The Zuidblok complex is located in a rich historical environment: next to the Olympic Stadium (1927) for the 1928 Games and the Citroën multi-storey garage (1931), built by the architect Jan Wils. The huge outdoor parking lot for fans is no longer needed, and is gradually being built up, but the site where Zuidblok appeared has become the subject of conflict between the municipality and local residents. In the opinion of the townspeople, a building in this place would obscure important perspective views. The solution was the volumetric solution proposed by Rem Koolhaas' bureau with a two-storey cantilever extension 16 meters above ground level.
It was in these shapes and sizes that Kollhoff & Pols Architecten was supposed to work - despite its commitment to traditionalism and its inherent solidity and lack of dynamic gestures. To align their approach with the OMA idea, the architects used fake buttresses, which also accentuate the rhythm of the arcade of windows surrounding the building.
On the two lower floors is the Het Amsterdamse Proeflokaal, a gastronomic center that combines a café-restaurant, a wine bar, a culinary school, a conference center, and event spaces. The staircase between the restaurant and the study kitchen runs along the entire length of the underground parking ramp and is intended as a comfortable area for relaxation and communication. On the top two tiers is the Twenty Eight Aparthotel with 60 rooms, arranged around a courtyard planted with vegetables and herbs. Along with the garage, there is a supermarket underground. The total area of the building is 12,500 m2.
As part of the project, two stadium parking kiosks, originally designed by Wils, were rehabilitated and now sell coffee and ice cream.
