Construction has begun on the first 25,000 m² of new commercial space at Food Center Amsterdam. Alderman Steven van Weyenberg (Land and Development) of the Municipality of Amsterdam gave the official start signal, together with the entrepreneurs who will move into the new commercial spaces and the management of the developers united in Marktkwartier: Ballast Nedam Development and VolkerWessels Vastgoed. Ultimately, the new Food Center Amsterdam will provide space for 95,000 m² of commercial premises. In addition, 1,700 rental and owner-occupied homes and a wide range of amenities will be developed.
The first new commercial building is called De Slang (“The Snake”), named after its distinctive shape. The building was designed by Converse Architects and is being realised by Ballast Nedam West. It will accommodate food-sector companies that are currently also located at Food Center Amsterdam. They are expected to move into their new premises in early 2027.
The second new commercial building is being constructed specifically for De Kweker, part of Sligro Food Group and active since 1949. This building was designed by Omni Architects and is being realised by KondorWessels Amsterdam. De Kweker has grown into a wholesale supplier for the hospitality sector, offering a broad range of products and taking pride in its close cooperation with local suppliers. Kees Kiestra, Director of Cash & Carry Wholesale, says:
“We and our customers are extremely happy that construction is now starting. For hospitality entrepreneurs in the city, it is crucial that they can source their daily supplies within the ring road and close to the city centre. De Kweker has always been a prime example of ‘the belly of Amsterdam’, and with our new wholesale facility it will become that even more!”
Most important first step
Alderman Van Weyenberg (Land and Development):
“Construction at the Food Center is finally getting underway. It is a place with an enormous amount of history and stories—a place that truly deserves some care and renewal. The current industrial estate will be transformed into a modern and sustainable mixed-use living and working area. The companies come first. It is important that the businesses that feed the city are given a new place at the Food Center. Once they have moved to their new location on the northern side of the Food Center, space will be created on the southern side for the homes our city so urgently needs. With the construction of De Slang and De Kweker, we are taking the first important step.”
The heart of Amsterdam’s food supply, now and in the future
Developer Marktkwartier, a partnership between Ballast Nedam Development and VolkerWessels Vastgoed, regards the start of construction as an important step for the city:
“The Food Center is the ‘belly’ of Amsterdam—now and in the future. For a long time, shops and restaurants in the city have been supplied from here, which is essential to urban life. In addition, we are developing 1,700 homes and amenities in an attractive green setting with a park and various rooftop gardens. We believe the new Marktkwartier West will be an asset to Amsterdam—for the people who will work and live there, as well as for the surrounding neighbourhood, which will gain access to a green area that is currently still paved and closed off.”
What kind of area will Marktkwartier West become?
On the site that is currently Food Center Amsterdam, a total of 95,000 m² of sustainable, state-of-the-art commercial space will be (re)developed. The existing business premises are currently spread across the site but will soon be consolidated in the efficiently designed northern section. This area will continue to be accessible only to entrepreneurs and their customers. A new entrance has already been constructed on the northern side, and part of the land has been prepared for construction.
Once the companies have moved into their new premises, the southern side will make room for 1,700 homes for various groups of home seekers, from starters to families. Of these homes, 25% will be designated for social rental housing. Several amenities will also be developed, such as a primary school and a gymnasium. A defining feature is the abundance of publicly accessible green space: between the residential buildings, as well as in the form of an urban park roughly the size of Dam Square including the Royal Palace. Along the two market canals, the redeveloped banks will create pleasant places to linger. Between the residential area and the business district stands the recently restored monumental Central Market Hall, which is already open to the public and will host additional functions in the future. In this way, Marktkwartier West will offer much not only to its entrepreneurs and future residents, but also to the surrounding neighbourhood, the district and the city as a whole.
The developers, entrepreneurs and the municipality are working intensively to make the plans possible, enabling the start of construction of the first commercial buildings. This work includes not only the urban design plan and housing designs, but also the many spatial planning procedures. Local residents have also been involved through well-attended information evenings and various consultations and workshops on specific topics such as public space design, noise, greening and the positioning of residential towers. The first permits for the construction of the homes have now been applied for, and preparations are underway to start residential construction next year as well.
