Rotterdam’s architecture is a testament to the city’s resilience, creativity, and forward-thinking ethos. Unlike many European cities, Rotterdam’s skyline is a vibrant mix of contemporary designs, reflecting its status as a hub of modernity and innovation. The city’s architecture bears the marks of its tumultuous history, having been largely rebuilt after extensive bombing during World War II. This blank canvas provided architects with the opportunity to experiment and push boundaries, resulting in a diverse urban landscape.
Iconic structures like the Cube Houses, designed by Piet Blom, defy convention with their tilted cube shapes, offering a whimsical yet functional living space. The Erasmus Bridge, affectionately dubbed the “Swan,” gracefully spans the River Maas, symbolizing the city’s connection and progress. Meanwhile, the Markthal, with its striking horseshoe shape and vibrant ceiling mural, serves as a bustling food market and architectural marvel.
Rotterdam’s architecture is not just about aesthetics; it’s a reflection of the city’s spirit of reinvention and its embrace of the future.
Rotterdam Central Station
Architect: Benthem Crouwel Architects
Built: 2014
Type: Transit Hub
Address: Stationsplein 1
Open to the Public: 24/7
Cost: Free
Markthal
Architect: MVRDV
Built: 2014
Type: Market, Housing
Address: Dominee Jan Scharpstraat 298
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10-8pm, Sunday 12-6pm
Cost: Free
Website: www.markthal.nl
Kunsthal
Architect: OMA
Built: 1992
Type: Museum
Address: Westzeedijk 341
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10-5pm, Sunday 11-5pm
Cost: 12 EUR
Website: www.kunsthal.nl
Kubuswoningen
Architect: Piet Blom
Built: 1984
Type: Housing
Address: Overblaak 70
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.kubuswoning.nl
De Rotterdam
Architect: OMA
Built: 2013
Type: Office, Housing, Hotel
Address: Wilhelminakade 139, 3072 AP Rotterdam
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.derotterdam.nl
Timmerhuis
Architect: OMA
Built: 2015
Type: Civic
Address: Halvemaanpassage 1, 3011 AH Rotterdam
Open to the Public: Yes
Cost: Free
Website: www.timmerhuisrotterdam.nl
Luchtsingel
Architect: ZUS
Built: 2015
Type: Infrastructure
Address: Schiestraat 18, 3013 BR Rotterdam
Open to the Public: Yes
Cost: Free
Erasmus bridge
Architect: UNStudio
Built: 1996
Type: Bridge
Address: Erasmusbrug
Open to the Public: Yes
Museum Boijmans van Beuningen Depot
Architect: MVRDV
Built: 2017
Type: Cultural
Address: Museumpark 24, 3015 CX Rotterdam
Open to the Public: Yes
McDonald’s at Coolsingel
Architect: Mei Architects
Built: 2015
Type: Restaurant
Address: Coolsingel 44, 3011 AD Rotterdam
Open to the Public: Yes
Witte Huis
Architect: Willem Molenbroek
Built: 1898
Type: Office
Address: Geldersekade 1C, 3011 WB Rotterdam
Open to the Public: Yes
Hotel New York
Architect: Christiaan Bonifacius van der Tak
Rebuilt: 1993
Type: Hotel
Address: Koninginnenhoofd 1, 3072 AD Rotterdam
Open to the Public: Yes
Van Nelle Factory
Architect: Leendert van der Vlugt, Johannes Brinkman, Jan Gerko Wiebenga
Built: 1931
Type: Factory
Address: Van Nelleweg 1, 3044 BC Rotterdam,
Open to the Public: Yes
Architect: ZUS
Built: 2015
Type: Infrastructure
Address: Schiestraat 18, 3013 BR Rotterdam
Open to the Public: Yes
Cost: Free
Architect: OMA
Built: 2015
Type: Civic
Address: Halvemaanpassage 1, 3011 AH Rotterdam
Open to the Public: Yes
Cost: Free
Website: www.timmerhuisrotterdam.nl
Architect: OMA
Built: 2013
Type: Office, Housing, Hotel
Address: Wilhelminakade 139, 3072 AP Rotterdam
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.derotterdam.nl
Architect: Piet Blom
Built: 1984
Type: Housing
Address: Overblaak 70
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.kubuswoning.nl
Architect: OMA
Built: 1992
Type: Museum
Address: Westzeedijk 341
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10-5pm, Sunday 11-5pm
Cost: 12 EUR
Website: www.kunsthal.nl
Architect: MVRDV
Built: 2014
Type: Market, Housing
Address: Dominee Jan Scharpstraat 298
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10-8pm, Sunday 12-6pm
Cost: Free
Website: www.markthal.nl
Architect: Benthem Crouwel Architects
Built: 2014
Type: Transit Hub
Address: Stationsplein 1
Open to the Public: 24/7
Cost: Free
