The Hembrug site
The Hembrug site is truly unique – and it was here that Lab-44 first opened its doors in May 2017. We’re located in one of the most striking buildings on the Hembrug grounds, both in style and history. Our venue once served as the laboratory of the former weapons and ammunition factory that was based here. Today, this area has transformed into the beating heart of the Hembrug site – and a true hotspot.
de ontwikkeling
Over the past seven years, Hembrug has been transformed into a creative hotspot within the Amsterdam metropolitan region. More than sixty entrepreneurs are already based here, and leading events are regularly hosted on the site. The future owner will have the opportunity to further develop the area into a vibrant and distinctive destination, with potential for up to 180,000 square meters of gross floor space. Think living, working, hospitality, design, and culture, all in one inspiring location.
Tijdlijn
Artillerie Inrichtingen (a.i.) van Delft naar Zaandam (Hemveldterrein)
1899
Opening draaispoorbrug Hembrug
1978
Increase in production due to World War I: 8,000 employees
1917
Geneva Protocol: ban on poison gases
1925
Closure of the factory
1944
Specialisation in the production of precision lathes
1969
Relocation of ‘Hembrug’ to the Waarderpolder in Haarlem; Eurometaal remains at the Hembrug site.
1983
Eurometaal ceases production and closes its doors.
2003
opening lab-44
2017
42 hectareverboden terrein
Welcome to Lab-44 at the Hembrug site, located at the southernmost tip of Zaandam, where the River Zaan meets the North Sea Canal.
From the late 19th century onward, the Hembrug site was developed as a military area. Covering 42 hectares, it still forms the geographical heart of the Defence Line of Amsterdam (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the former military defense network surrounding the capital.
Until well into the twentieth century, the Hembrug site was a bustling industrial area. At its peak, no fewer than 8,000 people worked here. When the factories permanently closed in 2003, the site, along with its dozens of monumental buildings, fell into disrepair. For all those years, the Hembrug site was off-limits to the public. Even the striking forest on the northern side, known as the plofbos (blast forest), which was planted to shield Zaandam in case of an explosion, was inaccessible.
The Defence Line of Amsterdam was constructed between 1883 and 1920. It is the only example of a fortification system based on water management. Amsterdam and its surrounding areas were protected from invasion by a network of 45 armed forts, combined with the strategic (temporary) flooding of polders.
With the advent of fighter aircraft, this line of defense became obsolete, and most of the forts were subsequently abandoned. Today, many of them have been repurposed and given entirely new functions. Nu wordt het Hembrugterrein ontwikkeld tot een ‘urban mixed zone’. Er worden ruim 1.000 woningen gerealiseerd, met name aan de Noordzijde. Maar ook een flinke cultuurimpuls, horeca en dus een mooi groot bos.
The Hembrug site is truly unique and it was here that Lab-44 first opened its doors in May 2017. We’re located in one of the most striking buildings on the Hembrug grounds, both in style and history. Our venue once served as the laboratory of the former weapons and ammunition factory that was based here. Today, this area has transformed into the beating heart of the Hembrug site – and a true hotspot.
With the signing of the Geneva Protocol in 1925, the use of poison gases was officially banned. From that moment on, the building was used for other purposes, such as the inspection and testing of ammunition. It also served as a carpentry workshop and as a storage facility for oil, paint, and chemicals.
From a derelict building
The former laboratory, a provincial monument, had fallen into such a state of disrepair that the Dutch Central Government Real Estate Agency decided to sell it in 2015 in order to accelerate its restoration. Stadsherstel Amsterdam and the Zaan-area developer Lord Flashheart BV (named after a fictional World War I character) took on the restoration. The latter also manages the building’s current operations under the name Lab-44.
The building consists of a rectangular central section with a hipped roof, reaching a height of nine metres. Surrounding this is a ring of rooms with flat roofs, each five metres high. At the four corners of the structure, spaces were created featuring tented roofs with a distinctive roof construction known as a king post truss.
During the restoration, the entire roof structure was rebuilt, as it was on the verge of collapse. All brickwork was redone in the early 20th-century style. To emphasize the building’s monumental status and enhance its atmosphere, authentic details were carefully preserved and combined with modern elements. Given the great interest and frequent use of the site as a film and television location, it’s safe to say the result has been a great success!
Hooyschuur architecten & adviseurs uit Wormerveer tekende voor de restauratie en transformatie van dit pand en van een aantal andere panden op dit terrein.
into a true gem on the Zaan River
Nowadays
Since its opening in 2017, Lab-44 has been the place to be on the Hembrug site: 700 m² for Makers & Eaters. The makers are located in the outer ring of the building. Here you’ll find a satellite location of Brouwerij HOOP from Zaandijk, where several new flavors have been developed. Also based here is the Ministry of Spicy Business, the creators of Zaanse Sambal. Lab-44 regularly hosts cooking workshops, particularly by Nur Culinair, known for her flavorful Turkish cuisine.
From Farmer Wants a Wife to the well-known film Soof 3 – where Lab-44 served as the restaurant of the country’s most famous fictional chef – chances are you’ve seen Lab-44 somewhere before. The location has also featured in various fashion shows, the IKEA catalogue, and the popular TV show BinnensteBuiten. A wonderful compliment to this truly unique location.
From dining to meetings and celebrations
Want to get married at our venue? Looking for a meeting space? Planning a party, after-work drinks, a family dinner or a BBQ? Let us know – the possibilities are endless. We also welcome you for a memorial gathering or even a full funeral service. At Lab-44, we know how to give every occasion the attention and atmosphere it deserves.
volg ons
Middenweg 44
1505 RK Zaandam
020 237 4111
reserveringen@lab-44.nl
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday
From 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
(Monday & Tuesday upon request)
English 
Dutch