The Hamerstraatgebied on the fringes of the IJ is an industrial estate forming part of Nieuwendammerham and is developing virtually independently. It is one of the oldest industrial estates in Amsterdam-Noord.
The Hamerstraatgebied on the fringes of the IJ is an industrial estate forming part of Nieuwendammerham and is developing virtually independently. It is one of the oldest industrial estates in Amsterdam-Noord.
A number of canals were filled in during the 1980s, because companies were transporting raw materials and products by road. This gave an immense boost to the area. Now a new phase has begun with empty sheds transformed into serviced offices and studios. The Hamerstraatgebied has room for everyone, from long-established companies, like cable firm Draka and old garages, to sandwich bars and start-up companies. New buildings are appearing between the existing ones. Examples of renovation and reuse are Pand Noord, housing an array of media companies, and the old Verschure sheds containing a number of creative companies. Restaurant Hotel de Goudfazant and the alternative musical theatre, M-lab, have also settled here. Oog op het IJ is also new, offering small-scale office space and studios for creative companies.
The detailed land-use plan will probably not be ready before 2010. However, in order to support all sorts of new initiatives, a number of temporary rules have been established regarding construction height, purpose and sight lines etc. Future optimalisation of the area is important. It is also important to achieve a mix of businesses and other functions like a hotel, expansion of the catering facilities and possibly even housing.