News of: Sunday, February 20 2005,
Today is the first day that the new Bimhuis stages performances in their new building along the IJ (the water behind the Central Station).
The Bimhuis is the Netherlands' most important centre for jazz and improvised music. Its building at the Oudeschans in the Nieuwmarkt area, which is a residential area, had to be vacated because of new noise regulations.
The new Bimhuis now resides in the new music building just East of the Central Station, along the IJ, the water behind the Central Station. The Bimhuis shares the building with the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ (website in Dutch), which used to be the Ysbreker theatre. The Ysbreker has also moved away from its old location along the river Amstel.
Although it is really one large building, Bimhuis and Muziekgebouw will each have their own entrance to the building (and their own address), in order to maintain their own atmosphere.
Once inside the building you can freely move between the 2 theatres.
The new building is a grand structure, with a beautiful view over the water behind the Central Station. It provides more space and better facilities for performers and the audience.
The opening of the building is a further step in the development of the so-called IJ-axis, an ambitious urban regeneration area.
Just east of the Central Station are now the Nemo technology museum, the Maritime Museum, the new Music building and the Passengers Terminal Amsterdam (where the large cruiseships moor).
Under development are the Oosterdok Island (where the new Public Library of Amsterdam and the Music Conservatory will move) and a new Mövenpick Hotel, next to the Passengers Terminal.
For the next few years (at least) the Stedelijk Museum is also located just East of the Central Station, on the Oosterdok Island.
Together with the new residential area development of Java Island and KNSM Island (a.k.a. the Eastern Docklands, with interesting modern architecture), it is likely that this part of Eastern Amsterdam will soon become a new attraction for visitors.
Tip: to get a good view of the area, you might visit the restaurant on the 11th floor of the current location of the Stedelijk Museum (you don't need to visit the museum to get access to the restaurant).
