This building on
Stadhoudskade has a classic façade in the
Amsterdamse School style. Today it is
home to the NH Amsterdam Centre Hotel but,
apparently, it was originally the Central
Building of the Amsterdam Society for Young
Men" (AMVJ). The AMVJ was the Dutch
equivalent of the American YMCA. Plans
to build a new facility for the group were
announced in 1919. The organizations
website explains that, "On May 11,
1928 the beautiful building at Leiden
Boschje near Leidseplein was ready to be
put into use. AJMV left their old
building at 10-12 Wanningstraat and
exchanged it for the Central Building.
.... the Central Building includes
housing for 120 members, 80 rooms for
accommodation, rooms for the leadership
and administration, large and small
conference rooms, reading room, music
room, rooms for various clubs, the first
local 25 meter pool, gymnasium ,
billiards room, bowling alley,
restaurant and lunchroom."
The AJMV sold the building in 1981.
The statue that occupies
the corner of the building is by Louis van der
Noordaa and is intended to suggests the New
World,