Calypso

Calypso, Design from Another Planet

Designed by the renowned English architect William Alsop, Calypso was completed in 2013. With its undulating shapes and vibrant red and orange hues, this building is practically impossible to miss.

Standing 71 meters tall with 22 floors, the complex includes 407 residential units, offices, shops, and an underground parking lot. Of the residential units, 48 are rental apartments, along with short-term housing and luxury apartments owned by residents. All rental apartments boast an exclusive and modern interior design.

History of the Calypso Building and Its Surroundings

The current Calypso building and the Pauluskerk (St. Paul’s Church) were constructed on the land where the Rijnhotel, the former Calypso Cinema, and the first Pauluskerk stood, the latter built after World War II (between 1950 and 1960).

This area marked the border between the bombed part of Rotterdam and the part that remained intact.

The Old Calypso Theater

The Calypso Theater opened its doors in the spring of 1969. Before becoming a cinema, the building served as a youth center and gymnasium, later adapted into a theater with 564 seats in its main hall.

Between 1975 and 1976, the cinema expanded with two additional screening rooms: Hall 2 with 313 seats and Hall 3 with 81 seats.

This cinema was a pioneer in Rotterdam, introducing Dolby Stereo sound and Philips’ innovative windless projection system, which eliminated the need to change film reels manually.

Calypso and the International Film Festival Rotterdam

The Calypso Theater was also the first cinema to participate in the International Film Festival Rotterdam, which was founded in 1972.

In its first edition, Calypso and ‘t Venster welcomed over 5,000 visitors. Today, the festival is the most significant film event in the Netherlands.

Urban Transformation and New Architecture

Later, between 2004 and 2007, the space operated as the Hyper Hyper nightclub.

The social situation in the area—such as the use of the former Pauluskerk as a shelter for homeless people and drug addicts—led to the decision to demolish and rebuild the complex from scratch.

New Pauluskerk: Part of the Calypso Complex

The church’s original bell has been incorporated into the new facade.

Although it no longer provides overnight shelter, the Pauluskerk remains open during the day and continues to offer social support to vulnerable individuals through various activities.

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