Van Nelle

In 1916, the Van Nelle company purchased a factory on the banks of the Schie River, outside of Rotterdam. Nine years later, they began constructing a tobacco factory, which was completed in 1931 and still maintains a modern appearance today.

The architects Johannes Brinkman and Leendert van der Vlugt were commissioned by the owner, Erven de wed. J van Nelle, a coffee, tea, and tobacco manufacturer, to design the factory. It is widely recognized as one of the prime examples of the Nieuwe Bouwen movement, known for its functional approach, originating from Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

The factory complex comprises interconnected buildings and represents a prominent achievement in 20th-century industrial architecture.

After Van Nelle ceased production in 1995, the factory’s owner at that time, Sara Lee/DE, in collaboration with local authorities and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, sought ways to repurpose the buildings. They adopted Eric Gude’s idea from Property Conversion to transform the site into a creative factory. The Van Nelle Factory was then acquired by CV Van Nelle Ontwerpfabriek (Design Factory), establishing the “Van Nelle community.”

Between 1999 and 2006, the factory underwent a comprehensive renovation, with Wessel de Jonge serving as the coordinating architect. The redesign was handled by Claessens Erdmann architectural firm.

In 2008, the Van Nelle Ontwerpfabriek was honored with the Europa Nostra Conservation Award, the highest recognition for preserving European cultural heritage, bestowed by the European Union.

In 2014, the Van Nelle Factory was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today, the complex houses communication and design companies, as well as serving as a venue for various events, including conferences, parties, and exhibitions.

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