The A'DAM Tower is an almost 100 meter high tower on the IJ river in Amsterdam-North. The tower was designed by the Dutch architect Arthur Staal in 1966 on behalf of Royal Shell. The building was therefore better known as "Shell Tower" by many Amsterdamers.In 2016, after a two-year renovation, the tower was renamed A'DAM Tower.
History
Around 1965, Shell's management at the IJ Bank decided to build a new building for the management and general services of the Shell Laboratory. Arthur Staal was chosen as architect. Because the terrain was small, the new building should become a tower. Steel designed an office tower that is rotated 45 ° with respect to the IJ river. The tower derives its original name from Tower Overhoeks.
In March 1966, the foundation of a foundation on the second sand layer under Amsterdam began. The concrete used for the foundation floor was of poor quality and in July 1967 the floor was inflated with dynamite. Then a new floor was poured which was ready at the end of 1967. In 1971 the tower was completed.
In 2003, the Shell site was purchased by the municipality of Amsterdam. The residential area, which was developed on the former Shell site, was referred to this tower overhoeks.
In 2009, Shell left the office tower. This was then used as a temporary company collection. A large restaurant was opened in the former business corner next to the tower in 2013, in conjunction with the development of the adjacent Tolhui garden, which until 2009 was not accessible to the public.
In January 2014, it was known that this tower under the name of A'DAM, to a design by Claus and Kaan Architects, would be redeveloped into a combination of offices, nightlife and an observation point with a revolving restaurant. To this end, a major renovation of the facade would be necessary, replacing the typical glass window with a thin layer of gold. Since the mast has been placed on the tower it is about 100 meters high.
On May 14, 2016, the renovated A'DAM Tower was opened.
