Explore Amsterdam's Bajeskwartier: From Former Prison to a Sustainable New City District

This tour explores the transformation of the former Bijlmerbajes prison into a new city district, Bajeskwartier. Visitors will walk through the area, witnessing the development of a green, car-free, and sustainable neighborhood that honors its history while embracing innovation, from its start at Ruby Emma Hotel to its end at Het Nieuwe Bajesdorp.

This tour, part of the 'Nieuwe Stad op Zondag' series, guides participants through the grounds of the former Bijlmerbajes prison, detailing its metamorphosis into a new city district. Once defined by six prison towers, the Bajeskwartier is now becoming a green, car-free, and sustainable residential area where the past is palpable but yields to renewal. The walk begins at the Ruby Emma Hotel, designed by Paul de Ruiter Architects, and progresses through the area, noting the demolition of most prison towers. The 'green tower' remains as a reminder of the past and will be redeveloped into a vertical park, serving as the district's heart. Along Amstelstroomlaan, the first residential buildings like The Robin by Barcode Architects and The Jay are emerging. Unique initiatives such as Hotel Jansen, a temporary hotel for students and newcomers, are also part of this developing district. The tour highlights the urban planning vision for Bajeskwartier, emphasizing ecology, energy efficiency, and social connection. The exploration concludes at Het Nieuwe Bajesdorp, a collective housing project and artistic enclave that revisits the site's origins, demonstrating how alternative living forms enrich the district with a cultural and social dimension.

Tickets for this tour are €15,- for regular admission. Multiple tour times are available on July 13th and September 21st, 2025. The meeting point is in front of the Ruby Emma Hotel. Ticket exchanges or cancellations are not possible. Purchasers will receive an email with final details the Friday before the tour.