View the NOS report from 2014 here (only in Dutch)
It's time for a party! On March 13, 2024, the current Rotterdam Central Station will celebrate its tenth anniversary. Pretty special, right? Rotterdam Central Station is much more than a hub for public transport travellers. It is an iconic example of modern architecture and a real eye-catcher!
There are a lot of fun facts about Rotterdam Central Station. It has been nicknamed “Station Kapsalon” thanks to its aluminum roof. This is a reference to those aluminum containers filled with fries, shawarma and cheese that you eat on Saturday evening after a night out.
Another fun fact is that the new station has retained some elements of the old station. One that cannot be missed is the large clock on the facade. In addition, two old sculptures ('the speculaasjes') have been placed above the tunnels.
But what is perhaps most important is that Rotterdam Central Station is extremely appreciated among travelers. In fact, Rotterdam Central station is the most valued station in South Holland! This is evident from the Station Experience Monitor 2022, an independent study by I&O research on behalf of NS and ProRail.
On Thursday, March 13, 2014, the new Rotterdam Central Station officially opened its doors to the public, after a construction period of ten years. Thousands of people were present during the opening, including King Willem-Alexander, who officially opened the station. There were various festivities in honour of the opening.
Mayor Aboutaleb was also present. During an interview with the NOS, he spoke about the large turnout: "I find it fascinating. I honestly didn't expect so many people to be there, because the station has been in use in this form for a while." When asked why he thinks so many people came, he replied: "A collective feeling of receiving something beautiful for our city."
In 2003, Team CS was founded, which consists of a partnership between Benthem Crouwel Architekten, MVSA (Meyer en van Schooten Architecten) and West 8. These three architectural firms worked together to transform Central Station into a new, impressive building. hub of the city.
The team worked from their shared office in the Groot Handelsgebouw - the perfect place to have full focus on the design that would be located on the same square. Together they have created an icon of the city that is on par with what we find in major world cities.
The old Central Station - designed by Sybold van Ravesteyn - was replaced by a new design by Team CS. A necessary transformation, because with the growth of Rotterdam, the old station no longer met the wishes and requirements of its users, such as capacity and design.
With no less than 46,000 m², it is an important central hub that offers space for high-speed connections that travel through Europe, trains to all corners of the country and a meeting place for everyone.
The design of the Central Station in Rotterdam is special. We can divide the building, which forms one whole, into two. The main entrance is impressive and has a shiny, stainless steel look that refers to the glittering River Maas. The other part, the north side, is mainly high and light, and spans 250 meters over the platform where the trains arrive and depart.
When you enter the main entrance you are overwhelmed by the high ceilings, the many windows and the wooden furnishings. Once checked in at the gates, you enter a long hall of shops, which alternate with stairs to the platforms.
In addition to its impressive design, Central Station is also an example of sustainable architecture. The station uses energy-efficient technologies and is designed with environmental friendliness and energy savings in mind.
For example, more than 130,000 solar panels have been installed on the roof covering, accounting for approximately 10,000 m² of the total 28,000 m² roof surface. This takes into account where the most sunlight comes and the high-rise buildings that will be built around the station in the coming years. Thanks to this use of solar panels, CO2 emissions for energy consumption at the station have been reduced by eight percent.
Of course, plenty of fun is also organized in honour of the tenth anniversary of Rotterdam Central Station. Below we share three great tips!
From March 8 to 17 you can enjoy surprise performances in the station hall of Rotterdam Central Station. Codarts Rotterdam and Cult North present various artists from their community during these performances.
Especially for the tenth anniversary, Het Onverharde Pad is organizing a fully catered walk together with Kongsi, followed by lunch in the Rotterdam Centraal Gallery. It takes place on Saturday, March 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and tickets cost 15 euros.
Although we pass countless strangers at the station every day in anonymity, we are more deeply connected than it seems at first glance. Kongsi asked photographer Michelle Urbiztondo and word artist Wessel Klootwijk to capture beautiful stories in a ten-part portrait series. You can admire these from March 11 to 15 between Hema and Spoor 2 and 3 and in Dudok Rotterdam aan de Meent.
Are you also proud of our Rotterdam Central Station?