How about a journey to a metro station that’s more than just a stop? Let’s explore Ganzenhoef. This isn’t just any station. Ganzenhoef has a story etched in its glass and steel.
Ganzenhoef opened on October 14, 1977. It is part of the Gaasperplaslijn 53. This station is not just a platform. It is integrated into the Bijlmerdreefmetrobrug. That’s bridge number 1613 for those keeping score.
The name Ganzenhoef might sound curious. Like many street names in the Bijlmermeer, it tips its hat to history. It references a farm near the Vecht River, close to Maarsseveen in Utrecht. So, in a way, Ganzenhoef connects you to the Dutch countryside, even while standing in Amsterdam.
Look around and you will see the Ganzenpoort shopping center west of Ganzenhoef. It was built in 2002. This replaced the older Ganzenhoef shopping area. That one was located under the road and parking garages. It’s a story of renewal and change.
Back in 2004, Ganzenhoef underwent a significant transformation. The MetroMorfose project reimagined the station. The old concrete was removed. In its place came glass and steel. Zwarts & Jansma architects designed the new look. One quirky feature is the diagonal lift. It runs parallel to the escalators. Ganzenhoef led the way in modernizing Amsterdam’s metro stations.
But, the high costs led to the project being stopped. Only the east hall of Reigersbos station was completed. Other stations were renovated more simply.
Ganzenhoef has seen its share of drama. In March 2019, an explosion rocked the station. Around 4 am, a bomb was detonated at the ATM. The blast shattered windows. It damaged the station severely. For a while, the metro wasn’t running. There were fears about the stability of the track. Three months later, the station was still boarded up. But, repairs did eventually take place.
There used to be a fun artwork here. A long slide for kids was installed in 1976. But, it was removed for the 2002 renovation. It was supposed to return. But, the pieces went missing.
So, as you stand here at Ganzenhoef, remember its story. It is a story of connection. It is a story of modernization. It is a story of resilience. Ganzenhoef is more than just a metro stop. It’s a piece of Amsterdam’s evolving story.