A haven of tranquility. That’s Stettineiland. This rectangular island in Amsterdam West wasn’t always here. Until the early 2000s this area was part of the Houthavens the old timber yards. Derelict and neglected it needed a new purpose.
Stettineiland’s story is one of transformation. Amsterdam needed housing. This land became the perfect solution. It was cleaned up and filled with sand. The water level needed to stay roughly the same. So they built an island. A clever solution.
Stettineiland is named after Stettin a Polish port. Szczecin today. Stettin was vital for Amsterdam’s timber trade. The name connects the island’s past with its present. Its houses are a modern take on Amsterdam School architecture. They fit perfectly with the nearby Spaarndammerbuurt.
The island is divided into two parts. The southern section was finished in 2018. It holds 62 homes designed by Roy Gelders Architecten. Another 58 followed in 2019. They’re charming row houses. Stettineiland is a car-free zone. Vehicles are directed to underground parking.
Stettineiland connects to two neighboring islands via bridges. There’s no direct link to the mainland. The bridges for cars are at right angles to the streets. Pedestrian and cycle bridges cross at an angle. Think of it as a modern maze. A pleasant maze.
From Wiborgeiland you’ll cross the Wismarbrug the Kolbergbrug and the Koningsbergenbrug. To reach Revaleiland use the Rostockbrug the Pilaubrug and the Stralsundbrug. During construction only the basic supports were laid. This ensured that building traffic could still use the bridges. A smart move to keep the project flowing.
Stettineiland is a testament to Amsterdam’s innovative spirit. It’s a blend of old and new. A car-free haven. A peaceful residential area. Its story is a small part of Amsterdam’s larger narrative. A story of transformation. A story of clever design. A story worth remembering.