A building like the Beurs deserves care rooted in respect for the past and vision for the future
After months of scaffolding, the south façade of the Beurs van Berlage is once again visible in all its glory. The iconic clock tower shines brighter than ever. A perfect moment to look back on the restoration project recently completed by Van Milt Restaurateurs. We spoke with project leader Bjorn Plant, who has been closely involved in preserving this monumental building in the heart of Amsterdam..
Breathing life back into monuments
“Our motto is: reviving monuments,” says Bjorn. “We go beyond repair. We want buildings to truly shine again. That means combining traditional craftsmanship with modern tools. Our team has a deep passion for heritage, and that’s reflected in the results.”
Van Milt Restaurateurs specialises in the structural restoration of both monumental and non-monumental buildings. In their own workshop, they restore sculptures and ornaments, and can produce components that are no longer available. “This allows us to recreate even the most unique details.”
Working on the Beurs since 2018
The partnership with the Beurs van Berlage began in 2018 with a restoration project in the Administration Hall. Since then, Bjorn and his team have worked on several parts of the building.
“We work in phases on the exterior of the Beurs. We’ve restored masonry, natural stone and pointing, upgraded roofing insulation and completed painting work. The most recent phase – the south façade and iconic tower – has just been delivered.”
Challenges in the heart of the city
Restoring a listed building in the heart of a busy city requires more than technical skill. “The biggest challenge is logistics,” explains Bjorn. “We’re in the centre of Amsterdam – think busy traffic, tourists, events, even the occasional demonstration. We have to plan smartly and remain flexible. Sometimes we need to reschedule noisy work last-minute, while the Beurs continues operating as usual.”
Surprises at height
A building like the Beurs holds its secrets. “You can’t see all the damage from street level. Once you’re up on the scaffolding, hidden defects can emerge – or you discover stunning architectural details that would otherwise remain unseen. That’s what makes our work so special. Every day we learn more about this building.”
A balance of tradition and innovation
During the restoration, Van Milt draws on historic methods like mortar analysis, but also uses modern technology. “We want to stay as close to the original as possible. At the same time, we use contemporary tools to work more precisely and efficiently. That balance between craftsmanship and innovation is what makes this work so rewarding.”
A good example: “Sometimes it’s difficult to find the exact brick. In those cases, we contact suppliers who can produce a small, custom batch. And when a design detail is unclear? We dive into archives and digital databases to reconstruct it to the millimetre.”
The best compliment? Invisible work
When everything goes according to plan, no one will notice the work – and that’s exactly how it should be. “If a client says afterwards, ‘I can’t even see what you’ve done’, we take that as the highest compliment.”
What’s next?
The restoration of the south façade is part of a larger, phased project. “We’re now in phase three. The next step isn’t defined yet, but we don’t rule out a continuation. The Beurs is a world-class monument — and we’re proud to help take care of it.”