REM-Island: 1964 Pirate Radio Station Sea Platform Transformed into Amazing Amsterdam Restaurant

A 1964 Dutch pirate radio outpost set high up on a sea platform has been relocated and restored into a unique restaurant and office building off the coast of <a title="REM-Island: a 1964 Pirate Radio on a Sea Platform Turned into Cool Restaurant off Amsterdam Shore" href="http://inhabitat.com/cute-organic-bakery-in-amsterdam-boasts-recycled-shipping-pallets-interior/" target="_blank">Amsterdam</a>. REM-Island by <a title="REM-Island: a 1964 Pirate Radio on a Sea Platform Turned into Cool Restaurant off Amsterdam Shore" href="http://www.concreteamsterdam.nl/#" target="_blank">Concrete Architects </a> is a red and white-checkered reclaimed building that stands above the IJ River on 40-foot stilts.

The pirate radio broadcasting <a title="REM-Island: a 1964 Pirate Radio on a Sea Platform Turned into Cool Restaurant off Amsterdam Shore" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REM_Island" target="_blank">REM-Island</a> was built in 1964 outside territorial waters in order to avoid Dutch legislation.

Constructed completely out of <a title="REM-Island: a 1964 Pirate Radio on a Sea Platform Turned into Cool Restaurant off Amsterdam Shore" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel" target="_blank">steel</a>, the 262-foot-high structure rests on 6 columns.

It housed radio and TV broadcast stations, but it only lasted four months before federal police took over the island, dismantled it and brought it back to the shore.

Nowadays, the historic tower has been renovated into a cool building that stands on stilts over the water and offers amazing 360-degree views over the <a title="REM-Island: a 1964 Pirate Radio on a Sea Platform Turned into Cool Restaurant off Amsterdam Shore" href="http://inhabitat.com/noorderlicht-cafe-is-a-healthy-and-social-eatery-in-amsterdams-quirky-old-shipyard/" target="_blank">NDSM Wharf</a> and the center of <a title="REM-Island: a 1964 Pirate Radio on a Sea Platform Turned into Cool Restaurant off Amsterdam Shore" href="http://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-waternet-building-recycles-water-for-the-entire-city-of-amsterdam/" target="_blank">Amsterdam</a>.

REM-Island houses a restaurant on two floors, office space and a large open terrace situated on a former <a title="REM-Island: a 1964 Pirate Radio on a Sea Platform Turned into Cool Restaurant off Amsterdam Shore" href="http://inhabitat.com/hirobos-futuristic-one-man-electric-helicopter-is-the-ultimate-james-bond-gadget/" target="_blank">helicopter</a> platform.

Access to the platform is provided via a steel footbridge on the shore that guides visitors through the enormous construction.

To ensure the island retained its original atmosphere, Concrete Architects preserved and renovated original features including footbridges; signal lights, railings, and they even included a lifeboat.