Eastern Docklands

A well-hidden and
surprising new area in Amsterdam is the Eastern docklands, situated
between the Central Station and Zeeburger Island. In the past ten years
it has developed into Amsterdam’s architectural showpiece and a great
way to discover this area is by taking the free ferry that departs from
jetty 8 at the Central Station.

Formerly the heart of Amsterdam’s
industrial harbour, these four man-made peninsulas were built between
1876 and 1927 to provide the maximum length of quayside for Amsterdam’s
thriving docklands. Now reborn as the cool place to live, an address on
Java, KNSM, Borneo or Sporenburg “islands” is highly sought after by
Amsterdam’s trendy population. With their cutting edge architecture
admired around the world and KNSM island’s design shops it’s easy to see
why. Borneo island has sixty unique houses as a result of the ‘Live in a
house of your own design’ project. The only things they have in common
are their height, a door on the street side and a private area behind.
The Eastern Docklands have also attracted their fair share of trendy
restaurants.

Amsterdam, city of design
As no
other historical city, Amsterdam has succeeded in remaining a
contemporary breeding ground for creative talents. The many galleries,
studios and museums offer fine jewellery, furniture, glass and ceramic
objects, fashion and interior design. Amsterdam’s historical ambience,
relatively small size, freedom and openness to new ideas is a source of
inspiration for both young and renowned artists.

For more info:

Amsterdam Docklands: a comprehenisive site with lots of info, walking tours