Amsterdam residents can finally say doei to Centraal’s unsightly bike tower, with efforts to remove the structure starting next Monday.
Constructed in 2001, the bike tower has long been an infamous blemish on the historic face of the city. And, let’s face it — the grandeur of the iconic central station makes the fietsflat look pitiful.
A long time coming
Soon after the successful opening of Amsterdam’s underwater bike garage in 2023, plans were made for the fietsflat’s removal. (In other words, this demolition is long overdue.)
As Amsterdam’s traffic alderman pointed out in 2023, the tower’s storage capacity of 2,500 is nothing compared to the now 14,000 underground bike slots available to cyclists.
The famous "fietsflat" parking for 2500 #bicycles at Amsterdam Railway Station is being decommissioned. Technically it can still serve another 50 years. Which city is going to give it a new home? #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #SDGs pic.twitter.com/pGwY6CvdOy
— Henk Swarttouw (@copenhenken) June 9, 2023
The NOS also notes that the unseemly tower has continued to deteriorate, despite the municipality’s best efforts to renovate it.
Even worse, plans to sell the tower to Schiphol Airport proved too costly and technically difficult. The lack of alternatives left the municipality with no other choice: the fietsflat needs to go.
What can we expect?
The tower will be removed in phases, starting next Monday.
First, the structural elements of the tower will be removed. After two weeks, the demolition of metal and concrete superstructural components will begin. The last thing to be removed will be the foundation.
You can expect some noise pollution for up to seven days, but a full demolition will only be completed by early February.
As far as we’re concerned, though, a little noise is well worth the result.
Are you excited to see Amsterdam’s famous eyesore finally removed? Share your thoughts in the comments.
