Around 1901 a private construction company started building De Wetbuurt. They asked the municipality of Watergraafsmeer to name three streets. The company built a rectangular area north of the Ringvaart Watergraafsmeer. Three long streets and several cross streets were planned.
De Wetbuurt is a neighborhood in Amsterdam-Oost part of the Frankendael district. Initially the streets were named De Wetstraat Steijnstraat and Bothastraat. These names honored people involved in the Boer Wars in South Africa. Interestingly these individuals were still alive at the time.
Construction progressed slowly. A 1907 map shows initial blocks near the canal but the neighborhood extended into farmland. The planned streets were shortened in the expansion plan. Watergraafsmeer essentially created a small Transvaal neighborhood.
When Amsterdam annexed Watergraafsmeer in 1921 a naming conflict arose. Amsterdam already had streets with the same names. In March 1922 the street names changed. De Wetstraat became Fahrenheitstraat. Steijnstraat became Celsiusstraat. Bothastraat became Reaumurstraat. A cross street Wolmaranstraat became Von Guerickelaan. Dr Leydsstraat became Torricellistraat.
De Wetbuurt transformed into a science themed neighborhood. It was also known as Fahrenheitbuurt until the 1980s. The name De Wetbuurt ultimately prevailed.
De Wetbuurt’s boundaries are Fahrenheitsingel to the north Gooiseweg to the east Kruislaan to the south and the Weespertrekvaart to the west. It extends northwards to Hugo de Vrieslaan a major thoroughfare.
Buildings date from 1900 to 1925 showing Amsterdam School influences. Post-1950 buildings are also present. The Von Guerickestraat roughly marks the dividing line between the architectural styles. World War II interrupted expansion towards the Gooiseweg. Bridges over the neighborhood’s ring canal are designed by Piet Kramer of the Public Works Department.
About a third of De Wetbuurt is a school garden complex and sports fields. Schools were built to educate the growing youth population. Two schools were on Fizeaustraat named after Hippolyte Fizeau in 1949. One school built in 1932 is an L-shaped building with a lowered gymnasium. Its design reflects the Amsterdam School style. After the neighborhood’s children moved the building became a hairdressing school. Now it houses an after-school care facility. The other school was replaced by a retirement home Open Hof.
Today De Wetbuurt thrives a blend of history architecture and modern life. It’s a testament to Amsterdam’s ever-evolving character. A unique neighborhood with a fascinating past and a vibrant present.