The historic Westergas landmark has officially reopened its doors today, embarking on a new chapter as an independent venue complete with its own dedicated booking team. The inaugural lineup features a diverse array of high-profile acts, including Overmono, Bonobo, Skepta, and JPEGMAFIA, signaling the venue's commitment to a wide-ranging cultural schedule.
Located in Amsterdam’s Westergas cultural park, the circular former gasholder has undergone a significant redevelopment. While the main hall has been preserved in its original state, a new underground level has been constructed beneath the national monument. This addition fundamentally alters the visitor experience and flow throughout the site.
Previously recognized as a space for large-scale international electronic music productions, the Gashouder now functions with a distinct identity and organization. The venue will host a multifaceted program spanning live music, electronic performances, art installations, and theatrical productions.
Co-owners Lennart Rottier and Duncan Stutterheim spearheaded the redevelopment, viewing the project as a long-term commitment to the site's future as a permanent cultural destination. By relocating essential facilities to the subterranean level, the team successfully maintained the integrity of the iconic hall above.
“Our ambition was never to reinvent the monument, but to prepare it for generations to come,” says Rottier. “By literally creating space beneath the building, we have been able to preserve Gashouder’s original character while introducing an entirely new experience.”
The new level now houses dressing rooms, a kitchen, a lounge, and visitor facilities. Designed as a cohesive route, the space features a unique architectural character that complements the historic structure. The project’s architectural foundation was provided by André van Stigt, while the interior design was led by Aura Luz Melis of the Amsterdam studio Inside Outside, founded by Petra Blaisse. The team utilized the principle of “Ruwbouw is Afbouw,” ensuring that construction materials and industrial details remained visible rather than concealed.
The subterranean area contrasts with the hall above, utilizing stainless steel, aluminum, and translucent polycarbonate to create a contemporary aesthetic. With a capacity exceeding 3,500, the Gashouder now occupies a unique position in Amsterdam’s cultural landscape.
Managing Director Boye ’t Lam is currently curating an in-house team to deliver interdisciplinary programming. “We want to create a venue with a distinct identity,” says ’t Lam. “Gashouder has a scale and character unlike anywhere else in Amsterdam. That allows us to bring together artists, disciplines and productions that don’t necessarily fit into one conventional category.”
The venue’s opening season kicks off on October 30 with a performance by Mula, followed by sold-out shows from The Opposites. Later in the year, the Harmony series will transform the hall into a 360-degree audiovisual space, and in 2027, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is scheduled to perform Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.