De Nieuwe Meervaart

Meervaart is outdated and does not have enough space to grow along with the city and the district. The current building no longer meets today’s construction and theatre technology requirements.

In addition, a new cultural centre in Nieuw-West will help ensure a better distribution of arts and culture throughout Amsterdam.

We are reaching the limits of the building: its technical condition, size and capacity. This can’t be resolved through a refurbishment or renovation, and the current site is too small for that.

We want to carry some of the familiar sense of warmth and security of the current building into the new one—that is explicitly stated in the brief given to the architects.

No. We build for art and culture. The facilities created for that purpose can also be used for business meetings and events. This is a significant source of income for every performing arts venue, but it is supplementary—not the main purpose.

Under one roof, facilities for learning, creating and presenting come together. There will be three theatre auditoriums with capacities of 1,000, 550 and 250 seats, as well as studios for makers, companies and young people.

The building is compact and designed for intensive use: the same spaces are used by different users at different times. By way of comparison, the combined seating capacity of the three auditoriums is 44 seats more than Carré’s single auditorium.

Different auditorium layouts offer tailored solutions for a wide range of productions: a raised stage or a flat floor, with the audience seated, standing or gathered around. This appeals to both artists and audiences, and creates opportunities for surprise and innovation.

The flexibility also makes it possible to tailor the capacity to each production, making programming more efficient and reducing business risk.

Yes. Alongside new forms of theatre, there is also a more traditional setup with an orchestra pit. It would be unwise to assume that a 400-year-old form of theatre will disappear in the coming decades.

A building that stands out for the many functions it accommodates and its distinctive design—a landmark that complements its green, waterside setting, with an inviting presence and a lively daily buzz.

Such a distinctive public building is an important catalyst for the development of Nieuw-West: a place we’re proud of and one you’re glad to have visited.

The final design is not yet known. What we do know is that the building will have two stage towers, up to 30 metres high: slightly taller than the current treetops and lower than the apartment blocks in the surrounding area.

From Tuesday 20 to Thursday 29 October 2026   five architecture teams will present their vision for the building and its surroundings. These are not designs yet, but they do give a sense of direction — and everyone can respond to them.

The new building will be located at the corner of Lelylaan and Meer en Vaart, where water, green space and urban infrastructure meet near the Sloterplas. Within a designated search area, the architectural team will determine how far the building extends into the water or onto land.

The exact location has therefore not yet been definitively determined.

After careful study, the municipality chose Sloterplas as the most suitable location. Freeing up the current site will also create room to strengthen the shopping centre.

Building at Sloterplas will make it possible to create an iconic building in a special setting, and could significantly improve the surrounding area and the lake’s water quality.

Yes. The loop around Sloterplas is explicitly mentioned in the Program of Requirements and the design brief. The route should be walkable in front of the building, around the back and possibly over the roof. This way, the new building can become part of the loop.

The architectural team will be selected in 2026. From 2027 onwards, the final design for the building and its surroundings will be developed. Construction will start in 2029, with completion in autumn 2031. After fitting out and testing, the official opening will take place in 2032.

For the local community, the city and the country — for audiences, students and makers. With a diverse programme of performances, events, workshops, classes, lectures, community gatherings and festivals, we attract a broad audience from the neighbourhood, the region and across the country.

Through its integration with Talentenhuis, Meervaart is becoming even more firmly rooted in Nieuw-West, while its distinctive building offers a programme that draws audiences from across Amsterdam and the Netherlands.

No. The OBA is moving to Het Verhalenhuis, and another location is being sought for the Music School. Het Verhalenhuis will also have a number of screening rooms; these won’t be found in the Nieuwe Meervaart.

The Nieuwe Meervaart will, however, have facilities for theatrical programmes incorporating film and documentaries.

The current building will be demolished, and the area will be redeveloped by the municipality. New homes will be built, along with space for community facilities and a hotel. The current building has reached the end of its service life — this is evident from the condition of the floor and foundations, the maximum roof load, its overall structural condition, and major installations such as the air-handling system and the fly system.