Kantoorgebouw, Utrechtsestraat 2

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 erected in 1891-1892. Initially built on commission of 'De Eerste Nederlandsche Verzekeringsmaatschappij'. Built at the corner of Utrechtsestraat and Rembrandtplein. Designed by the firm J. Kok and A. van Ameijde van Duijm. The dormer in the roof slope on the Rembrandtplein side is of more recent date.

N.B. In 1926 remodelled on commission of the N.V. 't Modehuis v/h H Simons by architect J. van Schaik. Many later alterations. From 1919 in use by De Doofpot. Nowadays City-hotel and Café The Old Bell.

Description

An office building erected on a rectangular ground plan. Five storeys can be distinguished on the facades: a ground floor, three upper storeys and an attic storey. Facades are constructed of laid light red brick with alternating use of natural stone. The building is enclosed by a roof consisting of sloping hipped slopes followed by a flat roof. The slopes are covered with shingles. The transition to the flat section shows a broad overhang. On the roof slope on the Rembrandtplein side (north side) is located the recent dormer. On the roof slope on the Utrechtsestraat side (east side) is another small dormer with an unglazed window; further an overhang, inswept roof slopes and a ridge finial. At ground floor level is the plinth with ventilation grilles of the basement storey. Further conspicuous use of natural stone on the piers between the windows. The undersides of the windows are partly blocked and partly glazed and filled with leaded light or window glass. On the blocked upper side of the large window openings are now figurative panels. On the left side of the east facade a broad double entrance unit with doors and large fanlights. In the chamfered section on the transition between the east and the north facades is located the central entrance. Entrance door with fanlight with a copper bell in a bracket. Above it a sandstone conch-shaped console of the base plate for the overhanging bay window above. The natural stone piers have a broader plinth and a recessed 'shaft' with chiselled corners. Projecting natural stone cornice with moulding. At the level of the first and second storeys the east and north facades show similar construction. At the level of the first storey on the east facade three window openings, on the north facade two such window openings. Such a window opening consists of a double window, set back and with lower and upper sill. The moulded and graded natural stone frame also encompasses the window openings of the second storey. The window openings on the first storey have a natural stone mullion. This post is worked and shows a small colonette. Above the natural stone and moulded string two paired panels with banding, spandrels and coat of arms with floral decoration in a semi-circular segment. Windows with sash frames. Masonry facade sections built up predominantly of light red brick laid in a cross bond. The masonry facade sections show all the brickwork courses. The slightly lower windows at the level of the second storey are comparable to those of the first storey. The worked panels above the string are absent. On the piers between and on either side of the windows are masonry colonettes with moulding and brickwork courses. These colonettes rest on a worked natural stone console at the level of the frieze above the windows of the first storey. The chamfered facade section at the corner of the east and north facades shows a bay window extending over two storeys. This bay window rests on the said base plate. The three-sided projecting bay window shows a narrow natural stone plinth and a masonry plinth and further natural stone construction. At the level of the first storey on three sides a window with a casement window and fanlight above the string. Moulded mullions and stiles. Between the storeys a natural stone decorative frieze with sculpted ornaments and an inscribed stone with the date '1919'. Above this a similar tripartite window unit, also closed off by a slender decorative frieze. Above this a three-sided and open-worked natural stone balustrade with ornamental wrought-iron railings.

Behind this a small balcony to which a simple door on the third storey provides access. Above the string a semi-circular worked archivolt. Masonry course, natural stone corner stones and keystone. Above this an ornamentally treated three-sided bell-shaped form. Undersides rendered and resting on corbels. Covered with slate. Above this a stepped gable with four steps. Slender crest with ornament. The north facade shows at the level of the third storey two multiple window units. A very narrow continuous balcony precedes these units. Natural stone balcony with balusters, posts, ornamental wrought-iron railings and resting on worked consoles of varying size. Between and on either side of the multiply-glazed window units a natural stone partition with moulding, working and sloping upper side. Between these the window units. These have three opening French windows. Half-columns with Ionic capitals as dividing posts. Broad moulded string above which three fanlights. Masonry posts and natural stone corner stones. The frieze under the broadly projecting wooden gutter moulding shows a series of cassettes or metopes with figurative and decorative representations. Between these slender masonry colonettes on natural stone consoles; these colonettes support the projecting 'beam heads' or consoles of the gutter moulding. The east facade shows at the level of the third storey three of such multiply-glazed window units. The gutter moulding is interrupted on the left side of the facade by the tall stepped gable with eight steps. The said frieze with cassettes and metopes also finds a place in the lower zone of the stepped gable. Further construction consists of the light red laid brick and the alternating use of natural stone in the brickwork courses and other detailing. Masonry colonettes lead to the natural stone coping stones of the steps. Recessed set-back spare sections. Two centrally placed windows with sash frame and natural stone sill. In the middle the multiply-worked console of the central colonette. The facade termination on the south side and the west side also features a rudimentary stepped gable.

Valuation

Office building of general importance on account of its architectural-historical value. The object has particular significance on account of its location, on account of the architectural integrity and on account of its relationship with the visual integrity of the urban environment.