Groothandelsgebouw, Office building and monument near Central Station, Rotterdam, Netherlands
The Groothandelsgebouw is an office building and monument near Rotterdam Central Station that stretches about 220 meters long across roughly 11 stories. The structure houses hundreds of companies, meeting rooms, restaurants and shops organized around three internal courtyards that bring light and air into the complex.
The building rose in 1953 as the first major construction project in Rotterdam after wartime destruction, designed by architects including Hugh Maaskant. Its completion marked a turning point in how the city rebuilt itself using modern methods and materials.
The building reflects post-war optimism through its concrete design and regular column structure that creates spaces for people to meet and work together. This layout shows how architects believed in rebuilding a community after the destruction of conflict.
The building offers five marked entrances that make it easy to find your way around the various sections inside and connects directly to Rotterdam Central Station. You will find restaurants and shops throughout, so it is simple to take breaks or get oriented while exploring.
The rooftop once held Cinema Kriterion starting in 1961, which used a retractable screen that would slide away to reveal sweeping views of the city when the movie was not playing. This combined the experience of watching films with the pleasure of looking out over Rotterdam.
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