As seasons come and go, some traditions continue – with KLM unveiling its newest Delft Blue house.
This year, KLM selected ‘Het huis aan de drie grachten’ in Amsterdam, a national monument that borders three canals: the Grimburgwal, the Oudezijds Voorburgwal and the Oudezijds Achterburgwal.
The airline was proud to announce this during the airline’s 21st lustrum (a lustrum is a period of five years – the more you know)
During the festive unveiling, Marjan Rintel, President and CEO of KLM, presented the first copy to Arthur van Dijk, King’s Commissioner in the province of North Holland.
The mansion in the centre of Amsterdam dates from 1610 and was built in the Dutch Renaissance style. The house has the status of a national monument and owes its name to the fact that it has different canals on three sides: the Grimburgwal, the Oudezijds Voorburgwal (front) and the Oudezijds Achterburgwal. This gives the canal house different angles: diagonal and straight. The house underwent a major renovation in 1909 and has become an architectural masterpiece.
The architect, Jan de Meyer, wanted to completely restore the canal house to its 17th-century state after it had been sold, divided and renovated several times since 1687. New window frames, stepped gables and, at the entrance, a sandstone door frame were added to the house. The interior was also included in the restoration project; the oak draught doors and marble floors were replaced, for example. For many years, ‘Het huis aan de drie grachten’ was used as a bookshop and publishing house.
In Quotes
Marjan Rintel, President and CEO of KLM said
“The unveiling of a new KLM house on our anniversary is always a special moment, especially when it is a lustrum,”
“We are celebrating this anniversary in a challenging time for our company. However, in our 105-year history, we have often faced headwinds and KLM has always shown itself to be creative and resilient in overcoming them. Our goal is and remains a healthy and future-proof KLM. With the package of measures that we recently announced, we are laying the foundation for a strong KLM that will continue to connect the Netherlands with the rest of the world for the next 105 years.
A continuing tradition in the Sky
KLM has been handing out its Delft Blue Houses since the 1950s. They are filled with Bols Jenever and are handed out to passengers who fly the airline in its World Business Class cabin on intercontinental flights.
The houses are miniature versions of buildings in the Netherlands and abroad with a special history and are collector’s items (especially in the aftermarket, where some houses on eBay fetch more than a pretty penny.
There have been changes over the years, with the most recent big change being the house number. Since 1994, the number of houses has been in sync with the age of KLM.
We’ll see you again sometime in October 2025, when KLM hits 106 years old on the 7th of October.
Images, KLM.
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