The festive groundbreaking ceremony brought together over 200 people at the construction site, ranging from project partners and officials to local residents from Amsterdam-Zuidoost. Speeches, music, and spoken-word performances offered a preview of the upcoming Eleven Square development. A collective countdown symbolically marked the start of construction, followed by time for music, socializing, and a look at the site where Eleven Square will take shape over the coming years.

Eleven Square is rising in one of Amsterdam’s most accessible locations—right next to AFAS Live, opposite the Johan Cruijff ArenA, and close to Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station—centered around a central plaza. In addition to housing, the development will feature space for retail, dining, leisure, sports, offices, a theater, and a hotel. This creates a new urban area designed for living, working, and spending time throughout the day.

Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan, Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning: "The housing shortage calls for plans that actually make it off the drawing board. With Eleven Square, we are taking a major step forward in one go: delivering over a thousand homes, including hundreds of student studios. In this highly accessible location, we see exactly how residential development can go hand in hand with an attractive environment where people enjoy living and spending their time."

Onno Dwars, CEO of Ballast Nedam Development: “With the start of construction, Eleven Square is becoming a reality after years of development. At this highly accessible location, we are adding 1,120 homes to Amsterdam in a single phase, right in the heart of one of Europe’s largest event clusters. We are combining living with working, culture, dining, and leisure—precisely the urban mix that suits this area. Moreover, with Amsterdam’s tallest residential tower, the city gains a new landmark on its skyline. This start of construction is the result of years of collaboration and a shared ambition to create a new piece of Amsterdam here.”

Ronald Huikeshoven, CEO of AM: "Eleven Square demonstrates what is possible when we link residential development with everything that makes a city attractive. We are not just adding 1,120 new homes here; we are creating a mixed, vibrant urban area complete with all the associated amenities. In this well-connected location in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, we are making intensive use of the space while simultaneously adding quality and vibrancy. With the start of construction, we are taking a crucial step from ambition to realization."

The first phase of Eleven Square comprises two residential towers containing 933 rental units and 187 homes for sale. The rental units include 455 self-contained student studios, while the remaining homes are intended for groups such as first-time buyers, young professionals, and small families. The 187 homes for sale will be released onto the market at a later stage. In doing so, Eleven Square makes a substantial contribution to meeting Amsterdam’s housing needs.

The residential development is combined with amenities and workspace, ensuring that the project creates not just housing, but a complete urban area. This mix of functions aligns with the ambition to pursue high-density, mixed-use development at highly accessible locations within the city.

Alderman Pels (Housing and Southeast Master Plan): "With this project, we are truly building for the neighborhood. The student housing and starter homes—as well as the amenities—are exactly what Southeast needs right now."

Alderman Alexander Scholtes (Land and Housing Development): "Amsterdam wants to build. That entails more than just housing. With Eleven Square, we are creating over a thousand homes and a complete urban district, featuring shops, restaurants and cafés, sports facilities, a theater, and public space. All this in a highly accessible location that will soon be home to hundreds of students. It is an area we can be incredibly proud of."

Earlier this year, Ballast Nedam Development and AM announced that the Bouwinvest Residential Fund had purchased 933 rental units and approximately 3,300 m² of commercial space at Eleven Square. The acquisition comprises 478 private-sector rental apartments and 455 student studios. The transaction marked a significant milestone in the project's realization.

Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling is responsible for constructing the first phase. Completion of the two residential towers is scheduled for 2029. This will be followed by the remaining components of Eleven Square, including a theater, a hotel, and additional office and commercial facilities.

Niels Doodeman, Managing Director of Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling, stated: "We are ready to execute this major and challenging construction project, following all the preparatory work undertaken to assume this responsibility. We fully grasp the design and transform concepts into actual buildings. Our teams work towards shared, ambitious goals—such as these projects—thereby making a significant contribution to the living and working environment."