Living in a Luxury Harbor Crane 50 Meters Above the Ground

Crane No. 13, majestically towering over the former NDSM shipyard in Amsterdam, is a fascinating example of salvaged industrial heritage. It was built in the early 1950s by the Hensen company and for over three decades continuously served for heavy ship loading and unloading. When the shipyard went bankrupt and finally closed its gates in 1984, the massive machine lost its purpose. For the next twenty-five years, the rusting, 250-ton structure stood useless, battling harsh weather conditions. It seemed entirely destined for demolition and the scrapyard. Its fate changed when developer and visionary Edwin Kornmann-Rudi saw its hidden potential. Instead of using real estate agencies, he bought the crane directly from the city authorities and, after lengthy efforts, secured a hard-to-get conversion permit in August 2011. In July 2013, the crane was carefully dismantled into parts and transported by barge to a shipyard in Franeker, where it underwent a comprehensive renovation. Upon its return to Amsterdam, in April 2014, the renovated structure opened as the Crane Hotel Faralda – one of the few luxury hotels in the world operating inside a fully functional industrial harbor crane. The biggest engineering challenge was reinforcing the steel skeleton and building elevator shafts without disrupting the original silhouette. Interestingly, the crane still rotates freely in the wind, allowing guests to constantly enjoy new perspectives. At its top, nearly 50 meters above the IJ river, there are now three unique, split-level suites, designed by outstanding interior architects. Meanwhile, on the top deck, there is a heated open-air jacuzzi offering a spectacular panoramic view of the entire Dutch capital and the vibrant, artistic NDSM district. This whole spectacular investment was made possible by a direct transaction with the landowner, proving that the most improbable housing projects require courage and unconventional thinking.