History

Situated at Singel 456, between Odeon and the Baptist Singel Church, you will find a 17 th Century building with an interesting history. We will go into some detail here.

Face to face with an original stepped gable from 1607

The sign on the facade reads 'W. F. WEIJNTJES COPPER and HARDWARE' and dates from 1930. Since 1884 it has been a shop specialising in door and window furniture.

These photographs show W.F.Weijntjes and our historical monument at the Singel in downtown Amsterdam.

Singel 456, a stepped gable with a history

1607
Originally it was built as the left side of a twin building. The style of architecture is a transition between Dutch Renaissance and Dutch Baroque. A wooden partition divides the front and back rooms and a spiral staircase either emerges from or leans up against the partition. The front room on the ground floor has a very high ceiling, whereas the back room has been fitted out with a mezzanine.

Weijntjes Museum Singel 456

1680
The first major renovation takes place: a wide frontdoor with fanlight and big windows replace the original facade. The mezzanine is removed, resulting in a spacious back room. The spiral staircase is replaced by a new staircase at the back wall. A narrow corridor leads from the front to the back. A new back extension is built in the courtyard.

19th century
The windows both on the ground floor and the first floor are being replaced by bigger ones.

1884
Weijntjes becomes the new occupant and starts its business in copper and hardware. The family lives above the shop.

1938
Weijntjes invests 4500 guilders (approx. 2000 euro's) in a sample room which is located on the first floor.

1930-1940
The sign 'W. F. WEIJNTJES COPPER AND HARDWARE' was put in place in the 1930s.

1988
Gunters en Meuser becomes the new owner of Weijntjes. Singel 456 ondergoes major renovations. The 17 th Century mezzanine floor returns, so does the spiral staircase. The corridor is demolished. The 19 th Century shop interior makes place for a new one, especially designed for Weijntjes.

The nostalgic interior anno 1987.

1989
Festive reopening of Weijntjes.

1993
The workshop behind the courtyard is turned into a modern showroom.

1996-1998
Weijntjes expands and opens new shops in Naarden, Utrecht and Den Bosch ('s Hertogenbosch).

1998
Weijntjes head office and warehouse are located at Amsterdam Zuid-oost.