An imposing brick building built in 1908 for the University of Amsterdam has been reimagined by Office Winhov as a five-star Pillows hotel. Located on the edge of Oosterpark in east Amsterdam, the project will remove longtime barriers and return 4,000 square metres of former university land to the public. The final scheme connects to the park with a network of grassy lawns, flower beds, evergreen gardens and walking paths.

‘We are adding the hotel to the park,’ says lead architect Uri Gilad. ‘Usually, it is the other way around.’ A new wing faced in a similar brown brick improves upon the original building with larger windows facing the public green.

The architects collaborated with successful hospitality designers Studio Linse on the interiors, creating the look of an elegant Amsterdam home. Linse meticulously restored and connected original details to accommodate 88 guest rooms, several lounges and bars and a fine-dining restaurant. They introduced opulent furnishings featuring soft, tactile fabrics and warm, earthy woods, and enlisted artist Raphaël Hermans to provide original artworks for the guest rooms.

Chef Floris van Straalen helms the VanOost restaurant, with its 15-metre ceilings open kitchen. Less formal is Spring Cafe, an Italian-French brasserie that opens right onto Oosterpark.

Maurits at the Park is the sixth property from Pillows, a five-year-old hospitality brand across the Benelux region.

Mauritskade 61, 1092 AD Amsterdam, Netherlands.

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