Inside the First Climate-Neutral Canal House

Property of the Week: A dream home for culture lovers on one of Amsterdam’s most famous canals.

keizersgracht canal house — ©Christie's International Real Estate

As the first climate-neutral canal house (thanks to the heat pump and solar panels), this is a truly special listing. A dream locale for culture lovers, the property stands tall on the Keizersgracht canal — one of Amsterdam’s most famous.

Originally built in 1657 by order of a merchant, this canal house has a storied history. One of its most prominent residents, Ambrosius Perling, was a ‘master writer’ whose work can be seen in Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum.

From the outside the home is exactly what you would imagine when you think of Amsterdam: rows upon rows of tall and charmingly narrow canal houses. But the inside couldn’t be further from this thanks to an extensive renovation three years ago.

While the previous owners retained as much of the character as possible, the 3,627-sq-ft home is now beautifully modern. The authentic details have been lovingly matched with contemporary touches and state-of-the-art technology. As is standard for houses in Amsterdam, the property spans five floors, all of which can be accessed by a glass elevator.

The rooms reflect traditional canal houses, with lofty ceilings and large windows / ©Christie’s International Real Estate

The modern interiors are courtesy of an extensive renovation, bringing the property into the 21st century / ©Christie’s International Real Estate

A striking matte black kitchen and adjoining dining room provide a large space for entertaining or for quiet family dinners. At the rear of the first floor, a grand sitting room with a height of almost 22 ft is still cozy thanks to the wood-burning fireplace. At the front, a large room (currently an office) offers magnificent views of the Keizersgracht.

In the basement below there is a wine cellar, laundry room and ample storage. Spread out over the floors above, three spacious bedrooms with bio ethanol fireplaces feel warm and homely.

Attached to the back of the property is a glass conservatory, where sliding doors can be fully opened to extend the living space outside. A garden house, perfect for lazy summer days, completes this historic home.