A LOVE LETTER TO AMSTERDAM
words ESTHER MULLER
The most anticipated luxury opening of the year in Amsterdam is not a fashion house or a concept store, but a sanctuary of quiet grandeur: ROSEWOOD AMSTERDAM, meticulously crafted by STUDIO PIET BOON. Nestled within the former courthouse building on the Prinsengracht, this five-star retreat is poised to redefine Dutch luxury.
As the grand opening draws near, we sat down with PIET BOON to discuss his vision for this landmark project. For over four decades, Boon has set the standard for refined, understated luxury. His design philosophy — combining craftsmanship, functionality and timeless aesthetics — has shaped private residences, hotels and interiors worldwide. With Rosewood Amsterdam, he brings one of his most personal projects to life. “This isn’t just another luxury hotel. It’s a love letter to Amsterdam, wrapped in design,” says Boon from his studio in Oostzaan, just outside the city. “Most high-end hotels in the city lack a true connection. We wanted to change that and designed each room as your personal Amsterdam house — like a small canal-side apartment, with unique layouts, rich materials and a connection to the city’s essence. Rosewood Amsterdam is intentionally and unmistakably Dutch.”
The journey to get to this point has been long. Boon and his team have worked for eight years on the project, facing a complex puzzle in converting the 19th-century courthouse into a fully functioning luxury hotel. “Normally, when you design a hotel, you can replicate room layouts. Here, every room had to be designed separately,” Boon explains. “A hell of a job, but above all, a dream come true. Working in such an iconic building, in the middle of the city, on the most beautiful canal doesn’t happen every day. And best of all, it has what I would say are the most luscious gardens in the centre, designed by PIET OUDOLF. Plus, let’s not forget the huge hallways — three to four meters wide, filled with natural light. Unlike most hotels, which can feel dark, this building is warm and inviting.”
The historical character of the building brought both limitations and unexpected surprises. As a protected monument, many original features had to be preserved, and even the colours were dictated by historical research. “We originally planned different colours, but Monumentenzorg insisted on a paint analysis. They scraped away layers of paint and found 12 historical colours. So we had to work with that,” says Boon. During construction, the team even uncovered unexpected pieces of history. “While digging, we found old bones. Everything had to be halted for an investigation, but it turned out they were animal bones from a former butcher shop that used to discard carcasses into the canal.”
Being a former courthouse, the original building gave an authoritative impression. “As a kid, I used to pass the building all the time, but as a courthouse, it never felt inviting,” Boon recalls. “We really wanted to change this. We don’t just want to cater to guests but also serve as a warm, welcoming place for the local community — a space to meet up for coffee or a glass of wine at the bar.” Studio Piet Boon achieved this atmosphere by thoughtfully repositioning the reception desk at the end of the entry hall, creating a space that feels more like a comfortable meeting place than a hotel lobby. For this part of the building, Boon drew inspiration from the Rijksmuseum Gallery of Honour, the grand corridor leading to REMBRANDT’s “The Night Watch.” Boon adds, “I don’t want to give away too much, but at the end of Rosewood’s entrance, there will be a modern take on the famous painting.”
images by DANIEL SARS
The art programme further reinforces the hotel’s connection to Amsterdam. “We strengthened the hotel’s local identity through the art selection. It was important that the artworks felt natural in the space, rather than being added as an afterthought. We wanted it to feel as though they had been collected over time, as though they belonged.” The carefully curated collection includes works by ANTON CORBIJN, MAARTEN BAAS, STREETART FRANKEY and FREDERIK MOLENSCHOT, among others. “It will be the mix of historical references, contemporary Dutch design and modern craftsmanship that gives Rosewood a distinct sense of place,” Boon reflects. “We’ve spent years on this, and I’m still happy with it today. That’s rare. Usually, after a few years, you see things you would change. But this? This is something special. This isn’t a Studio Piet Boon hotel — it’s Amsterdam’s hotel. And that’s what makes Rosewood unique. But some things are better experienced than explained. Walk in and you’ll get it.”
