Art Nouveau architecture in The Hague is subtle, refined and often hidden in plain sight. Unlike the bold façades of Paris or Brussels, The Hague’s interpretation of the Nieuwe Kunst style is woven into residential streets, villas and shopfronts across the city.
This guide highlights ten of the most distinctive and photogenic Art Nouveau buildings in The Hague — a starting point for exploring the city’s early 20th-century architecture.
All buildings in this guide are located within walking distance in The Hague city centre, making it an ideal self-guided photo walk.
Art Nouveau Buildings in The Hague City Centre
1. Noordeinde 44 – 46
Noordeinde 44–46, known as Theesalon Krul, was designed by architect L.A.H. de Wolf in 1903. The building features a façade with decorative elements characteristic of the Art Nouveau style, reflecting the architectural trends of the early 20th century in The Hague.
→ Explore more Art Nouveau buildings in Street Galleries N-Z
2. Smidswater 26
Smidswater 26, also known as Huis van Lorrie, was designed by architect J.P.J. Lorrie in 1896. The building is a rare and well-preserved example of Dutch Art Nouveau, with both the exterior and interior reflecting the turn-of-the-century style. The façade features decorative elements characteristic of the Art Nouveau style, and the interior includes custom-designed furniture and stained glass by Eduard Kerling.
→ Explore more Art Nouveau buildings in Street Galleries N–Z
3. Denneweg 56
Denneweg 56, designed by architect Jan Willem Bosboom in 1898, is a remarkable example of Art Nouveau architecture. The building features a cast-iron skeleton construction with large glass windows, an innovative design for its time. The façade is adorned with ornamental details characteristic of the Art Nouveau style, reflecting the architectural trends of the late 19th century in The Hague.
→ Explore more Art Nouveau buildings in Street Galleries A–M
4. Maliestraat 12a / Hooistraat 9
Maliestraat 12a / Hooistraat 9, known as Villa Elena, was designed by architect J.W. Bosboom for master blacksmith E. Beekman between 1901 and 1902. The building exhibits a blend of Art Nouveau and chalet styles, with a brick façade and decorative elements characteristic of the period.
→ Explore more Art Nouveau buildings in Street Galleries A–M
5. Hoogstraat 9
Hoogstraat 9 is a distinguished example of Art Nouveau architecture, designed by architect L.A.H. de Wolf in 1904. The building features a sandstone façade with ornamental details characteristic of the Vienna Secession style, including tile panels from the ceramics factory “Rozenburg” and a decorative cornice with an imposing eagle motif.
→ Explore more Art Nouveau buildings in Street Galleries A–M
6. Hoogstraat 30–30c
Hoogstraat 30–30c is a notable example of Art Nouveau architecture in The Hague, designed by architect Johan Mutters Jr. in 1897. The building was originally constructed for the warehouse Hagemeijer and is characterized by its lavish use of natural stone and intricate Art Nouveau forms. The façade features segment-arched windows on the first and third floors, and round-arched windows on the second floor, reflecting the architectural trends of the late 19th century in The Hague.
→ Explore more Art Nouveau buildings in Street Galleries A–M
7. Venestraat 29
Venestraat 29, built in 1902, is a building designed by architect J. Mutters Jr. in Belgian-French Art Nouveau style. The façade is constructed of natural stone, with window openings adorned with cast-iron lintels and wrought-iron railings in large arched fields, grouped in threes. The rich sculptural work, primarily featuring plant motifs by M.J. Hack, adds to its architectural significance. The refined ornamentation of the façade represents a highlight in Mutters’ work.
→ Explore more Art Nouveau buildings in Street Galleries N–Z
8. Venestraat 17
Venestraat 17, known as Modemagazijn De Duif, was constructed in 1905 and designed by architect W. Molenbroek. The building is a notable example of Art Nouveau architecture, featuring decorative elements characteristic of the style. The façade includes ornamental details that reflect the architectural trends of the period.
→ Explore more Art Nouveau buildings in Street Galleries N–Z
9. Lange Poten 13
Lange Poten 13 is a notable example of Art Nouveau architecture, designed by architect L.A.H. de Wolf in 1905. The building features a cast-iron skeleton construction with large glass windows, a design that was innovative for its time. The façade is adorned with ornamental details characteristic of the Art Nouveau style, reflecting the architectural trends of the period.
→ Explore more Art Nouveau buildings in Street Galleries A–M
10. Kettingstraat 29 – 31
Kettingstraat 29–31, known as “De Goede Bron,” was constructed in 1903 and designed by architect J.W. Bosboom. The building is a notable example of Art Nouveau architecture, featuring decorative elements characteristic of the style. The façade includes ornamental details that reflect the architectural trends of the period.
→ Explore more Art Nouveau buildings in Street Galleries A–M
ART NOUVEAU PHOTO WALK ROUTE
Want to visit these buildings in one walk? See the suggested Art Nouveau photo walk routes below.
Recommended route:
Start at Noordeinde → Hoogstraat → Venestraat → Kettingstraat → Lange Poten → Smidswater → Hooistraat → Denneweg
Alternative route:
Start at Kettingstraat → Venestraat → Hoogstraat → Noordeinde → Denneweg → Hooistraat → Smidswater → Lange Poten
*All locations are within walking distance in The Hague city centre (approx. 2–3 km total).
Explore More Art Nouveau Architecture in The Hague
This list is just an introduction. The Hague has many streets with Art Nouveau buildings or buildings with Art Nouveau features, many of which are photographed and documented in detail in thehague.photo website.
- Browse Art Nouveau Street Galleries A–M & Street Galleries N–Z
- Discover the architects behind the Art Nouveau buildings Architect Profiles
- Follow a curated, self guided route Art Nouveau Photo Walk
Help Expand This Project
Know an Art Nouveau building that should be included? Or have additional historical information?
You can:
Your input helps improve and expand this growing visual archive of The Hague’s architecture.
Photography & Publications
The stunning Art Nouveau architecture of The Hague is also available in print:
- A large-format Art Nouveau Architecture photo book
– Coffee table print quality - A compact Art Nouveau Photo Zine
– Can guide you on your art nouveau photo walks through The Hague.
– Explore the Art Nouveau Architecture of The Hague in print.
Final Thoughts
The Hague has some beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, discovering them, learning more about them and capturing a photographic image is a rewarding journey of architectural exploration. The beauty of this architectural style lies not only in the building, but in its art nouveau details — details that are quite often not seen, above eye level, or hidden within the urban landscape..
Take your time, look closely, and you’ll begin to see the city differently.
Credits / attributions
All photographs © Neil Nathan – The Hague Photo
Architectural details from various sources including Monumentenzorg.