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Amsterdam launches some new water homes
With space for housing in Amsterdam at a premium, the market has opened up for floating homes. Next year about 40 families will move into new homes floating on the IJ lake near Amsterdam city centre. The homes are the first of 100 to be built by 2010.
The new floating homes are being built (or is it launched?) near IJburg, an artificial island in the IJ lake. The home are hugely popular and more than 1,000 people have asked for details on the development. The demand has been so great those moving in have been chosen by lottery.
Houseboats have always been popular in Amsterdam and though the city is creating 100 more water homes they will no way meet demand which has risen dramatically. The floating homes are basically concrete frames floated on a boat. It needs very little maintenance and each home can be shaped to suit the buyers requirements.
The price of a floating home are relatively cheap compared to an ordinary home.The normal floating home had has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, under- floor heating and an air-con system. They also use 15 per cent less energy than normal homes.
This article was written for TravelSavvy Europe by Andy Matthews. If you know of an interesting European travel related news story, please get in contact.
