Changes on the Amstel

At the end of the 19th century, big infrastructural renovations changed the face and connectivity of the neighbourhood fundamentally. Two canals, the Houtgracht and Leprozengracht were backfilled, thus creating a wide street and a large open square, the Waterlooplein. It was the end of Vlooienburg as a seperated island, connected only with bridges to the surrounding city. Also on the side of the Amstel river some thorough infrastructural modifications were planned. In two stages, in 1892 and 1909, an additional strip of land was reclaimed from the Amstel river to make the businesses and houses more easily accessible by land on this side. The impressive uniform facade of 17th century houses rising from the water made way for more variation in architectural styles and functions.