Amsterdam begins plan to remove its ‘sex window’ prostitutes from red light district and announces new location for 100-room ‘erotic centre’

Amsterdam has unveiled plans to remove 'sex window' prostitutes from its famous red light district, and announced a new 'erotic centre' for escorts.

On Monday, Amsterdam city officials named the location in the south of the Dutch capital as a favored location for an “erotic center” outside the city, in a controversial plan.

Mayor Femke Halsema wants to uproot the red light district and move it from the city center to a purpose-built center, with the aim of getting rid of Amsterdam's image as a 'sin city' while simultaneously reducing the number of tourists and petty crime in the area.

The city 'finds the Europaboulevard in the South district to be the most suitable location for the new Erotic Center', according to the city council.

“This choice will now be presented to the city council early next year,” it added in a statement, expecting it to take seven years to open.

Amsterdam has unveiled plans to remove its 'sex window' prostitutes from its famous red light district, and announced a new center for escorts

Halsema has long opposed the centuries-old red light district known as De Wallen, with its neon-lined windows in canal houses where sex workers wait for clients.

The Europaboulevard, on the edge of Amsterdam's main business district, was one of three options for the erotic center. There would be 100 rooms for sex workers, as well as restaurants, sex theaters, clubs and restaurants.

“Finding a location for an erotic center is a difficult task,” the city council said. 'Due to the enormous growth in tourism, the old city, and in particular the red light district, has been under pressure for years.'

It added: 'The windows of the erotic center will be located only in the building. In this way we want to combat tourist tourism and keep disruptive groups at a distance.'

But the city's plans are opposed by locals who do not want the new center on their doorstep, as well as by sex workers who feel like scapegoats for the criminals and the crowds that surround their neon-lit stalls.

The choice of location puts the 'erotic centre' close to the European Medicines Agency, which has also opposed the measure, saying it could affect the safety of people working late in the office.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people have signed several petitions against the relocation of the stalls, calling instead for better crowd control and increased police surveillance in De Red Light District, especially at night.

Relocating the red light district is one of Amsterdam's efforts to transform its image as a party capital.

It has also launched a 'stay away' campaign to discourage stag and hen parties and boozy tourists, causing a stir in Britain after the council said it would target British men aged between 18 and 35.

On Monday, Amsterdam city officials named a new location in the south of the Dutch capital as the preferred location for an “erotic center” outside the city, in a controversial plan to move the city's Red Light District from its current home in De Wallen. (photo)

Mayor Femke Halsema (photo, archive photo) wants to uproot the red light district and move it from the city center to a purpose-built center, with the aim of getting rid of Amsterdam's image as a 'sin city' and at the same time reducing the number of tourists and tourists. petty crime in the region

Last month the city announced plans to step up its campaign to drive away partying tourists after the first attempt met with limited success.

A new online campaign now wants to show a different side of Amsterdam, with art and culture and stories of 'real Amsterdammers'.

The Amsterdam city council is expected to debate the proposals early next year.

It would take about seven years to build and open the erotic center.