Amsterdam's Leidseplein reopens after major renovation

The first half of the Leidseplein renovations are done, and alderman Pieter Litjens will officially re-open the popular Amsterdam entertainment district on Friday afternoon. On Monday, the new taxi stand on Leidsebrug will also be taken in use.

The goal for the renovations to the Amsterdam district - which involved pouring around 2 thousand tons of asphalt and 1,5000 m3 of concrete on Stadshouderskade, Leidsebrug and Marnixstraat over the past 18 months - was to reduce car traffic and increase atmosphere. The GVB also laid 1.5 kilos of new tram tracks. From Monday the square will be car-free and pedestrians and cyclists can use the entire space. From January, only electric taxis will be allowed to use the new taxi stand on Leidsebrug.

"The work at Leidseplein has been very disruptive for everyone who goes there, lives there or works there. Day in and day out, hard work was done and with results. The square has become much more attractive", Litjens said in a press release. "Next year we will start with the reconstruction of the Klein Gartmansplantsoen and te construction of the underground bicycle storage facility with 2,000 places. Once completed, Leidseplein will be completely ready for the future."

Litjens is officially re-opening the Leidseplein at 3:15 p.m. on Friday. To celebrate the completion of the new square, several festivities were arranged on the square on Saturday November 25th, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. These festivities, arranged along with entrepreneurs and cultural institutions, include music performances, guided tours and several activities for kids organized by the contractors and Stadshout Amsterdam.