Impressive numbers
The building stands 90 metres tall. In the end, that is a good 55 metres shorter than the design was originally allowed to be. The 318 homes are spread over 26 floors. Beneath the building is a car park where, besides residents of the Pontsteiger itself, local residents with a parking permit can park too.
From timber to housing
The Houthavens (Timber Docks), where the Pontsteiger stands, have a rich history. In 1876 the first excavated harbour of Amsterdam was built here, specifically for the transshipment of timber from Scandinavia, Africa and Asia, among other places. Over the course of the 20th century the area lost its harbour function and slowly transformed into a residential district.
A neighbourhood with character
Today's Houthavens consist of seven car-free peninsulas, each with its own architectural character. The street names and bridges refer to the area's history of timber trading. With around 2,700 homes, a range of amenities and business premises, it has become a lively and sustainable neighbourhood.
Interested in a home?
Living in this icon is still possible, because there is plenty for sale, but you will have to dig deep into your pockets. When we wrote this article, the most expensive apartment was 7.2 million euros (it has since been taken off Funda, the Dutch property site). But in return you get a magnificent view!
Size matters
The Pontsteiger building is not the tallest building in Amsterdam. That title belongs to the Rembrandttoren, built in the early 1990s. At 150 metres, this building has not been overtaken in the past 30 years. Nationally, Amsterdam does not score all that impressively; Rotterdam, for instance, collects height records by the dozen.
