Elvis is still alive and kicking

On the wide North Sea beach, on the edge of nature reserve de Boschplaat on Terschelling, you will find the unique Heartbreak Hotel. The beach pavilion in Oosterend breathes the atmosphere of the fifties and sixties: Elvis is still alive and kicking here. In order to offer the growing number of visitors a pleasant stay, the pavilion is currently being substantially expanded. Hupkes Houthandel supplied the foundation and decking for the new extension. 

Heartbreak Hotel's location on one of the diamonds of World Heritage Wadden Islands could hardly be more beautiful. Host Cedric Hartendorp therefore feels in his element here. "I love Terschelling, the sea, the dunes and the beach. And then when you get to work here, in this place, you feel like a privileged person." Cedric started at the age of 16 as a waiter at the Heartbreak Hotel and in 2009 took over from founder Flang, who opened the pavilion in 1991. Or yes, pavilion; in the early years, Cedric says it was more like a beach club that was rebuilt every summer season.

Doubling of surface area
In the late 1990s, Heartbreak Hotel transformed into a veritable pavilion with a fixed foundation on piles. Cedric: "In 2007, a first expansion followed and our pavilion grew to some 500 m². Early this year we started another expansion of no less than 500 m². We will have a large terrace on the west side of 200 m² added. There will also be additional storage space and a staff room." For the foundation of the expansion and terrace, Cedric turned to Hupkes Lumber Company. "We were tipped off by a fellow beach club owner. It is also one of the few companies that can supply these large dimensions from stock." The extension is founded on 44 Groenhart piles measuring 30 by 30 centimeters in lengths of 6 to 9 meters. On these, substantial Azobé girders were placed with decking of Massaranduba.

The terrace will be enlarged by 200 square meters. There will also be additional storage space and a staff room.

Sight posts protrude above terrace uit
Hupkes Timber Trade supplied 28 m³ To Groenhart poles, 23 m³ to Azobé girders and 12 m³ Massaranduba decking. "Seven Groenhart posts intentionally protrude about two feet above the terrace and act as 'sight posts.' They were planed and beveled by Hupkes. After all, the eye wants something too. The contractor vibrated the 44 poles into the ground within a day or two. We chose Groenhart because it is cheaper than Azobé in terms of price and of equal quality, at least in our situation," says Cedric. To be able to enjoy the breathtaking view even in the early and late season, the north side of the pavilion will be equipped with an electrically operated terrace cover. The terrace will even be fitted with underfloor heating on site.

The beach pavilion was closed during the major work in January and February, but has since reopened. Cedric expects to complete the work by the end of April. From then on, even more of the public will be able to enjoy the American atmospheres of the 1950s and 1960s, and the familiar music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry and many others will reverberate from the speakers.