Magazijn De Zon, Wijdstraat 1, Gouda, Art Nouveau municipal monument in central Gouda, Netherlands.
Magazijn De Zon is an Art Nouveau structure featuring an elaborately decorated façade composed of natural stone and ceramic ornaments. The building displays ornamental metalwork, artistic glasswork, and carved details throughout its exterior surfaces.
The structure was designed in 1909 by architect Piet Buskens and initially operated as a department store for the Van Haeren brothers. A significant 1989 restoration included adding an upper floor while preserving its original architectural character.
The building displays the craftsmanship of the early 20th-century commercial district, where merchant ambitions shaped architectural choices. You can observe how the ornamental details on the façade reflected the aspirations of merchants and their communities at that time.
The building sits at Wijdstraat 1 near a central intersection close to the Markt and is easily reached on foot. Note that it currently houses a bank, so the ornate exterior is best viewed and photographed from street level.
An unexpected penthouse floor was added to the roofline during the 1989 restoration, hidden from street view. This addition demonstrates how historic buildings were adapted for contemporary use while keeping their visible exterior untouched.
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