The Garden and Coach House of 524 Keizersgracht in Amsterdam

Nicolaas Doekscheer, the occupant of 524 Keizersgracht, had a lavish Rococo-style coach house built in back of his garden. He and his partner Hendrik Steenbergen, both pictured, financed fifteen plantations in Berbice, Demerary and Essequebo (all three part of presentday Guyana, South America). Their loans enabled plantation owners there to set up their coffee, cotton and sugar businesses. In turn, the interest went to Doekscheer and Steenbergen in Amsterdam.