Amsterdam Noord artist squat to close in November

After 13 years squatters will be leaving their stronghold Villa Friekens on Kadoelenweg in Amsterdam Noord in November. The owner of the property has decided to build houses on the site. The squatters decided to leave voluntarily in November. "We could also have gone to court for a lawsuit, but then the riot police would have come into play. Now we know: we have until November, riots are not necessary." one of the inhabitants said to NU. Villa Friekens has been housing a motley crew of people living in caravans and an empty office building for many years. The location served as a workplace for artists and musicians and a large number of events were held there.

Artist at work. Paint and beet, villa friekens, #amsterdam #streetart http://t.co/KvhrwONkXt pic.twitter.com/QQuSc5f0x5

— Simon J Woolf (@simonjwoolf) August 30, 2014

#streetart in progress at villa friekens, paint and beer 2014 http://t.co/9BT2wNtx0y pic.twitter.com/luJnRnUbYP

— Simon J Woolf (@simonjwoolf) August 30, 2014