De Vijf Werelddelen, Heritage warehouse building at Handelsplein, Rotterdam, Netherlands
De Vijf Werelddelen is a rectangular warehouse building at Handelsplein in Rotterdam with red brick walls and natural stone elements. The structure is supported by over 8,000 wooden piles and cast iron columns, while its ground floor now houses restaurants, supermarkets, and shops.
The building was designed between 1875 and 1879 by G.J. Morre and Co. and served as a tax-free storage facility for transit goods. Its construction using wooden piles and iron columns was an engineering solution for the marshy ground in this port area.
The building contains five storage sections named after continents: Africa, Europe, America, Asia, and Australia. These names reflect the global trade connections that once defined this place.
The ground floor is open to visitors with cafes and shops to explore. The upper level with its original loading balcony is visible from outside and shows the historical function of this space.
The building has its own harbor, the Entrepothaven, with a 10-meter (33-foot) wide gallery featuring iron rails for portal cranes. This private port facility was once the heart of cargo movement and remains a rare feature in urban Rotterdam.
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