wittenburg" (Monier System).

N.B. During a renovation in 1928, a vault was built on the piano nobile by the N.V. Mij. tot het aannemen en uitvoeren van bouwwerken v/h E.H. Helle. Various later renovations.

Description

An office building designed on a rectangular ground plan with six storeys beneath a hipped roof, covered with right-laid corrugated Dutch tiles. On the corners of the ridge line two masonried chimneys placed as riders with natural stone band and terminal. The front facade is constructed from a rustica zone (basement and principal storey) of blocks of different types of sandstone with natural stone plinth; further brick. Strongly horizontally and vertically articulated facade with two corner risalits set in blocked corner mouldings. At basement level on the right side a simple entrance arrangement with door in slightly projecting natural stone frame with keystones and blocked ornament. To the left of this three windows with double casements with glazing bars set in continuous natural stone mouldings. On the left side the principal entrance arrangement predominantly in natural stone. Double recent door in ogive-shaped frame with keystones and mouldings. Balcony on two roll-shaped consoles with scales and pearls; simple slab on which parapet with simple balustrade with straight posts and solid parts with empty coat of arms in the midst of oak leaves. Railing with moulding. On either side pilaster with ornamented capital and festoon. Double opening balcony doors in ogive-shaped frame. Band and moulding work. Keystone and band with floral decoration. Part of the cordon moulding which closes the lower part of the facade. Above this segmental pediment with floral filling of the tympanum, as well as a pair of mascarons. Centrally a large coat of arms with winged snakes, staff and the initials NL (Nederlandsche Lloyd). Roll and band work.

Further at the level of the principal storey four windows with cross windows and glazing bars. Accentuated frame, lower sill and worked keystones. Closing cordon moulding. Above this the remaining facade surface. On the storeys each five windows, one per risalit, three in the central section. Windows with cross windows with casements and glazing bars. Natural stone frame and lower sill and cornice. The windows of the upper storey do not have that cornice. Facade is terminated by simple architrave, frieze with text 'ANNO 1918' and cornice with blocks. Balustrade with open and solid parts. Left and right the windows of the dormer windows. Windows with double casements with back glazing bar division. Natural stone frame with moulding. Segmental pediment with floral decoration and banderol. On either side a volute.

Rear facade shows very regular window distribution.

Valuation

Office building of general significance because of its architectural and cultural-historical value, connected with the establishment of insurance and banking offices in the city centre, in particular on the major canal belt. Of further significance is the attempted integration into the historic townscape.