THE STORY OF CASA
The legendary story of Casa starts with four friends and a mission. Casa was founded in the late ‘50s, to help solve the housing shortage for students. By also offering rooms to hotel guests in the building, Casa is – to this day – able to provide students enjoyable and affordable student housing. And that makes for a unique mixture of people that’ll never bore you.
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APRIL 1957
Four ambitious students, a symbolic amount of 100 guilders and a student housing shortage in Amsterdam. That is how the Casa Academica Foundation started. A hotel in the summer, and student homes for the rest of the year.
November 1959
After arranging all the necessary funding, the first stone of Casa Academica was laid at James Wattstraat on 12 November, 1959.
October 1962
31 October 1962: The official opening of Casa Academica. Even the Mayor and the Minister of Education and Culture attended the event, which was all over the newspapers: Casa is the future of Amsterdam-Oost.
march 1964
New director and young hospitality professional Max Wellink was a breath of fresh air for Casa. Wellink engaged students in the process, and Casa gained its first co-ed floor. Before that, girls and boys were separated.
Summer 1964
In the summer of 1964, Casa was greatly honoured to welcome the Chinese Opera from Beijing. As an experienced host, Wellink made sure the group received all the service they needed. The entire ninth floor was converted into a rehearsal depa
April 1972
Gradus van Nieuwkuijk became the new director of Casa, and soon became one of Casa’s most popular directors. The amiable man was known for his genuine interest in students, and how he could sit and chat with them for hours.
January 1980
After years of guests and student housing, it was time for an update. Between 1980 and 1984, Casa invested 1 million guilders a year for a major renovation.
March 1984
In 1984, a small group of students had the innovative idea to start a bar called ‘Casa Croeg’: a smashing success. Parties and gatherings found their way into Casa’s home, and the place remains the hangout spot for residents today.
September 1991
Marianne van Meurs became the Casa Academica Foundation’s first female director. The experienced lady stated that it was time for a new Casa. From 2005 onwards, Meurs was responsible for the construction of the new building on Eerste Ringdijk.
June 1995
The ‘90s proved to be less appealing to hotel guests, and to the delight of the students, Marianne van Meurs decided that students could stay at Casa over the summer of 1995 - one time only.
September 2005
In line with the plans for Casa’s new location, a new director was appointed in 2005: Hans Vugts, who had big plans for Casa.
September 2010
On 30 September, 2010, the new Casa complex was officially opened by Mayor Eberhard van der Laan. The complex offered more of a hotel vibe with a bed, a large desk, a flatscreen TV and Wi-Fi. A win-win, as it made moving in and out easier f
May 2013
The old Casa complex, located in the Amsterdam Eenhoorn area, was redeveloped in collaboration with VMX Architects. The borough is becoming a bustling Amsterdam neighbourhood.
September 2014
Hotel Casa introduced a new concept called East57. A coffee corner, a deli, a restaurant and a wine bar all in one. The name comes from the hotel’s founding story, ‘57 being the year it was established and ‘East’ because of its location.
May 2016
Hotel Casa opened NEST, a rooftop terrace and hotspot for the outsiders, lovebirds and chatterers. Truly unique because of its green ambiance and fantastic views.
January 2017
In 2017, Hotel Casa celebrated its 60th anniversary. It was a party to never forget! One thing is certain: Casa will be forever young.
September 2018
House of Hospitality started in Hotel Casa! A collaboration between the hotel and the ROC Amsterdam. Introducing a new way of learning on the job!
September 2018
East57 just became 3rd during the Misset Horeca Coffee Top 100 contest! Time for another cup of niceness.
December 2018
After days of dedicated work, we are super proud to present to you; our pop-up hotel lobby, coffee bar and restaurant.
March 2019
We have a brand new lobby and restaurant!
June 2021
We have brand new rooms!
Roos / Practical Trainer
‘The energy at Casa is very friendly, it feels like coming home.”
Maritta / Booking Office Executive
“Casa is a place where you can learn and make mistakes. Colleagues trust each other and are always willing to help.”
LATEST
Bamboo coffee cup is safe to use!
Bamboo coffee cups could be dangerous to use, but our Ecoffee Cup is totally safe. Read here why.
(available in Dutch)
Cycle route East Amsterdam
The grass is not always greener on the other side! Explore the direct area around Casa: head to Artis to see elephants and penguins, lie down with a book in Oosterpark or Frankendael Park, or picknick along the Ringdijk waters.
Amsterdam South-East Cycle Route
Discover Amsterdam’s most multicultural neighbourhood: play some foot near Ajax’s stadium, try some Afro-Surinamese food and sweets in a local deli, or enjoy nature’s magic along the beaks of the Hoge Dijk.
