Heritage · Listed building

Renovating a listed building in Amsterdam and Amstelveen

Renovating a listed building takes more preparation than an ordinary home. Most changes to a national or municipal monument need an environmental permit, inside as well. We map out the heritage values and design a plan that improves the building while respecting those values.

Heritage values identified early, using the description of why the building is protected
Drawings and justification for the permit application
Preliminary consultation with the municipality's heritage adviser

Discuss your plan Permit needed?

Permit

What usually needs a permit

With a listed building it is not only about the outside. Historic features inside are protected too.

Often needs a permit

Changes to facades, roofs, window frames and windows
Structural interventions, such as a wall opening or a new stair opening
Insulating or fitting different glazing
Removing or changing historic interior features, such as fireplaces, staircases or ceilings
Painting in a different colour

Ordinary maintenance is usually permit-free: work that preserves what is there without changing material, shape, detailing or colour. In Amsterdam this only applies if consultation with the heritage adviser shows that the structure and historic features are not altered. Permit-free work on a monument in Amsterdam (in Dutch)

Frequently requested work

What we often prepare in a listed building

From a new kitchen to foundation repair: every intervention needs its own assessment.

01 / Layout

Kitchen and layout

Replacing a kitchen or bathroom fittings is often permit-free if no heritage values are altered. Moving walls requires more investigation.

02 / Building services

Bathroom and pipework

New pipes and drains need a route that does not damage historic floors, joists or ceilings.

03 / Roof structure

Attic and roof structure

Historic roof structures are often valuable. Making an attic usable starts with a survey of the roof structure.

04 / Comfort

Improving sustainability with respect

Interior insulation, slim insulating glass or secondary glazing can improve comfort without changing the appearance.

05 / Facade

Facade and window frames

Repair comes before replacement. If a window frame does have to be renewed, its profiles and divisions follow the original.

06 / Structure

Structure and foundation

Leaning walls, cracks or a damaged foundation first call for investigation. In Amsterdam many old buildings stand on timber piles.

By municipality

Checking status and preliminary consultation

Start by finding out whether and how your building is protected. Then discuss your plan with the municipality early on.

Amsterdam

Listed buildings in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has almost 9,800 monuments and several protected townscapes
On the municipality's monuments map you can search by address or postcode
You can make an appointment with a heritage adviser before you apply

Look up monument status in Amsterdam (in Dutch)

Amstelveen

Listed buildings in Amstelveen

Renovating a listed building usually requires an environmental permit
You can first request a consultation and ask for the description of the protected features
Decision within 8 weeks for a municipal monument, usually within 26 weeks for a national monument

Monument permits at the municipality of Amstelveen (in Dutch)

The application

What makes a good application?

An application for a listed building needs more documentation than an ordinary renovation.

Components

Photos of the existing situation, inside and outside
Drawings of the existing and new situation, with details of the interventions
A description of the heritage values and the effect of the plan on them
A structural justification for load-bearing changes
Proposals for materials and colours

Is your building a national monument? In the national monuments register (in Dutch) you will find the description of why it is protected. Permits and advice

Financing

Subsidies and loans for listed buildings

Maintenance and restoration of a listed building cost more than for an ordinary home. That is why separate schemes exist.

Schemes

Owners of listed buildings can use subsidies and loans, for example through the Cultural Heritage Agency (Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed) and the National Restoration Fund (Nationaal Restauratiefonds). The conditions differ per scheme and per type of monument.

We provide the drawings and descriptions you need for an application.

From status to construction

The route in five steps

Establishing status and values
We find out whether the building is a national or municipal monument and which features are protected.
Survey of the building
We survey the building and record its historic features. Larger interventions may need further investigation. Building drawings
Preliminary consultation with the municipality
With a sketch we discuss the plan beforehand with the heritage adviser or in a consultation meeting.
Design and application
The plan is developed into drawings, details and a justification for the permit application.
Construction by skilled craftspeople
Restoration work requires craftspeople with experience in historic construction. Finding a contractor

Listed building FAQ

Frequently asked questions about renovating a listed building

How do I know whether my house is a listed building?

Look up your address in the national monuments register (Rijksmonumentenregister). Municipal monuments and protected townscapes are recorded by the municipality; Amsterdam has a monuments map for this.

Do I need a permit for interior work in a listed building?

That depends on what you change. If no heritage values are altered and no structural work on the building shell is needed, a permit is often not required, for example when replacing a kitchen. Check with the municipality beforehand.

May I insulate a listed building?

Often yes, but usually with a permit and with solutions that suit the building, such as insulation on the inside of the roof or slim insulating glass. What is possible differs per building.

How long does a permit for a listed building take?

In Amstelveen the municipality decides within 8 weeks for a municipal monument and usually within 26 weeks for a national monument. Both periods can be extended once by 6 weeks. Other municipalities have their own time limits.

Are there subsidies for listed buildings?

There are subsidy and loan schemes, for example through the Cultural Heritage Agency (Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed) and the National Restoration Fund (Nationaal Restauratiefonds). The conditions differ per scheme.

Heritage and sustainability