There’s more to this international business complex than meets the eye, so make the short journey to the Zuidas district and prepare to be pleasantly surprised.
Amsterdam has been welcoming international traders ever since the Golden Age of the 16th and 17th centuries, when The Netherlands was a world superpower. Trading patterns might have changed but Amsterdam has kept its status as a good place to do business, and today’s global hotshots head straight for the World Trade Centre, or WTC, to strike their deals. However, you don’t have to be a Blackberry-wielding business person to appreciate the hi-tech facilities and world-class attractions of this relatively new commercial hub.The Zuidas business district is about a ten-minute journey from the city centre by public transport, conveniently situated close to Schiphol airport. Here you will find many hotels and apartments catering primarily for the business community, as well as a wide range of business facilities including serviced offices and a conference centre. It also has a fabulous range of shopping and dining outlets that make it a popular destination for foodies and fashionistas, especially when the weather is inclement and a warm and dry shopping centre seems more appealing than a rain-soaked or windswept street.Nine towers and two large halls make up the WTC, making it one of the largest complexes of its kind in the world. The highest building, H tower, has 27 storeys. Head inside for some serious shopping all the major fashion brands and labels are here, as well as hairdressers, jewellers and electronics stores. Concerts and other cultural events are held in the atrium, while a tempting array of cafés and restaurants are to be found on the ground floor. Enjoy a relaxing lunch before heading for the H tower to view one of the rotating exhibitions of work by up-and-coming artists promoted by the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts.The WTC is easily reached from central Amsterdam by train from Central Station to Station Zuid. A short walk through the pleasant tree-lined courtyard of Zuidplein will bring you from here to your destination.
