History

History of the KIVI building

The KIVI building at 23 Prinsessegracht was originally a patrician house. In 1705, the 'ledigh erff' was sold to Knight Salomon de Medina, for 700 Carolusguldens from the steward general of North Holland. It was then sold to Jacob Abrabenel in 1721 and to Gerrit Janse Meerman in 1725. The latter built the current building in 1726-1728. Janse Meerman was Chamberlain and President-Hoogheemraad of the Grootwaterschap Woerden.

Later residents include: (1776) H.W. Baron Van Aylva, member of the Council of State and the Upper House; (1817) F.G. Baron Van Lynden van Hemmen, Chief Administrator of the Domains, member of the Upper House (1857) V.L.C. Baron De Constant Rebecque d'Hermenches (1867) M.W. Baron Du Tour van Bellinchove, Minister of Justice.

In 1919, KIVI bought the property from the widow of Baron Du Tour van Bellinchove, for fl. 200,000. Before that, KIVI was located in Diligentia on Lange Voorhout. To accommodate the library, the dormer was raised one metre. You can still see from the neighbouring buildings that they have a lower second floor. What is unique about the building is that it is the only building on Prinsessegracht whose entrance is not in the middle. So it has a transverse corridor on the first floor.

Restoration

In May 1993, the restoration and renovation was tendered and awarded to Royal Woudenberg (Ameide) for fl. 1.6 million. The plan was prepared by Architectenbureau LIAG in The Hague, led by architect ir J.A. Abels. The main interventions were to split the Kleine Zaal, located on the garden side, into two rooms. These are now the F.W. Conrad Room and the Caland Room. Furthermore, the Building Decree that came into force in 1991 made it necessary to build an indoor fire stairwell and an escape balcony on the garden side.