Amsterdam American Hotel sold to German real estate investment company

DutchAmsterdam.nl — The iconic Amsterdam American Hotel on Leidseplein has been sold for 58,5 million Euro to German real-estate investment company Deka Immobilien.

Amsterdam American Hotel

Amsterdam-based Hampshire Hotels, then still called Eden Hotels, bough the 175 rooms, 4-star hotel in 2005 for 37 million Euro.

The company, which says it has invested ‘several million Euro’ in renovations, wants to use the proceeds to grow. Hampshire Hotels is one of the five largest hotel concerns in the Benelux.

Under the terms of the sale-and-leaseback construction Hampshire will continue to operate the hotel for at least 25 years, with two options for 10-year extensions.

“Hotel guests and customers of Café Americain will notice nothing of this transaction,” says Hampshire CEO Etienne Verkerk. “The American remains our crown jewel.”

The American Hotel opened in 1902. It’s names refers to an earlier hotel built in 1880 at the same location — and demolished just two decades later. The architect had lived and worked in the United States of America, where he gained experience in the hotel business. After his return to the Netherlands he wanted to built an American-style hotel.

The hotel includes Café Américain, a grand café in art deco-style. Usually referred to by locals simply as the ‘the Américain’ or ‘Américain,’ it is known as ‘Amsterdam’s living room.’ The name refers to the French for American-style coffee.

Both the café, with its Tiffany lamps and stained glass windows, and the hotel itself are registered as national monuments.

The Hampshire Hospitality & Leisure company operates 120 hotels, 7 of which are located in Amsterdam.