H.R.H. Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme Opens Pocket ParkHouthavens Botanique, Designed by Erwin Stam Tuinstudio

"A park is essential for peace, inspiration, and connection."

Amsterdam, 12 June 2025 – In Amsterdam’s Houthavens district, H.R.H. Princess Margarita officially opened Houthavens Botanique, a newly created pocket park and tranquil green retreat. The project, a collaboration between Heren2, Ebben Tree Nursery, and Erwin Stam Tuinstudio, underscores the importance and power of outdoor spaces. It contributes to a more sustainable and healthy urban environment where nature plays a vital role.

“We often underestimate the importance of green spaces in our cities,” said Princess Margarita. “They’re essential—not only for fresh ideas, but also for human connection and inspiration.”

Nearly two decades ago, real estate developer Heren2—specialized in the transformation of large urban areas—gave new life to the Houthavens by developing housing and office space. In a continued effort to improve and green public spaces, the company took the initiative to transform a vacant lot on Minervahavenweg into a pocket park. Together with Ebben Tree Nursery and Erwin Stam Tuinstudio, they created a ten-year plan for a green oasis in the heart of the city: Houthavens Botanique.

Eijk van Otterloo, the initiator from Heren2, explained: “We have a green heart. It would be a shame not to turn this plot—which can’t be developed for at least ten years—into a lush landmark amid all the buildings here.” Inspired by the compact but impactful pocket parks of New York and Paris, Houthavens Botanique shows that even small green spaces can have a big impact on the local community.

Houthavens BotaniqueWhere ships once docked and timber was traded, a new kind of seed has now been planted. The name Houthavens Botanique references both the area’s historic ties to the timber trade and the word botany, which comes from the ancient Greek and literally means “to nourish.” In this park, it symbolizes inspiration.

Landscape designer Erwin Stam conceived the concept: “This is a place to unwind. Amid the stress and deadlines of daily life, this space allows room for reflection and fresh thinking.” With his studio, he created a design that blends classical elegance with innovation, while keeping sustainability and climate resilience top of mind. At the heart of the design is the relationship between people and nature.

The trees in the park were supplied by Ebben Tree Nursery, a family business founded in 1862, now run by the fifth generation. Based in the Land van Cuijk region, Ebben cultivates multi-stem trees, avenue trees, park trees, and large shrubs on over 550 hectares. In addition to being a public space, Houthavens Botanique also serves as a live showroom for the nursery. Dirk Ebben, who selected the trees, said: “Our living environment simply can’t thrive without the power of green.”

The interplay of land and water is strikingly captured in the large mural by Berlin-based art collective Innerfields. Every five years, the adjacent docks host SAIL Amsterdam, the world’s largest maritime event. The mural’s title, United by Waves, is also the theme for SAIL 2025. According to Mitra van Raalten, director of SAIL 2025, the artwork symbolizes the deep connection between people and nature—a message reflected equally in the vision of Houthavens Botanique.

Opening by Princess Margarita

Princess Margarita had the honour of officially opening the park. Through her company De Parme Design, she creates nature-inspired fine jewellery that artistically highlights the beauty and importance of the natural world. Her designs draw on organic forms—such as the oak leaf.

“The oak is a primordial tree and a tree of the future,” she noted during the ceremony. “It’s beautiful to see one standing here at the heart of the park.”

Through De Parme Design, Princess Margarita supports several initiatives by Trees for All, a foundation that has been working for over 25 years to create a greener planet. “This is how I give something back to nature, which is a constant source of inspiration to me,” she said. As patron of the foundation, she advocates for tree planting projects in the Netherlands and abroad, and encourages the public to participate in nature restoration.

The Houthavens Botanique concept aligns seamlessly with her mission. Or as Erwin Stam put it: “A good outdoor space should offer relief—on every level.”

PRESS RELEASE 13 June 2025

Press inquiries and photos: Please contact: office@erwinstam-tuinstudio.com Photo's: Chantalle Laurent (@chantallelaurentphotography)

Juni 2025 © KaaT | Kunst & teksT