Expats can explore Rotterdam Architecture

Architecture characterizes this city

Riva notices that there are more rentals in Rotterdam again. More expats are coming to the city and the students will soon fully start their studies at the Erasmus University. After the first adjustment in a new environment, the need to get to know Rotterdam will soon arise. Riva already published several guides dedicated to popular and upcoming districts and neighborhoods like West-Kruiskade, Maritiem District, Weena and Katendrecht. Use these guides to get to know Rotterdam. You'll pass popular hotspots, nice recreational areas and architectural landmarks. Unfortunately, these highlights are not always freely accessible. But during the weekend of September 12 and 13 you'll have the chance to access some of the remarkable buildings.

Open Monumentendag (OMD) and The Day of Architecture together offer several unique guided tours in different quarters of the city. Because of the current circumstances, the Day of Architecture couldn’t happen in Rotterdam in June. That’s why the organizing party Office for Metropolitan Information got together with the Open Monument Day for a collaborative edition. Dozens of special buildings open their doors. You get a unique look behind the facades. Guides, architects and constructors take you on a tour and along the way you learn everything about the ideas behind the design. You experience Rotterdam from different perspectives.

Open Monuments Day has put together four guided tours together with Urban Guides: the Tuindorpenroute, the Scholenroute, the Delfshaven-route en the Feijenoord-Kralingen-route. Richly illustrated by Caroline Ellerbeck, these routes take people on a monumental voyage of discovery through the different parts of the city. Expect experimental concrete construction, lovely courtyards, various garden villages, lots of greenery and, many school buildings, designed by the well-known architect Ad van der Steur. The perfect opportunity to get to know a new neighborhood.

Monumental visits

At some moments you'll imagine yourself in a completely different city, until that impressive skyline looms up again. During the weekend the routes can be followed with a guide, but afterward they can be downloaded for free.

In addition to the routes, all kinds of buildings throughout the city open their doors and offer sights behind the scenes. Like monumental buildings such as:
Van Nellefabriek, Arminius, Bureau Eendracht, Hofbogen, Koopmanshuis Rottekade, Laurenskerk and Elevatorhuis.

Elevatorhuis in Scheepvaartkwartier

Multiple mills 

Although Rotterdam isn't a typical Dutch city with a historic old town, of course there are windmills. A couple of them can be visited during the weekend: Molen De Zandweg, Molencomplex ‘De Ster en De Lelie', next to the Kralingse Plas, and Molen de Distilleerketel in Delfshaven.

On it's site, OMD has a section in which the relationship between people and monuments are highlighted. That way not only the clean historical facts are told, but also the emotional value of the built environment and the current relevance of such a building. The patrons of a specialty shop in Molen de Distilleerketel tell their story on the website.

The patrons of Molen de Distilleerketel. Photo: Erik Fecken

Don't forget the south

One of the biggest transformations in the city of Rotterdam is the whole south side of the city. Riva notices an increasing interest in South. Investors and investors are looking for homes to buy and then rent out. In addition, more and more tenants are aware that this area is on the rise. There are therefore ambitious plans that will greatly improve the residential experience, the living environment and the essential facilities in the area. Plans like Feyenoord City, Hart van Zuid, Rijnhaven, Kop van Zuid and Katendrecht. 

OMD acknowledges this trend. During previous editions mainly the monuments on the north bank of the city took part in the event, since last year there has been an active search for more connections with monumental Rotterdam South. One of the new participants on the south bank is FENIX, still known to some as the Fenixloods II on Katendrecht. The historic harbor shed from 1923 will be thoroughly restored, but will open its doors one more time during Open Monument Day. A tour of the construction site gives visitors an impression of the project. It will become clear how the original architecture will soon merge with the staircase leading to a new viewing platform, designed by Mad Architects from China. Team FENIX is also happy to tell you more about the building's new cultural destination. This will soon be the place where the story of the many faces of migration will be told.

MAD Architects designs a panoramic viewpoint on the Fenix warehouse

The rich program proves the attractiveness of Rotterdam. The city appeals more and more expats, international students and tourists. Riva can accommodate new residents. But we want to offer more. We want to inspire and show the beauty and uniqueness of Rotterdam. That is why we alert tenants to such events like this. You can already reserve spots for guides tours and such. Check www.dagvandearchitectuur-rotterdam.nl and www.omdrotterdam.nl.