RCO House
RCO's very own premises
A new foundation for our orchestra
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is getting 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.
Bence Major is playing percussion in RCO House
Edith van Moergastel in a rehearsal studio under construction
Anna de Veij Mestdagh shows the recital hall
Miroslav Petkov tells about the need for the rehearsal studios
Everything comes together at the RCO House
The RCO House will be realised at a beautiful location right in the cultural heart of Amsterdam. After a thorough renovation its amenities will 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 hopes to be able to move into the building at the end of 2018, around the celebration of its 130th anniversary.
A dream coming true
"The RCO House will be a dream come true for the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. It will be 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 will considerably increase our visibility in the city of Amsterdam and on Museumplein in particular. The multifunctional facilities of the RCO House will meet all the requirements of a modern and international top-notch orchestra.”
- Jan Raes, managing director
Historic monument
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.
Build the RCO House with us
The RCO House clearly heralds the next chapter in our story. It will give this wonderful orchestra an even stronger foundation and empower it to mature in quality and scope.
The cost of the total project will be €12.5m. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is investing €2.5m of its own. For the further 10 million we have initiated a large fundraising campaign and we are delighted with the support the RCO House has received so far. Many existing and new donors and a number of institutional funds have already pledged a total surpassing €8.9m.
For the remaining 1.1 million euros, the support of private donors, funds and corporate entities is now crucial. We are working together to build our new home base: will you join us? Please consider becoming a donor and help us to realise our dream. We will be happy to discuss with you the many available ways to support the RCO House and the fiscally advantageous donation options.
Please contact Anne Christin Erbe or Barbara Ruding at a.c.erbe@concertgebouworkest.nl of b.ruding@concertgebouworkest.nl, or call +31 20 305 1010.
Recruitment Committee RCO House
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
Steering committee RCO House
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
Building management RCO House
David Bazen
Director of Business and Media RCO
Board Stichting Beheer Vastgoed Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest
Joop Janssen, chairman
Erik Gerritsen, treasurer
Hans Zwarts, secretaris