54 custom-made awnings for hotel The Manor in Amsterdam

‘The most beautiful hotel remains the most beautiful hotel’

For many Amsterdam residents, the building on the famous Linnaeusstraat in Amsterdam East is a true icon. In earlier years, it housed the OLVG hospital, now it is the place where tourists love to book a hotel room. Insiders call The Manor the ‘most beautiful hotel in Amsterdam East. Naturally, the company wants to maintain that reputation. That's why a lot of attention is being paid to restyling. In that context, 54 new awnings were mounted in early May of this year. 

Roland Dankbaar of ISB Zonwering from Badhoevedorp won the contract to supply and install the 54 awnings and took on the challenge like a true project manager. Of course in cooperation with his two main suppliers: cloth supplier Sattler and awning manufacturer Schlappi Marquees. 

“I did know this customer from several years earlier, when I was asked to clean the then-hanging awnings,” Dankbaar said. “But when that question was asked again last year, I indicated that it would be wise to install new awnings. If you want to maintain a good, positive image as a hotel, at some point you have to want to invest in something new. That's what The Manor was interested in. They then released budget, after which we could get to work.” 

According to Dankbaar, the task was no sinecure. “For example, we had to take into account the house style - colors - of The Manor, orange and white. Cloth manufacturer Sattler had to specially produce a cloth, but that was possible because it involved a number of 54 awnings. I worked very well with Nico van Hattum of Sattler in that regard. The same goes for the cooperation with Dennis Schoormans of Schlappi Marquees who made all the marquees completely custom-made.” 

A deal is a deal
“When working with partners, it is important to be able to trust each other. You have to know that the credo ‘a deal is a deal’ applies unabated. After all, with a project of this size you have to deal with things like hiring aerial platforms, laying driving plates and deploying traffic controllers in the street. In addition, we naturally had to maintain intensive contact with the hotel staff, because for them daily business continued as usual. Naturally, we had to take this into account. This project was therefore far from standard. In order to steer it in the right direction, we had a few good thinking sessions together. All credits also for Schlappi and Sattler's input.” 

Proud
“When I drive down Linnaeus Street now, I feel great pride,” says Roland Dankbaar. “The building is still the strong eye-catcher. And then I think: how is it possible that a relatively small company like ours was allowed to take on this great challenge? Even more so: if competitors from Schlappi and Sattler very sportingly let us know that we delivered it beautifully, it must be good!” 

Roland Dankbaar expects to do more such large projects in the future. “In fact, I see a trend in the market. Customers are looking for relatively small companies where the director-owner is at the helm in, for example, assembly and technical handling. After all, people need direct contact so that things can be done quickly. We can do that, but fair is fair, we can only do that thanks to the passion and commitment of suppliers like Schlappi and Sattler, who understand exactly where everyone's interests lie.” 

“Oh, and may I also mention my support and advocate Frank La Heij,” Dankbaar continued. “He is a ZZP who has been working for me for 11 years. Without him we could never have delivered this project so beautifully! And of course, thanks also to the team at The Manor for their fantastic cooperation. The Manor remains the most beautiful hotel in Amsterdam East! Just look at the awnings!” And then laughing, “And you can eat super delicious food there too!”