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Muslim LGBT organization rents historic tower in Amsterdam

DutchAmsterdam.nl — A Muslim foundation run entirely by volunteers and financed by donations has rented Amsterdam’s most expensive office location — the historic Montelbaanstoren.

The 16th-century canal-side tower, built in 1516 as part of the ancient defense wall of Amsterdam, has stood empty even since it was fully restored in 2007.

Amsterdam Montelbaarnstoren

Montelbaanstoren. See another view.
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With an advertised rent of €9000/month the municipality of Amsterdam was unable to find a suitable renter.

In September 2009 the City even advertised the prestigious office spot on Marktplaats.nl — an auction website.

At the time a spokesperson stated that Amsterdam Center borough did not want the tower to be used as a hotel or restaurant. Instead it preferred to the it used for offices for a company whose activities take place on water.

In the past the tower has housed a police station and later the offices for the city’s Department of Sewage and Water Management.

The City has now decided to rent the tower to Secret Garden, a foundation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Muslims.

The organization leases the office space for just €1500/month.

A spokesman for the City says Amsterdam considers it important that cultural and social organizations are able to rent offices in the city center. “That’s why we asked a realtor to establish a reasonable market rate.”
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Anton and Janet Hein
Publisher at DutchAmsterdam | Website |  + posts

Anton and Janet Hein live and work in Amsterdam. We are the publishers of DutchAmsterdam.

Anton was born on a houseboat in the center of Amsterdam, right across from the iconic Westertoren and what later became the Anne Frank House museum. Having lived in nearly every district since then, he knows the city like his own back pocket.

Janet was born in England and raised in Ireland before moving to Amsterdam 42 years ago. Even to date she brings an expat’s perspective to the DutchAmsterdam website.

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Last updated Sunday, September 11, 2011 CET (Central European Time)

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