Pier Scheveningen by Michael van der Burg

About "Pier Scheveningen"

by Michael van der Burg

About the artwork

The Scheveningen Pier is a pleasure pier in the Dutch resort town of Scheveningen near The Hague. Opened in 1959, the current pier is the second in the town, the first being lost just after, and as a result of, the Second World War.
Its unusual construction boasts two levels for the main pier, the lower deck a closed-in section, the upper open to the elements, and four terminal sections called 'islands', each originally with a separate focus. Its total length is currently 382 metres.
After a period of decay the pier is, because it failled during the second world war, purchased in 1991 by the Van der Valk group for one Dutch guilder. The company invested about 20 million euros in the pier, refurbishing the main span and one island constructing a restaurant and casino. Following a fire in 2011 the pier's decay began. The Pier was declared bankrupt in early 2013. The whole structure was closed in October 2013 by the town management, because the structure was no longer safe.
The project developer Kondor Wessels Groep en Danzep BV bought the Pier in October 2014 and planned to introduce various new functions.
On 19 July 2015, the upper deck of the pier was partly reopened, due to safety considerations still only for 800 people at the same time. The lower deck is also open, although work continues. The upper deck contains a Bungee jumping facilty of 60 m above sea level and a restaurant.