World Trade Center

WTC Rotterdam: from historic stock exchange to modern icon

The World Trade Center Rotterdam, located on Coolsingel and Beursplein, brings together almost a century of architecture, commerce and city history within a single complex.

The historic section is the former Beursgebouw, designed by architect J.F. Staal and built during the 1930s. Decades later, the distinctive oval glass tower was added, transforming the complex into one of the most recognisable buildings in central Rotterdam.

Today, the WTC continues to operate as a business, meeting and conference centre, while also housing a hotel and a range of other services.

The historic Beursgebouw

The commercial history of this part of Rotterdam stretches back several centuries. In 1928, a competition was organised to design a new Rotterdam Stock Exchange, eventually won by architect J.F. Staal.

Construction of the Beursgebouw began in 1936 and the building was completed around 1940. Its architecture shows clear influences of the Nieuwe Bouwen movement, although the monumental entrance on Coolsingel has a more formal appearance than other parts of the building.

The large trading hall, surrounded by office wings, became one of Rotterdam’s main centres of commercial activity for decades.

Surviving the bombing of Rotterdam

The Beursgebouw had only just been completed when Rotterdam was bombed on 14 May 1940.

Although the building was hit by seven bombs during the bombing, its robust concrete structure allowed it to survive, making it one of the few major buildings in the city centre that remained standing.

As Rotterdam’s economy expanded after the war, various extensions and adaptations were made to provide additional space for offices and commercial activities.

This combination of pre-war architecture, post-war reconstruction and later additions makes the complex particularly interesting within the architectural landscape of Coolsingel.

The World Trade Center tower

The most spectacular transformation came during the 1980s, when it was decided to expand the historic building with a modern office tower.

Designed by architect Rob van Erk of Groosman, the tower has a distinctive oval floor plan and a blue-green glass façade.

Construction of the tower began in 1984 and the new Beurs-World Trade Center complex was officially opened by Queen Beatrix on 25 November 1987.

At approximately 90 metres high, the tower created a striking contrast with the historic building below and became a visual landmark on Coolsingel.

Historic and modern architecture in one building

One of the most interesting aspects of WTC Rotterdam is the contrast between its two architectural periods.

The lower section preserves J.F. Staal’s monumental Beursgebouw, with its large trading hall, Coolsingel entrance and distinctive clock tower.

Above this historic structure rises the modern glass tower designed by Rob van Erk, creating a characteristic combination of pre-war functionalist architecture and late 20th-century commercial architecture.

WTC Rotterdam today

Today, the World Trade Center continues to operate as one of the main business centres in the heart of Rotterdam.

The complex offers offices and spaces for meetings, trade fairs, conferences and events. It also houses the Postillion Hotel & Convention Centre WTC Rotterdam, making it possible to combine accommodation, meetings and events within the same building.

Its location beside Coolsingel, Beursplein and Koopgoot also places it in one of the busiest shopping and urban areas of central Rotterdam.

WTC Rotterdam: practical information

Other buildings in Rotterdam

Belvedere | Calypso | Centraal Station | Cooltoren | De Rotterdam | De Zalmhaven | Delftse Poort | Depot | Euromast | Maastoren | Markthal | Millennium Tower