Houthavens: the new harbour west
The Silodam stack, the Pontsteiger's horseshoe, and a pirate-TV platform turned restaurant — all on the water. Walked and written by the editor.

1. Silodam
MVRDV's housing block reads like a container ship moored to the quay — a stack of coloured boxes, no two floors alike. Stand on the water side and count the changes of cladding.

2. Old grain silos
Beside the new block, the original brick-and-concrete grain silos still stand, now flats. The walk's whole argument is in the gap of a century between the two buildings.

3. Pontsteiger
The horseshoe tower with the sky punched through its middle. You don't have to find the public viewpoint to feel it; just stand under the arch where it frames the IJ.

4. Houthavens islands
The new residential islands, all boardwalks and bridges over reclaimed dock water. Take whichever jetty looks emptiest; they all loop back.

5. REM Eiland
The 1964 platform that broadcast the Netherlands' first commercial television from outside territorial waters, towed here and turned into a restaurant. Even shut, the red-and-white legs are the strangest thing on the harbour.

6. Danzigerkade
Land on the working edge where the new west meets the still-industrial Minervahaven. The contrast is the reward; the bus home runs from here.

Houthavens: the new harbour west