Poortgebouw

Poortgebouw, a national monument over 100 years old, had been empty for two years when, on October 3^rd 1980, it was taken over by squatters protesting against high property prices and rents. Since then the ground floor has been a communal area with a café, market, free shop and book shop, and it has hosted various concerts and performances. The upper stories are home to musicians, visual artists, and activists. After four years of negotiations, it was agreed that the squatters’ housing association should pay a low rent fee to the city council and maintain the building. In 2001 a property development firm bought the building and the future of the building became uncertain once more.