Paradiso buys land in the building for large-scale expansion

It concerns a plot of land that has been vacant since 1880 between Weteringschans and Singelgracht. The Amsterdam platform is paying 3.5 million euros to real estate entrepreneur Claes Hamel for the land.

Paradiso has been partying since 1968 in the 140-year-old former Assembly Building of the Free Municipal. Bands and artists such as The Rolling Stones, Prince, Adele, and Kanye West performed at the Temple of Pop.

new entrance

According to Director Gert van Itale, the existing building is worn out and lacking for some time in terms of sound insulation, sustainability and space for public flows. Behind the scenes, the platform has been working on a large-scale renovation and new building plans for a long time. “We hope to create a new entrance, offices and exhibition spaces on the ground,” the director said. “Then visitors go underground into the existing halls.”

Funding and permits have not yet been finalized. After expansion and renovation, which is expected to take ten years, the stage should be energy neutral and soundproof. However, the character and appeal of the monumental building must be preserved. Paradiso wants to build a five-story building on the purchased land.

Underground club

On the right side of the building, Paradiso will move into the former bike basement in 2023. It will be the entrance for club nights in order to better orient the crowds and reduce street noise. It is a temporary solution, because in the long term Paradiso wants to build a new underground club and a connection to an underground entrance on the left.