Scheveningen Pier
|
Pier, aerial view | |
| Type | Pleasure pier |
|---|---|
| Design | Hugh Maaskant, Dick Apon |
| Total length | 45 metres (148 ft) |
| Opening date | 1901 (Wandelhoofd Wilhelmina), 1961 (current form) |
The Scheveningen Pier is a pleasure pier in the Dutch resort town of Scheveningen near The Hague. Opened in 1959, the current pier is the second in the town, the first being lost just after, and as a result of, the Second World War.
History
Wandelhoofd Koningin Wilhelmina
The first pier of Scheveningen, named Wandelhoofd Koningin Wilhelmina (Stroll Main Queen Wilhelmina) was opened on 6 May 1901 and was designed by the Dutch architect Wilhelmus Bernardus van Liefland and W. Wyhowski.[1] This wooden structure on a steel base was directly behind the Kurhaus hotel. In the spring of 1942 Scheveningen becomes a Sperrgebiet. The Germans used the pavilion as a storage and placed arms ammunition on the pier. To complicate an invasion by the Allies, the 30 meter promenade was removed and fitted with a suspension bridge. On March 26, 1943 the pavilion burned out completely. After the fire, the Germans demolished the pier through the wooden structure of the poles sawing off, probably because they were afraid that the pier could be used by the allies at a sea-borne expedition.
New construction of the pier
On September 17, 1959 the construction of the current structure was opened by the then mayor of The Hague, Hans Kolfschoten, the architects of the current structure were the Dutch architects Hugh Maaskant and Dick Apon from Rotterdam.
Current construction
Its unusual construction boasts two levels for the main pier, the lower deck a closed-in section, the upper open to the elements, and four terminal sections called 'islands', each originally with a separate focus. Its total length is currently 382 metres.
Current status
After a period of decay the pier is, because it failed during the second world war, purchased in 1991 by the Van der Valk group for one Dutch guilder.[2] The company invested about 20 million euros in the pier, refurbishing the main span and one island constructing a restaurant and casino. Following a fire in 2011 the pier's decay began. The Pier was declared bankrupt in early 2013.[3] The whole structure was closed in October 2013 by the town management, because the structure was no longer safe.
The project developer Kondor Wessels Groep en Danzep BV bought the Pier in October 2014[4] and planned to introduce various new functions.
On 19 July 2015, the upper deck of the pier was partly reopened, due to safety considerations still only for 800 people at the same time.[5] The lower deck is also open, although work continues. The upper deck contains a Bungee jumping facility of 60 m above sea level[3] and a restaurant.
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scheveningse pier. |
- ↑ "Wandelhoofd Koningin Wilhelmina (Scheveningen)". hetnieuweinstituut.nl. 18 April 2016.
- ↑ http://www.piers.org.uk/pierpages/NPSscheveningen.html
- 1 2 "Bungeejump-ondernemer keert terug naar Pier Scheveningen". Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ↑ "'Reuzenrad op de Pier Scheveningen absoluut mogelijk!' | Omroep West". www.omroepwest.nl. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ↑ "Scheveningse Pier deels heropend". Retrieved 2015-07-18.
Coordinates: 52°07′02″N 4°16′50″E / 52.11722°N 4.28056°E