The halls filled with gold and marble in Het Spaansche Hof exude grandeur from bygone times. But the two hundred guests who entered the event location on Westeinde last Friday wanted above all to create new memories. With a cocktail in hand, they attended the launch of the Dutch and English editions of Kingstreet, the annual glossy magazines published by Media Fresca about lifestyle and business, among other things.

Publisher, editor-in-chief and former employee of this newspaper Annerieke Simeone, dressed for the occasion by the new Flemish fashion house Xandres, explained: “We have been producing our Dutch edition for fourteen years, and last year we launched our first English-language edition for all international guests. We liked the name Kingstreet so much that we have now given it to the Dutch edition as well.” The old name ‘Bij Ons In De Residentie’ has thus been consigned to history.

Positive stories

“Whether it’s photography, design, interviews or events, we always strive for the highest quality. That’s why we work with the best creative minds in this city,” says Simeone. “Yes, and what’s in it? In-depth interviews, tips, news and positive stories about the good life in The Hague. We are particularly proud of the interview with President Yuji Iwasawa of the International Court of Justice, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary, and the conversation with Princess Laurentien and her daughter Eloise about their social fashion shop in Frederikstraat, My Lima Lima.”

Daanoe

The latter two stories appear only in the English edition; there is hardly any overlap between the two magazines. In the Dutch Kingstreet, the interview with Daanoe, photographer of ‘beauty in decay’, stands out. To achieve this, he climbs over fences and roofs, evades security cameras and ventures into minefields. His work can be admired at the Daanoe Experience Centre in Leidschendam. There is no sign of decay at Het Spaansche Hof, which has been so radically renovated and made sustainable that it can last another hundred years.

The former city palace, dating from 1469, will also get a wine bar in the spring, the third location of wine bar De Filosoof, and in the second quarter of 2026, a hotel with 51 rooms with kitchenettes will open under the banner of the Numa Group. There will be no restaurant; Karsten & Kuiper will provide the catering at Het Spaansche Hof. A new hotel, The ALD, is already operating on Fluwelen Burgwal.

Art

Simeone, like her magazines, was full of news. For example: “An international health centre is coming to Lange Voorhout (We Care, ed.) and a new branch of Leiden University is coming to Spui, with a new catering concept, Brew & Bake, at the bottom. Art is an important and valued part of our magazines. We congratulate Coen van den Oever of Galerie Den Haag and Project 2.0 Gallery on his thirtieth anniversary. Among others, he represents Daanoe.”

The first Kingstreet went to a woman — a true all-rounder. She studied psychology, was head of global marketing for cosmetic brands, and has been director of the Museon-Omniversum for seven months. The publisher: ‘Her mission is to touch visitors, and she will undoubtedly succeed. I am proud to present the first copy to Nancy Zomer-Carolus. The second copy is for the CFO of Re:born, Raouf Jarmo. In addition to Het Spaansche Hof, Re:born's portfolio includes the Pier and the Palace Promenade.’

Kingstreet is available and can be viewed at key locations in and around The Hague, such as hotels, restaurants, gyms, galleries, and museums. The magazine is also available for purchase at various bookshops.