Westergasfactory

The Westergasfabriek is a former gasfactory in the center of Amsterdam. The complex is most popular by trendy young public. Regular (music)events are held there because of it´s central location.

Between 1883 and 1904 the Imperial Continental Gaz Association gave an assignment to build the Westergasfabriek. This British company got a concession for the fabrication of gas in Amsterdam in 1883. Isaac Gosschalk (1838-1907) was responsible for the architecture. At that time he was one of the leading architects in The Netherlands. He has made his design based on historic techniques. Gosschalk set the target for himself to combine the highest standards of efficency with the best possible striking design. This lead to an outstanding combination of buildings, a milestone in the development of utilitybuildings.

At july 24 1883, one day after the concession was given, the buildingactivities started. The terrain was 1,3 meters below waterlevel and had to be levelled first to 1 meter above waterlevel. After 17 months most of the buildings were finished. In september 1885 the production of gas was started.

The Westergasfabriek was the biggest colegasfactory in The Netherlands at the time. The find of a huge amount of gas into the gasfield of Slochteren brought the end of the factory. In the peroid of 1989-1996 the 22 remaining buildings were given the status of National Monument. The main building of the Westergsfabriek nowaday houses a part of the citycouncil.

Westergasfactory
Haarlemmerweg 8-10
1014 BE Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Noord-Holland
Netherlands
+31 (0) 20 - 5860710
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