If you are planning on seeing a movie in Amsterdam, or even if you have no intentions of watching any of the latest flicks, you should not miss your chance to visit the Tuschinski cinema by the Rembrandtplein. The building is so sensational that the movie, at least at your first visit, is more of a minor matter. Built by the polish immigrant Abraham Icek Tuschinski in 1918, this is a huge Art Deco cinema palace that remains until today one of the most cherished buildings in Amsterdam.
Tuschinski arrived at the beginning of the 20th century in Rotterdam and, taken away by the new cinema craze, managed to open four cinemas in Rotterdam in a relatively short period of time. Then, after a move to Amsterdam, he decided to construct the big cinema in the city, which cost him the for that time unbelievable amount of 4 million guilders.
The Cinema building is an unbelievable architectural cocktail of the Dutch Amsterdam School style, the stylish Jugendstil, Art Nouveau and Art Deco style, as well as Tuschinski’s own style. The spectacular mix of styles developed because the original project was made by the young architect Hijman Louis de Jong, but Tuschinski fired him before the end of the construction, so two other architects completed the interiors.
With its two towers on both sides, rising above the neighborhood, the big theatre can already be seen from far away. Then, when getting closer, the imposing Art Deco façade will make you feel like you stepped back in the 1920s. Entering the building you find yourself in the incredible entrance hall, furnished with original Art Deco interior, standing on a beautiful 150 square metered hand stitched Jugendstil carpet. Walls are covered by carvings in glazed tiles, dark wood and bronze elements. And then there are the fantastic big yellow Art Deco lamps that give light to the plush and imposing room.
The Tuschinski is also the theatre that serves for all red carpet premieres in Amsterdam. Stretched limousines bring all the famous celebrities to the entrance of the extravagant Art Deco building. In this unbelievably beautiful and architecturally daring building artists like Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf or Josephine Baker already performed on the huge stage.
The gigantic main auditorium of the Tuschinski has 740 seats and can easily compete with the size of the old theatres and opera houses. It even still has private wooden boxes and love seats to sit in and marvel at al the extravagant Art Deco wood interior. Splurging on one of those plush love seats is definitely worth it though: for 30 Euros you get a private lounge for two people, personal wine and small meal service inclusive – it can’t really get better than that! A visit to the Tuschinski definitely has more style than that to any other cinema complex. It is an unbelievable world cinema palace that not only serves for watching your favorite actors on the big screen – a visit here is truly an extraordinary experience!
If can’t wait to watch a movie in this unbelievable building, come have a look at our apartments in Amsterdam to secure your accommodation!