Although the Pier in Scheveningen began life as an esplanade in the sea with a teahouse at the end, it gradually became an iconic piece of architecture. Since the reopening in 1961, millions of people have walked along it and taken the sea air. However, it is not just a success story but also a structure with a history. It has, for example, been closed a number of times and reopened again. The last time this happened, in 2012, the fate of this attraction appeared to have been sealed. It had lost its shine and everything around it was becoming dilapidated. No one thought it had any future and it was even suggested that it should be demolished. We saw things differently.
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The most beautiful development location in the Netherlands
The Pier belongs to Scheveningen and is a place with potential that has to be used. With this conviction and full of ideas for the reopening, we purchased this prominent Scheveningen landmark together with Xcentric in 2014. Together, we now make up the new company called De Pier B.V. We had the capacity to look beyond the deterioration to see a building with endless possibilities. We saw a piece of land that extends into the sea. We saw the most beautiful development location in the Netherlands. However, it needed to be used in a completely different way. With this in the back of our minds, we developed a future vision for the Pier.
A successful redevelopment requires a long-term and short-term scope. The process that is now ongoing, is the exploitation for the currently reopened Pier. During this period, we are going to draw up plans to make the pier a success in the longer term. Our dream is for the pier to have a wide variety of functions. This requires a broad basis of support which we will try to organise with all the stakeholders in the coming years.
Vision of the future for the Pier
The vision we developed for the Pier consisted of two parts, one for the short term and one for the long term. The first required immediate action. The negative sentiment which was associated with the Pier had to be eliminated and that could only be done by reopening the Pier as quickly as possible. We managed to do that in 2015 and since then, the Pier has attracted millions of visitors. The contemporary and high-quality offering of street food, restaurants, bars, pavement cafés and shops, the giant wheel that offers a phenomenal view across the city and the luxury Pier Suites where people can stay the night at sea have breathed new life into the location. This gave us the time and space to reflect on the next phase in the life of the Pier.
In the coming years, the Pier will evolve, change with the times and be adapted to the requirements of the times. Comfort, a contemporary look, and being safe and accessible for everyone are important in this regard. Making the experience contemporary again becomes even more essential. In the coming years we will make the unique character that there is much to experience, larger and more versatile.
We are going to write and experience the next chapter of the Pier together. We are already looking forward to the new elements and what there will be to experience in the future. We invite you in advance. Because the Pier is and remains for everyone.
Giant wheel above the sea
The giant wheel, which is more than fifty metres high, is the first giant wheel anywhere in the world to be located at sea. The giant wheel has 36 enclosed gondolas with air conditioning, of which one is a VIP gondola which is fitted with a glass floor. All the (enclosed) gondolas have luxury seating for a maximum of six people. From the giant wheel, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view across the sea, beach and the skyline of The Hague.
Did you know that…
- The Pier’s boulevard is 300 metres long.
- The tower at the end is 45 metres high. In clear weather, the view extends for 17 kilometres.
- The first pier was opened in 1901.
- The current pier was designed by architect Huig Maaskant and was opened in 1961. Its unique construction and position make it a true icon.
- On 28 July 2014, CNN broadcast an item on the pier and referred to it as one of the most beautiful Piers in the world.
- Today’s Pier has existed since 1961 and was renovated in the nineteen nineties.
Roadmap
- Opening of updated pier
- Official opening of luxury Pier Suites
- Next Pier
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18 juli 2015 - Opening of updated pier
18 juli 2015The iconic pier in Scheveningen was reopened to the public on 18 July 2015 and has received many visitors since then. The renovated pier has become a true food boulevard, with a contemporary and high-quality range of street food, restaurants, bars, pavement cafés and shops. Various activities also take place on the pier throughout the year, such as a fantastic giant wheel with dining option, festivals, cultural events, pier markets, kids afternoons, educational activities and shows.
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14 november 2016 - Official opening of luxury Pier Suites
14 november 2016Following the opening of the largest terrace in the Netherlands, the Food Boulevard, the Pier Offices and the first giant wheel above the sea, Scheveningen’s iconic pier is the location of yet another first in the form of the luxury Pier Suites which offer people the chance to spend the night at sea.
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- Next Pier
A successful redevelopment requires a long-term and short-term scope. The process that is now ongoing, with the pier currently reopened, is planned to last for between five and seven years. During this period, we are going to draw up plans to make the pier a success in the longer term. Our dream is for the pier to have a wide variety of functions. This requires a broad basis of support which we will try to organise with all the stakeholders in the coming years.