One of the most striking elements of the plan is the central vista, which runs through Emmaplein square along Kings/Lane to the Willemsbrug bridge, one of the monumental entrances to Vondelpark.

The first villas were built in the area between Vondelpark and Koninginneweg in 1902. Overcrowding, dense urban development, and foul-smelling canals were turning the city centre into an unpopular place. It wasn’t an overnight success. Wealthy Amsterdam residents initially opted for houses inside the ring of canals or in the ‘t Gooi area, which offered good train and tram connections, rather than the bare, unwelcoming plots of the new houses. Over time the area developed into a chic neighbourhood with imposing townhouses, wide avenues, and a private park. Nowadays it  is one of the most-sought-after locations in Amsterdam.