The Stork Restaurant is the first of a number of developments which are to take place over the coming years, in the disused industrial spaces by the harbor of Amsterdam. It is part of the De Overkant project, an 15 year plan for urban regeneration of industrial space, which has been undertaken by Marloes van Heteren of SOLUZ Architecten and Pieter van der Pot of CUBE.
The huge scale of the structure has been kept intact and the absolute minimum of structural changes have been carried out. The small windows have been replaced by folding ones which allow wonderful harbor views and access to the outdoor terrace. Most metalwork has been left in situ, maintaining the industrial identity of the space. The collaboration of Erik Dijkstra of Interior Shock has introduced a post-modern industrial accent by the ingenious supplementation of unexpected functional items such as huge, unused concrete sewerage sections and wooden cable reels amongst the otherwise conventional furnishings. A central bar creates a natural division between the cafe area and the fish restaurant, which is the largest in Europe.
Eventually, it is hoped that the 30.000 sq.m. development will provide spaces for community activities, walkways as well as start-up spaces for small businesses.
