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Downtown / Residential High-Rise
Rotterdam
More information
Downtown / Residential High-Rise
Rotterdam
More information
In the center of Rotterdam, we designed Downtown Rotterdam as a unique residential building. A sturdy “city” building with a stepped tower volume on top. It is located in a street that was historically an extension of the Coolsingel. At that time, it was still part of the bustling center of Rotterdam. However, after the war, the neighborhood became a quiet mixed neighborhood next to the center. Commercial buildings characterized this neighbourhood. Local entrepreneurs who wanted to rebuild the city built these buildings. This activity has continued in the bustling Witte de With street with its many restaurants, hotels and galleries. The old commercial buildings are now being transformed one by one into residential buildings such as “Downtown” and give the area a lively character.
The design of Downtown
We designed the building with a sturdy concrete plinth, a stepped tower on top of it and a spectacular seven-meter cantilever, hidden at its ‘rear’. With this we aim to create a residential building that does justice to the diligence and independence that has characterized the quiet neighbourhood. It also offers residents affordable apartments with austere luxury without frills. It provides space for social housing, a care unit for vulnerable people and a commercial plinth. In the tower there is room for middle class – and some more expensive – apartments.
We designed Downtown Rotterdam as a residential community with a rich mix of housing types: residential work, independent care homes, maisonettes, studios, 2-3 room apartments and penthouses. It offers space for young and old as well as rich and poor, located near the city center and high-quality public transport. The tower is designed with large windows all around and large outdoor spaces up to 2.4 m deep. Roof terraces with greenery make living in the city noticeable, a new form of luxury that urban residents consider important. The design and housing program reflects the city of Rotterdam: varied, tough and quirky.
Read more about Downtown housing here.