The Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest has got its very own premises: the RCO House. The property is located at Gabriël Metsustraat 16, Amsterdam, near Museumplein a stone’s throw from The Concertgebouw. The key transfer took place on Tuesday 23 August 2016. It has been the orchestra’s long-cherished dream to have its own base with rehearsal studios for orchestra members, an ensemble hall and more possibilities to make its education and talent development objectives a reality. At the RCO House everything will finally come together.
The RCO House has been realised at a beautiful location right in the cultural heart of Amsterdam. After a thorough renovation its amenities include urgently needed rehearsal studios for our musicians, meeting rooms and offices for staff and an ensemble hall for small-scale concerts, talks and educational activities. The orchestra has moved into the building at the end of 2019, around the celebration of its 130th anniversary.
"The RCO House is a dream come true for the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. It is a home where all of the orchestra’s musicians can prepare in peace for the many concerts in the Netherlands and abroad; a space where we can realise our ambitions in the area of chamber music and education; and a permanent and shared venue for orchestra and staff. The RCO House considerably increases our visibility in the city of Amsterdam and on Museumplein in particular. The multifunctional facilities of the RCO House meet all the requirements of a modern and international top-notch orchestra.”
- Jan Raes, managing director
Gabriël Metsustraat 16 was designed in 1908 by the famous architect H.P. Berlage to serve as an art school for girls (‘Dagteeken- en Kunstambachtsschool voor Meisjes’). The old school building is a registered monument. Until 2008 it was in use as a laboratory for research of art objects belonging to Instituut Collectie Nederland (cultural heritage collection institute). Renovation, restoration and partial new build – including acoustic and soundproofing methods - are necessary to make the building fit for its new purpose.
Jop Ubbens
Ubbens Art
Julienne Straatman
Straatman Strategisch Advies
Kees Peijster
Chief Legal counsel Cofra Holding AG
Lodewijk Hijmans van den Bergh
Partner De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek
Anita Nijboer
Lid bestuur Stichting Donateurs RCO
Joop van Berkum
Commissaris
Martijn Snoep
Board member Stichting Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest
Heleen Kersten
Board member Stichting Donateurs Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest
Jan Raes
Managing director RCO
David Bazen
Director of Business and Media RCO
David Bazen
Director of Business and Media RCO
Joop Janssen, chairman
Erik Gerritsen, treasurer
Hans Zwarts, secretaris