Rotterdam - City of Architecture

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City of Architecture

Rotterdam

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Europe Netherlands Rotterdam City of Architecture

In collaboration with Rotterdam Partners

Overview

City of Architecture The guide was updated: 2022-09-25

Full of energy and innovation, Rotterdam reinvented itself after the bombing of the Second World War. It broke with the past and chose modern architecture. The motto: light, air and space, was ground breaking for that time. Rotterdam still embraces experimentation: almost anything is possible. Here, you are constantly surprised by new initiatives: from a rooftop city farm to a music festival in the harbour, from an exclusive rooftop bar to a brewery in an old warehouse.

If you love architecture then a visit to Rotterdam — with its patchwork of architectural styles — is a must. Icons of the Nieuwe Bouwen era stand beside the typical reconstruction-architecture from the sixties, seventies and eighties. They clash cheerfully with the hypermodern landmarks that have been built in recent decennia: the Erasmusbrug, Rotterdam Central Station, De Rotterdam, the Timmerhuis and of course the Markthal.

Erasmus Bridge

Erasmus Bridge

Rotterdam’s answer to Paris’ Eiffel Tower and Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, the graceful Erasmus Bridge opened in 1996 and was dubbed the Swan by the locals – definitely one of the city’s most famous landmarks! The 800-metre long bridge spans the Maas River and links the northern and southern parts of Rotterdam. According to USA Today one of the world's most spectacular new bridges.

The Cube Houses

The Cube Houses

The Cube Houses (Piet Blom, 1984) are part of the Blaakse Bos (Blaakse Wood) development which borders on the Laurenskwartier district and the Waterfront area. The architect wanted to design a kind of village within the city and saw the houses as trees and the whole area as a wood. The Cube Houses are tipped to one side as it were, making three sides face the ground and three face the sky. Don’t forget to visit the Kijk-Kubus (Show-Cube) to experience what life is like in a Cube House.

Markthal Rotterdam

Markthal Rotterdam

Sample the delights at the Markthal. In the first indoor market hall in the Netherlands, you can find nearly 100 fresh produce stalls, about 15 food shops and diverse restaurants including Jamie’s Italian (from Jamie Oliver). If you look up you will see the biggest artwork in the Netherlands, the wall painting the Horn of Plenty.

Rotterdam Central Station

Rotterdam Central Station

Rotterdam Central Station (Team CS, 2014) is one of the most iconic architectural sites in Rotterdam. The roof over the tracks is covered in solar panels and the striking hall roof points towards the city centre. A number of historic elements from the former station building (1957) by Sybold van Ravesteyn have been re-used, like the original clock in the front façade and the letters spelling out ‘Centraal Station’. In the main hall you can find several shops, information about public transport and the Rotterdam Tourist Information. If you’re looking for original souvenirs, don’t miss shopping at ‘Love Rotterdam. Gifts, Food & More.’ The square in front of the stations is a popular starting point for many walking and biking tours of Rotterdam's architecture.

De Rotterdam

De Rotterdam

De Rotterdam is an iconic example of urban architecture, designed by Rotterdam based architecture firm OMA/Rem Koolhaas. The three linked towers are nearly 150 metres high, forming a ‘vertical city’ of high-class flats, a 4-star hotel, offices, shops, restaurants, fitness and parking facilities. The name refers to the ss Rotterdam, a steamship that once sailed a regular route to New York and offered a wide range of functions for its passengers' comfort.

Van Nelle Fabriek

Van Nelle Fabriek

The Van Nelle Factory is a classic example of the Nieuwe Bouwen school of Dutch modernist architecture. The ingenious building was designed to provide all the facilities for the employees close at hand, keeping the building fully above-ground to create air, light and space. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2014.

Groot Handelsgebouw

Groot Handelsgebouw

This national monument is a typical symbol of post-war reconstruction. The huge structure, 220 by 85 metres in size, was built in the early 1950s. There are offices and shops distributed across various levels, with a 1.5 kilometre ‘road’ through them. It is a leading meeting place for entrepreneurs. Take the lift in the Groot Handelsgebouw to the 7th Floor for a beautiful view of Rotterdam Central Station.

Het Industriegebouw

Het Industriegebouw

Het Industriegebouw is from the same architects as the Groot Handelsgebouw. Both buildings have been a national monument since 1991. Its function as a business complex has been restored, it houses a variety of companies from tech start-ups to architects (re)creating the city and from your favourite concept store to breakfast diner.

Laurenskerk

Laurenskerk

The Late Gothic church (1449-1525) is the only building still remaining from the medieval city centre. The church received its current shape around 1525, but took heavy damage during the bombardment in May 1940. It now stands in striking contrast to the new architecture that surrounds it. Besides its regular church services, the building now also houses a permanent exhibition entitled ‘A monument full of stories’.

City Hall

City Hall

The City Hall was one of the few buildings to survive the bombardment in 1940. The listed building in Beaux Art style with Byzantine, Roman and Art Deco influences is symmetrically structured around an inner courtyard. The mayor’s office is on the first floor of the right corner pavilion.

Luchtsingel

Luchtsingel

The Luchtsingel connects Rotterdam North to the centre and revitalises a forgotten area. The project consists out of a wooden pedestrian bridge of 390 metres, The DakAkker (Urban Roof Farm) on Schieblock, a public area at the former station Hofplein and park Pompenburg. Crossing the pedestrian bridge brings you to Station Hofplein, the former station building that is now home to a number of restaurants, shops and a jazz club.

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