A Brief History Of Amsterdam's Tuschinski Cinema

In 1921, Dutch real estate magnate Abraham Icek Tuschinski opened the crowning glory of Amsterdam’s cinemas. At the time, this magnificent building represented the height of Dutch architecture and effectively paid homage to design patterns drawn from Art Deco, Art Nouveau and de Amsterdamse School – an intriguing pastiche that simultaneously appeared familiar, yet completely original.
After building four popular cinemas in Rotterdam, Tuschinski realized the growing potential of his business and decided to construct the most luxurious movie theater in the Netherlands. Sensing the magnitude of his project, Tuschinski lent his name to the building and poured millions of guilders into its development. To accomplish this vision, he employed leading Amsterdamse School architect Hijman Louis de Jong to design his masterpiece.
De Jong and Tuschinski worked on the venture for several years and frequently quarreled over small details. Eventually, their plans came together, and de Jong was able to infuse the building with a peculiar sense of style that balanced monumental forms with a welcoming layout. From the outside, the cinema resembled an extravagant cathedral, complete with towering steeples and a cavernous entrance. Its interior, on the other hand, contained hundreds of ornamental design features that were selected and arranged in order to foster a hospitable ambiance.