One of the few shopping malls in Amsterdam, Magna Plaza, is located in a magnificent 19th-century edifice directly behind the Royal Palace on the Dam square. Magna Plaza is worth visiting for its architecture and decor, regardless of shopping. Its glass-domed top makes it airy and light.
1. Magna Plaza: The Neo-Gothic architecture building
Located at Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 182, the former Amsterdam Main Post Office—now known as Magna Plaza—is a grand structure in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The building at Magna Plaza was created in the Neo-Gothic style by Dutch architect P.C. Peters around the end of the 19th century. A different renowned Dutch architect, Petrus J.H. Cuypers, had recently finished building the Central Station (1889) and the Rijksmuseum (1885), both of which were rich in historical allusions.
Exterior architecture
All of the windows and doors, as well as other exterior details like finished stone framing, are lavishly adorned with polychromatic brick. Besides, there are a lot of dormers along the roof borders, each with a crow-stepped gable. The edifice is known as “Perenburg” informally because of the pear-shaped crowns atop the towers.
Interior architecture
The inside of Magna Plaza consists of a central hall that is flanked by arcades, galleries on two above floors, and a sunroof. The building’s public use was restricted to its main floor, while PTT employees were the only ones with access to the upper floors.
One important factor was how well the magnificent structure was used and maintained. The building process began in February 1991. The majority of the external work consisted of cleaning, fixing, and restoring the façade. The carrying structures and decorative components were preserved while the interior of the building was fully renovated.
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2. Visiting Magna Plaza to shop
A grand piano has been positioned right in the centre of the bottom floor. You can also be greeted by live music on the weekends or on holidays.
Moreover, from the entrance, to the right is a store selling Dutch mementos, and to the left is a stand selling baby Gouda, little round red Edam cheese, and a variety of wines.
All of the major global fashion labels are featured in Magna Plaza’s boutiques, which are spread across three floors. However, there are also some stores that are more democratic, including the GSUS jeans store and the American casual clothing chain America Today as well as the Spanish clothing line Mango for women (all on the ground floor).
Besides, more elegant clothing and shoes, two good interior design stores, a DVD store with all the artsy European titles you might need, a Svarovski boutique, several gift shops, a store with traditional wooden toys (Pinokkio), and RDLFS (Rudolpho’s) — a skater’s store with apparel, footwear, and boards — can all be found on the upper floors.
If you’re hungry or thirsty, you can also find an Italian coffee shop and an Italian style brasserie at Magna Plaza (Ovidius is on the ground floor and has wonderful pasta) (Ristretto – on the top floor).
3. Park spaces next to Magna Plaza
If you must arrive by car, you can leave your vehicle in the Bijenkorf or Nieuwe Kolk garages at Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal.
4. Getting to Magna Plaza
Tram lines 1, 2, 5, 13, 14, 17, and 20 can be used from Amsterdam Central Station. Bus: 21, 170, 171 of 172. Magna Plaza is directly in front of the stop.
