The building marks the center of the new Houthavens at the river IJ in Amsterdam. The extended Spaarndammerstraat ends at the head of the island where a pier and Watersquare were realized. On the land side, the building makes a welcoming gesture with a large glass atrium, on the waterside with a sheltered garden and a view of the water. These public places have a slightly elevated groundlevel with parking for bicycles and cars underneath. The ground floor is accessible to everyone with an atrium, bar, restaurant and a spa/fitness for members and hotel guests. The hotel rooms are situated above with bay windows on the short sides of the building in order to give all hotel rooms a view to the water.

The vertical rhythm of the bay windows and the large window frames give the building a human dimension. The expressive curved roof holds the entire volume together. The brick building stands on the ground with a typical Amsterdam base of limestone. The masonry, natural stone, wrought iron and the curved zinc roof were traditionally manufactured and built. This preserves centuries-old craftsmanship, which can be read when you get close. You see the imperfection of the handwork but everything fits tightly together. The building has a BREEAM excellent certificate and is nearly energy neutral, but the real sustainability lies in the fact that the building was designed with load-bearing facades and floors that support from facade to facade. The entire floor plan and the interior are free of construction and adaptable. This building is flexible and timeless and can nestle in the collective memory of Amsterdam.