Winkel (G2), Koningsplein 11

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

A SHOP and OFFICE BUILDING erected in 1911. Built by order of 'De Naamlooze Vennootschap De Nationale Levensverzekerings-Bank'. Designed by Gebr. van Gendt A.L.zn. Built in the style of the so-called Reorientation towards traditional building methods.

NB. In 1935 a renovation was carried out by architects from the office Gebr. van Gendt A.L.zn., specifically Theodor Nager and W.J. Klok, by order of 'Die Schweizerische Bundesbahnen' - the travel agency on the ground floor - and the 'Nationale Levensverzekerings-Bank N.V.' The shop window and the frontage at the entrance and a street shutter were altered. Glazing bars and part of the entrance frontage were executed in bronze. A natural stone surround of polished red Swedish granite 'like the existing lower part' was added. The basement, ground floor and first floor were also altered. The use remained shop and office building. On the ground floor there was then a quarter-round counter behind the vestibule.

Description

A shop and office building erected on an irregular quadrilateral ground plan with five storeys: basement, ground floor and three storeys under a roof. The roof, by virtue of the presence of two substantial gable ends, may be regarded as virtually a full storey. Facades are constructed primarily of red-brown brick laid in running bond and of natural and hard stone. The whole is covered by a composite roof with slate or shingles in standard bond. The top of the gables is flat or truncated. Ridge ribs reinforced with zinc. The facade on the Koningsplein is considered the right part, the facade on the Reguliersdwarsstraat as the left part. On the ground floor at the far left the main entrance to the upper office floors. Executed almost entirely in red granite with a frame in which the central entrance door with oval light. Door in a porch with light moulding. Small stoop with two steps. Sidelights with light moulding. Series of five fanlights with semi-circular spandrels. Below a dark drip moulding a series of five round ornaments. The rest of the facade is taken up by the shop frontage. To the left and right of the frontage a wall pier of stacked blocks of natural stone, closed off with a short moulded cornice. Broad natural stone upper lintel of the frontage consisting of a quarter-round transition with triangular accents, projecting drip moulding and unworked frieze. On the first floor at the far left a window with sash and square fanlight. Natural stone lower and upper lintels and mullion. To the right of this a double window in similar execution, now also with natural stone mullions. On either side of the canted facade part a series of four coupled windows in similar execution. On the canted part a double window in similar execution. Natural stone frieze above the two series of four windows and above the canted facade part. On the second floor an identical construction and arrangement. The canted facade part is further set back and has a slight three-sided projection with a single window with sash and fanlight. Natural stone lower and upper lintels, mullion and side posts. The setting back of the canted part created a narrow side wall at the side of the series of four windows. In the lower corner, on either side of the window of the canted part, sculptural stonework consisting of a natural stone frame in which a dragon with coat of arms. Above the series of four windows a concave projecting frieze with round ornaments and natural stone coping. Above the canted part a geometrically worked frieze with moulding and recess.

At the level of the third floor similar window arrangement and construction and execution. Above the series with four windows a slightly projecting moulded cornice with flat consoles. Above the window of the canted facade part a similar cornice with natural stone corner stones and triangular accent in the middle. Above the windows of the left facade part a metal hoist beam with hook. Above this the straight facade termination of this facade part. Relieving arch frieze with segment arches and mortared corbels. Natural stone consoles above which a gutter cornice. Mortared flanking as closure towards the plain side facade. To the left and right of the canted facade part termination in a spout gable. In both gable tops a three-fold divided window with natural stone lower and upper lintels and natural stone posts. Windows with eighteen-pane glazing bars. Projecting cornice with flat consoles. In the left gable top a stone tablet with scrollwork and date '1853'. In the right gable top stone tablet with scrollwork and date '1911'. Cornice of both gable tops, including transition to the other facade parts, the inswing, the spout and the segment-shaped hood, is capped with natural stone cornice. In the segment-shaped hood a fanned-out geometric motif. Above the window of the third floor of the canted facade part two spherical supports of a coping plate on which a three-sided mortared post. On these posts a broad profiled natural stone console. On this stands a free-standing sculpture depicting a person in armour, banner and reclining lion.

Valuation

Shop and office building of general importance due to its architectural and cultural-historical value. Furthermore of situational value as a strongly image-defining element on a corner of the Koningsplein. The facade has been well preserved.