Ambitious architects in Amsterdam have converted an old beast of a crane into a luxury hotel, complete with swanky rotating suites, spa pools and a TV broadcasting station.
The 250 ton, 50-meter high, decades old maritime crane is actually one of the world’s oldest and highest mechanical structures. It was almost in ruins, doomed to a life of decay, when a group of daredevil architects from various Dutch companies decided to get together and give it a new lease on life.
Despite being dismissed as ‘technically impossible’, they decided to take on the task of converting the old crane into a world class luxury hotel. The project was not easy – they had to lay new foundations to withstand the weight of the massive structure, because the quay of the old wharf was simply not strong enough. Developers splurged nearly a million dollars on constructing each room. They even fitted the structure with a thrust bearing made of gold, allowing each suite to rotate with the wind.
After three long years of construction, the dilapidated crane became ‘Hotel Faralda’, named after a Dutch heroine. Located at the hip NSDM site on the banks of the River Ij, the architectural wonder welcomes elite guests from around the world. The hotel offers its guests a panoramic view of Amsterdam and the river, as well as other luxurious amenities such as deluxe dining and a private business club for exclusive corporate events.
“Nowhere else in the world is there something as unique, as big and high as this hotel,” hotel spokesman Edwin Kornmann Rudi proudly declared. “This has put an end to the fight against the decline of the historic harbor crane. The Grand Dame has finally reached her destination as the most extravagant Crane Hotel in the world.”
“It is also the most talked about wedding location in the Netherlands,” he added. “We’ve had people getting married in the studio, sleeping in one of the three suites and having their wedding night start in the hot tub at the top of the crane.” One of the 35-square meter suites, located in the old engine room of the crane, retains its industrial ambience, while the other two have glass facades with extraordinary views of the harbor. The TV studio housed within the crane is used for high-profile television and music promotions, and also to host guests for fancy parties. A night in one of the hotel’s suites will set you back by about $500, which I think isn’t too bad for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first crane hotel we’ve come across in the Netherlands. A couple of years ago, we wrote about ‘Crane Hotel’, located in the seaside town of Harlingen, just an hour’s drive from Amsterdam.
Photos: Hotel Faralda/Facebook
