ROTTERDAM, 1 October 2025 – On Coolsingel, the post-war department store once known for V&D and later Hudson’s Bay has taken on a new life as AIR Offices. More than just an office block, the building has been reshaped into a workplace that doubles as a stage for cultural and social activity in Rotterdam’s city centre.
Image: AIR Offices Rotterdam. Photo credit: Ossip van Duivenbode
From retail to workplace with civic role
The building’s transformation has been underway for some time. Instead of positioning itself purely as premium office space, the redevelopment was guided by a central question: how can a commercial property contribute directly to the city? The answer has been to combine offices with public programming, allowing the site to be used after office hours and by more than just tenants.
Architect Imola Bérczi (WOMO Architects) explains that flexibility was key to the redesign. The result is a mix of retail at street level, a basement for bicycles, and five floors of offices grouped around an open atrium. The atrium not only improves natural light, but also acts as a venue for gatherings and performances.
Architect Imola Bérczi of WOMO Architects explains: “We wanted to design a building that feels open and adaptable, where working spaces could easily flow into public use. The atrium brings light inside, but also creates room for gatherings.”
AIR Offices on Coolsingel has become a civic hub, blending workspace with cultural and social initiatives in the heart of Rotterdam.
Use/space partnership
To ensure the building genuinely benefits the wider community, AIR Offices works with Use/space, a platform that matches vacant offices with cultural and social organisations. Founder Mare Santema notes that many grassroots initiatives cannot afford central Rotterdam rents, while office floors often stand empty outside working hours. Through this partnership, AIR Offices is able to host groups that would otherwise be pushed to the margins.
A building already in use
The approach is visible in practice. The atrium has become a dance floor, with 170 people filling the space for a salsa evening. The rooftop has hosted painting workshops by local artists, and weekly yoga sessions bring together both tenants and neighbours. Stichting Vida has also made AIR a base for its work supporting women seeking safety and independence.
These activities show how the building functions not only as a workplace but as a platform for encounters that connect different parts of Rotterdam society.
AIR Offices on Coolsingel has become a civic hub, blending workspace with cultural and social initiatives in the heart of Rotterdam.
AIR Offices on Coolsingel has become a civic hub, blending workspace with cultural and social initiatives in the heart of Rotterdam.
More initiatives ahead
Plans are already underway for additional projects, ranging from training programmes for local minorities to shared community meals and volunteer meetings. The goal is to create a sustainable rhythm of activity that makes AIR Offices more than an address for companies, but a recognisable civic hub in the city centre.
Architectural and social legacy
The history of the site gives extra weight to its current role. Built in the post-war period, the department store was long a symbol of Rotterdam’s retail recovery. Its reuse today shows how such structures can be adapted for new needs: in this case, a workspace that also provides room for culture and social connection.
Directions
AIR Offices is located at Rodezand 46, just off Coolsingel. The building lies within walking distance of Beurs metro station and tram stops on Coolsingel and Blaak. Rotterdam Central Station is a short metro ride away. The surrounding area is the heart of the city, marked by shops, cafés and cultural institutions.
