Hoofdpostkantoor

Postkantoor Rotterdam: the historic post office on Coolsingel

The former Postkantoor Rotterdam, located on Coolsingel beside Rotterdam City Hall, is one of the most impressive historic buildings in the city centre.

Designed by Gustav Cornelis Bremer and built between 1915 and 1922, the building combines historicist architecture with Art Deco details. The sculptural reliefs on the façades were created by Joop van Lunteren.

The building is protected as a Dutch national monument, or Rijksmonument, and was one of the major buildings on Coolsingel to survive the bombing of Rotterdam in 1940.

A spectacular 23-metre-high hall

Behind its monumental façade lies one of Rotterdam’s most impressive historic interiors: a vast central hall approximately 23 metres high.

Its vaulted roof allows natural light to enter from above, while the interior preserves many original decorative elements. The former public service counters were integrated into the walls and decorated with natural stone, glass, sculpture and wrought iron.

The monumental central hall is one of the most important parts of the building and plays a central role in its transformation into POST Rotterdam.

From post office to Rotterdam landmark

This was not Rotterdam’s first main post office. Before the Coolsingel building opened, the city’s principal postal facilities were located elsewhere in the centre, including Blaak and, earlier, Wijnhaven.

When the existing facilities became too small, the city decided to construct a new central post office on Coolsingel. The redevelopment of this part of Rotterdam also involved the disappearance of the old Zandstraat district, an area once known for its densely packed housing and nightlife.

During this period, Coolsingel was transformed into one of Rotterdam’s principal urban boulevards. Monumental buildings such as the new post office and the nearby City Hall became part of a new civic centre for the rapidly growing city.

The transformation into POST Rotterdam

The building continued to serve as a post office until 2008. After its closure, several proposals were considered for the future of the enormous historic complex.

The building is now being transformed as part of POST Rotterdam, one of the most ambitious redevelopment projects in the city centre. The project combines the restoration of the former post office with a new residential tower rising behind and above the historic structure.

The redevelopment was designed by ODA New York in collaboration with Braaksma & Roos Architectenbureau, with the aim of preserving the most important monumental elements while introducing contemporary architecture and new public uses.

A five-star hotel in the former post office

One of the main elements of the redevelopment is the transformation of the historic building into a five-star Kimpton hotel.

The hotel is planned to have 238 rooms, as well as a restaurant, bar, meeting rooms and a fitness centre. Its main entrance will be located on Stadhuisstraat.

The monumental central halls will also regain a public role, with shops, restaurants, bars and other public spaces helping reconnect the building with Coolsingel and the surrounding city centre.

A new 155-metre tower

The transformation of the Postkantoor also includes a spectacular residential tower built above the former expedition courtyard at the rear of the building, beside Rodezand.

The tower rises to 155 metres and contains 305 apartments. Its design uses arches and façade elements inspired by the historic post office, creating a visual connection between the early 20th-century monument and Rotterdam’s contemporary skyline.

With this redevelopment, POST Rotterdam combines one of Coolsingel’s most important historic buildings with the modern high-rise architecture that has become characteristic of the city.

Postkantoor Rotterdam: practical information

Other monuments in Rotterdam

Bibliotheek | Groot Handelsgebouw | Hotel New York | Kubuswoningen | Schielandshuis | Sint-Laurenskerk | ss Rotterdam | Stadhuis | Van Nelle | Watertoren | Witte Huis