SWEETS Hotel Transforms Traditional Bridge House into Independent Suites – A Floating Experience on the Canals

SWEETS is a new hotel featuring 28 independent bridge houses in Amsterdam. These houses were built between 1673 and 2009, with diverse styles all built along Amsterdam's canals. Due to the centralized control of bridges, the bridge houses no longer served as workspaces for local bridge administrators. SWEETS Group then transformed them into independent hotel suites with unique interiors and various architectural historical styles.

▼Built over canals, the bridge houses © SWEETS hotel

▼The shape of the bridge houses vary © SWEETS hotel

Amsterdam's bridge houses

For centuries, Amsterdam's bridge houses accommodated numerous city bridges used to control water traffic through open bridges. These houses with a long history and different architectural styles showcased the city's development and reflected the perspectives of people at the time. Many bridges and bridge houses were designed by famous Dutch architects such as Hendrik Petrus Berlage and Pieter Lodewijk Kramer.

▼Bridge houses with a long history and different architectural styles © SWEETS hotel

▼Near the bridge house, pedestrians and vehicles come and go © SWEETS hotel

Industrial heritage reuse

In 2012, the Amsterdam municipality reclaimed and centralized control of the bridges, causing the bridge houses to lose their original purpose. The appearance of SWEETS Hotel injected new vitality into this industrial heritage site. These houses, about 10 square meters in size, were not initially designed for people to stay and sleep in, but after renovation, the double-person suites are uniformly equipped with showers, bathrooms, and pantries. The two-bridge suites are equipped with kitchens. 28 bridge houses previously possessed functions and were located in a special location, allowing all guests to view the magnificent view of Amsterdam's canals.

▼Exterior views of the project © SWEETS hotel

▼Rooms with a great view © SWEETS hotel

▼Full view of the river © SWEETS hotel

Picnic design

The interior design team of SWEETS Hotel studied the architectural history of each independent bridge house while respecting the original architecture. In the 'Design Roundtable', the team discussed and decided together with all relevant partners to retain or modify the design elements. For example, in the renovation of the bridge house Amstelschutsluis, which was built in 1673, the design team discovered and preserved some valuable historical relics in the building. The research group also paid special attention to the traditions, materials, and color schemes of Dutch architecture in the 17th century in order to make the hotel design relatively balanced. The bridge house 'Hortusbrug' is a 'De Stijl' style landmark building. The inspiration for the interior design comes from the famous Dutch architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld, and the design team innovatively introduced some typical Rietveld elements while respecting the master's original works.

▼Interior space with unique design style © SWEETS hotel

▼Interior space with emerald green as the fundamental color © SWEETS hotel

▼Living space where medieval Dutch tradition and modern design elements blend © SWEETS hotel

Exploring different neighbourhoods

The city of Amsterdam is SWEETS hotel's lobby: with the self-composed Neighbourhood Guide on the electronic tablet in every bridge house, SWEETS hotel encourages guests to explore the neighbourhood and discover different sides of Amsterdam, mostly outside the crowded city centre. With the guide, SWEETS hotel stimulates local businesses in many different areas of the city.

▼View to the outside © SWEETS hotel

▼The surroundings © SWEETS hotel

▼the surroundings © SWEETS hotel