Rosewood Amsterdam is housed in the city’s historic former Palace of Justice – a building with a layered past. Originally constructed in the 17th century as an orphanage, it underwent a dramatic transformation in the 1820s and served as Amsterdam’s criminal courts for the next 200 years. dpa joined the project a year into its decade-long renovation, a process made more complex by the building’s classification as a national monument. This status demanded a careful balance between restoration and modernisation, ensuring the integrity of the original structure was respected. Collaborating with Kentie Architecten (Lead Architect), Studio Piet Boon, and Sagrada, the team worked to transform the austere, institutional architecture into a warm and inviting Rosewood hotel.
In the guestrooms and suites, heritage restrictions on modifying the intricate moulded ceilings and walls led Piet Boon to adopt a “box within a box” design approach—creating spatial separation for bedrooms, living areas, and bathrooms, while allowing for discreetly integrated lighting.
Public areas were divided between Studio Piet Boon and Sagrada, with the former designing key spaces including the main entrance, pre-function zones, ballroom, meeting rooms, and spa. Their approach blended modern elegance with subtle Dutch character and colours inspired by the Dutch Masters. Lighting interventions were highly sensitive; original chandelier points were reused, and architectural pendant fixtures provided gentle uplighting to accentuate restored ceiling mouldings. In the subterranean spa, dpa used tuneable white LED lighting to complement limited natural light from a repurposed street-level lightwell, simulating daylight where needed and shifting to a rich amber glow for calming evening settings and treatment rooms.
Sagrada brought their signature “restrained opulence” to the Eeuwen all-day dining restaurant and Advocatuur bar. At Eeuwen, they crafted a space that feels light and open for breakfast, even under Amsterdam’s grey skies, and transitions into a subtly luxurious dining setting by evening. dpa supported this with minimal downlighting and a focus on integrated, concealed lighting to reveal the intricate plaster ceiling reliefs.
The Advocatuur bar is divided into three distinct zones, each characterised by rich colour palettes and lit predominantly by decorative lighting. The standout feature is the distillery—a dramatic space where deep blue walls contrast with gleaming copper equipment. In late-night scenes, the only illumination comes from the distillery elements and intimate table lamps, creating a moody, immersive experience where guests can enjoy the house-distilled Jenever in a truly unique setting.
Owner / Developer: CTF Amsterdam B.V.
Operator: Rosewood Hotel Group
Project Manager: C&R Hospitality Services
Lead Architect: Kentie Architecten
Architect of Record: Archer Humphryes Architects
Interior Designer: Studio Piet Boon and Sagrada
Photography: Courtesy of Rosewood Hotel Group and dpa lighting consultants
Exterior: dpa lighting consultants
Asaya Spa: © Danielle Siobhan
Advocatuur: © Chantal Arnts
Canal View Junior Suite: © Jonathan Maloney
