Rotterdamsche Bank

Rotterdamsche Bank is a post-war bank building constructed with light red brickwork and natural stone accents. Its U-shaped form bridges Coolsingel and Lijnbaan streets, featuring rounded corners and interior marble-finished vaults that supported secure banking operations.

Construction started in 1941 but was interrupted when World War II resources redirected to military projects. The building was finally completed in January 1949 as part of the city's post-war recovery.

Stone carvings by sculptor Gerard Héman decorate the facade with banking symbols and references to post-war recovery. These details reflect the optimism that marked this period of economic renewal.

The building sits conveniently between two major shopping streets in the city center and is easy to reach on foot. Interior updates from 1976-1978 adapted the space for modern use while the distinctive exterior features remain intact.

The building marks where Coolsingel originally angled before the street was later straightened toward the Maas River. This makes it a quiet marker of how the city's layout shifted over the decades.

Location: Rotterdam

Inception: 1949

Architects: Herman Friedrich Mertens

Official opening: January 6, 1949

Architectural style: reconstruction-period architecture

Part of: Top 100 of Dutch monuments 1940-1958

Address: Coolsingel 119, 3012AG Rotterdam

GPS coordinates: 51.91924,4.47938

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:04