This incredible building is reopening its doors.
The colossal 40-hectare Food Centre Amsterdam has always been accessible only to professionals in the food industry. Behind the scenes, however, this place has long played a major role in ensuring that we all get our fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish, often without even realizing it.
In addition, there is a part of this site that almost no one knows about, and that is the formerly abandoned Central Market Hall. This enormous space measures 70 by 125 meters, but so far it hasn’t attracted the crowds it should.
People did visit this space, but not to buy fruits and vegetables. It is a reminder of Amsterdam’s past, dating back to 1934, when merchants bought and sold here, and people often came to soak up all that history. At 6,000 square meters, it is the largest market hall in Europe, but until now it has not functioned as such.
Who knows how long this place would have remained empty if it weren’t for the quartermasters Igor Sorko and Koen Vollaers, who already have several successful projects under their belts. Commissioned by Boei, they aim to restore this incredible historic site to its former glory.
Now that these two are involved, you can actually visit the market, and it is no longer just an empty space! A few months ago, those doors opened again for the first time in a long while, with a wonderful initiative that promotes equality. People buy meals here, and some buy meals for others who don’t have money. So anyone who comes here to eat gets the same food, but pays what they can. This beautiful gesture truly shows the best side of Amsterdammers and has completely warmed our hearts.
Recently, a few local residents got the chance to peek behind those doors that had been closed for so long, on a little train that looks like something from a carnival. As Het Parool explains, there was no other way to get people into the building through the busy market full of forklifts and trucks without that little train, which only makes us even more enthusiastic about this project.
On some evenings, the guests prepare meals for more than 100 people, and the chefs come from all sorts of different countries and cultures, which means the people eating here also come from different countries and cultures. That means you’ll taste food you’ve never tasted before, and if you’re anything like me, that’s a very exciting prospect! The renovation will take years, but for now, you can read more here about the Central Market Hall in Amsterdam and how to get there.
