Back in 1989, Dam & Partners Architecten were commissioned to design a restaurant in the derelict Cineac cinema on Reguliersbreestraat in Amsterdam, for the then-owners, Cannon. In 1994, they were once again asked to create a new design for the Cineac complex, this time for the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain.

The Cineac cinema, originally designed by Jan Duiker (1890–1935), opened its doors in 1934. It is considered a prime example of new functionalism and was added to the list of protected monuments in 1993. From the outset, Dam & Partners Architecten aimed to retain as many of Duiker’s original features as possible.

The exterior has been meticulously restored to its original condition, with the exception of the entrance. Where there were once two entrances flanking a curved steel wall, there is now a single entrance set in a curved glass wall. The windows remain as narrow as they were in Duiker’s original design, and the facade cladding consists of grey steel plates—some of which are the refurbished originals. The iconic neon sign has also been restored to its original form, though it now reads “Planet Hollywood” instead of “Cineac.”

The interior, however, has seen significant changes. The sloping floor—an essential feature of the original cinema design—has been replaced with a flat one, and the minimalist interior is concealed by video screens and decor typical of Planet Hollywood. Nonetheless, these changes were made to be reversible, allowing the room to be restored to its original state if desired. Key elements of Duiker’s design have been preserved, such as the distinctive ovoid ceiling and the spiral staircase encased in its original glass housing. Special care was taken to maintain the original flow of movement within the space, ensuring that the core concept of the interior remains intact.