Photo: Dudok Architectuur Centrum

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Palace Résidence
1973-1974 / Robert M.H. Magnée (1915-2002)

‘s-Gravelandseweg 86, Hilversum

In 1974 a modern apartment building with 73 luxury homes was built at an important intersection of the ring road for through traffic. The building was designed by architect Robert Magnée (1915-2002) on behalf of project developer Johan Matser. The name for the apartment building is derived from the Palace hotel, which had stood on this site for years and provided many tourists with temporary accommodation. Palace Résidence is an exemplary example of the structuralist architectural style of the 1970s.

The building consists of a higher square tower wing and two lower wings at right angles to each other. The high building section accentuates the corner of the intersection and forms a striking landmark. The facade on ‘s-Gravelandseweg shows a geometric pattern of straight horizontal lines and an alternating depth effect. Much use has been made of contemporary gravel concrete. Due to the recessed building lines, there is room for a green layout around the apartment building.

The luxurious homes were intended for wealthy residents of the Gooi for whom their villa had become too large. The apartments are spacious and the building contained many amenities such as a meeting room, library, parking garage and restaurant. Behind a sunken entrance is a monumental chic hall with glass walls and wooden ceiling. Corridors fan out around a foyer like streets with seats and squares that offer a view of inner gardens. Above a parking garage at basement level is a communal garden.

Architect Robert Magnée joined the architectural firm of Dudok in 1936 as a draftsman, after studying architecture and a short employment contract with the Amsterdam firm Merkelbach & Karsten. In 1956 Magnée became a partner at Dudok’s office. Many designs from the later period bearing the name Dudok were elaborated by Magnée. In 1963 Magnée continued the office under his own name: Architectenbureau R.M.H. magnet. He carried out many projects in the Gooi and surroundings. In 1980 he was one of the founders of the Dudok Foundation, the predecessor of the Dudok Architecture Center. As chairman, Magnée was a tireless ambassador for Dudok’s work and ideas into old age.