Located in Amsterdam, Hotel Arena is a listed building recently extended with a new hotel wing and two modern pavilions. This new extension, by Team V Archiectuur, is contemporary in style while also taking into account the historical significance of the original design by architect Bleijs. The monumental chapel that was originally decorated with stained glass has been restored and is now used for weddings and other celebrations. 

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Hotel Arena is a good example of how a relatively modest renovation can considerably impact both a building and its surroundings. When the municipality of Amsterdam announced their intention to develop Oosterpark and double its size, an opportunity arose to renovate the hotel to better connect with the surrounding environment. The grounds around the edges of the park were opened up, including those around Hotel Arena. It was at this point Team V seized the opportunity to “turn the hotel around” and create a new façade facing the park.

Back to front
Hotel Arena is housed in the former Saint Elisabeth Institution for disadvantaged women and orphaned girls, built in 1890. The original building’s front entrance on the Mauritskade is used to access social housing which was developed during the 1980’s. The hotel’s main entrance, previously located on a side street, became the service entrance during the renovation, now conveniently located beside a ramp to the new basement carpark. The hotel’s main entrance was relocated to face Oosterpark, and now features a broad flight of steps leading from the park to a spacious, sunny outdoor terrace and further to the new entrance to the left of the chapel. When the interior panelling of the chapel was removed, the stained-glass windows and original murals turned out to be largely intact, so the monumental chapel was fully restored to its former glory.

Original plans
The hotel now has three new wings: one brick accommodation wing and two transparent pavilions on either side of the chapel. The extension builds on the original symmetrical floor plan by the architect Adrianus Bleijs. His design for the girls’ institution was only partially built, with provisional façades positioned where future extensions could be added. The new accommodation wing features contemporary brickwork that aligns with Bleijs original architecture. The two new transparent pavilions, housing a restaurant and studios for meetings and events, also sit harmoniously alongside Bleijs’ design. The row of columns follows the original footprint, with sun lounges enclosing them. The natural stone and brick paving on the outdoor terrace extends seamlessly into the foyer entrance.

Hotel Arena has been a well-known establishment in the Amsterdam hotel-world for years. Care was taken to preserve the authentic architecture and monumental elements in the 5-meter high rooms too, while adding contemporary design. The interplay of the lighting with the shades of white chosen for the new interiors creates an especially intimate mood. Black glass walls separate the hotel room from its bathroom, adding a very modern element to the design. The same contrast can be found entering the totally bright hotel room after walking down the all-black and intimately lit hallway.

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Hotel Arena has been a well-known establishment in the Amsterdam hotel-world for years. The hotel has developed into a modern cultural hotel over the past 17 years. It is a lively meeting place for locals, tourists, business people and creative people. The hotel is housed in the former St. Elisabeth orphanage, designed by the architect A.C. Bleys, founded in 1890. At Hotel Arena, the commercial, artistic and cultural elements go together as stylishly as the combination of history and design. These elements can be found all through the building. Upon entrance, the two stories high lobby features 10 meters high black curtains contrasting with its monumental white marble staircase. The second monumental staircase features the exact opposite interior with its black marble stairs and tall white curtains. Care was taken to preserve the authentic architecture and monumental elements in the 5-meter high rooms too, while adding contemporary design. The interplay of the lighting with the shades of white chosen for the new interiors creates an especially intimate mood. Black glass walls separate the hotel room from its bathroom, adding a very modern element to the design. The same contrast can be found entering the totally bright hotel room after walking down the all-black and intimately lit hallway.