Marie Heinekenplein
Encyclopedia
The Marie Heinekenplein ("Marie Heineken Square") is a square in Amsterdam
, popularly known as Heinekenplein. The circle-shaped square is used for various events, such as a book market and an open-air cinema.
Marie Heinekenplein was constructed in the early 1990s. It lies just outside the city centre, in the neighbourhood of De Pijp
, along the street Ferdinand Bolstraat
. The street Quellijnstraat runs along the southern edge of the square. Tram lines 16 and 24 have a stop near the square.
Along the Marie Heinekenplein are a number of bars and cafés. The square is lined with café terraces. Between the square and the Stadhouderskade street is the former Heineken brewery, now a popular tourist attraction known as the Heineken Experience
. Along the northern side of the square is a modern apartment building incorporating a supermarket and other shops at ground level. One of the three restaurants of renowned Chinese restaurant chain Nam Kee
is located along the square.
Originally the area was part of the Heineken brewery complex. In 1988, most of the brewery was demolished, and in 1993, construction of the square was started. The name of the square was the source of much debate in Amsterdam. Originally it was supposed to be named after Nelson Mandela
. The plan was scrapped after Winnie Mandela was convicted in 1991 of kidnapping and being an accessory to assault in connection with the death of 14-year-old James Seipei. Local street-naming rules do not allow a street to be named after someone who is still alive or a company. This also prevented the square to be named "Heinekenplein". The square is located in an area of De Pijp
where streets are normally named after Dutch painters. An elegant compromise was struck by naming the square after a niece of the Heineken founder Gerard Adriaan Heineken
, painter Marie Heineken (1844-1930).
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, popularly known as Heinekenplein. The circle-shaped square is used for various events, such as a book market and an open-air cinema.
Marie Heinekenplein was constructed in the early 1990s. It lies just outside the city centre, in the neighbourhood of De Pijp
De Pijp
De Pijp is a neighborhood of Amsterdam, Netherlands.The Pijp is located directly south of Amsterdam's city centre and it is part of the borough 'Amsterdam-Zuid'. Most street names in the Pijp are named after Dutch painters, like Jan Steen, Frans Hals, Ruysdael and Vincent van Gogh.The most famous...
, along the street Ferdinand Bolstraat
Ferdinand Bolstraat
The Ferdinand Bolstraat is a street in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. The street was named after the artist Ferdinand Bol in 1872...
. The street Quellijnstraat runs along the southern edge of the square. Tram lines 16 and 24 have a stop near the square.
Along the Marie Heinekenplein are a number of bars and cafés. The square is lined with café terraces. Between the square and the Stadhouderskade street is the former Heineken brewery, now a popular tourist attraction known as the Heineken Experience
Heineken Experience
The Heineken Experience, located in Amsterdam, is an historic brewery and corporate visitor center for the internationally distributed Dutch pilsner, Heineken beer....
. Along the northern side of the square is a modern apartment building incorporating a supermarket and other shops at ground level. One of the three restaurants of renowned Chinese restaurant chain Nam Kee
Nam Kee
Nam Kee is a chain of three Chinese restaurants in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The original restaurant opened at the Zeedijk in 1981 , followed by restaurants at the Geldersekade 117 in 1992 and at the Marie Heinekenplein 4 in 2010...
is located along the square.
Originally the area was part of the Heineken brewery complex. In 1988, most of the brewery was demolished, and in 1993, construction of the square was started. The name of the square was the source of much debate in Amsterdam. Originally it was supposed to be named after Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
. The plan was scrapped after Winnie Mandela was convicted in 1991 of kidnapping and being an accessory to assault in connection with the death of 14-year-old James Seipei. Local street-naming rules do not allow a street to be named after someone who is still alive or a company. This also prevented the square to be named "Heinekenplein". The square is located in an area of De Pijp
De Pijp
De Pijp is a neighborhood of Amsterdam, Netherlands.The Pijp is located directly south of Amsterdam's city centre and it is part of the borough 'Amsterdam-Zuid'. Most street names in the Pijp are named after Dutch painters, like Jan Steen, Frans Hals, Ruysdael and Vincent van Gogh.The most famous...
where streets are normally named after Dutch painters. An elegant compromise was struck by naming the square after a niece of the Heineken founder Gerard Adriaan Heineken
Gerard Adriaan Heineken
Gerard Adriaan Heineken was the founder of Heineken. In 1864 he decided to purchase the brewery 'Den Hoyberg.' Here he started to brew a new beer....
, painter Marie Heineken (1844-1930).
Sources
- Amsterdam city archives (Dutch)
- PvdA Amsterdam (Dutch)