Steigerkerk planned as Museum Rotterdam’s new home

ROTTERDAM, 2 October 2025 – Rotterdam’s city council intends to purchase the Steigerkerk to provide Museum Rotterdam with a permanent home. The move would place the museum at a symbolic location near the historic heart of the city.

A symbolic location for the city museum

The Steigerkerk is a post-war reconstruction monument close to the dam where Rotterdam began and near the city’s first harbour. At present, Museum Rotterdam operates only from a small site at Coolhaven, with exhibitions focused on the Second World War. The new location would allow for a broader presentation of the city’s history in a central and accessible place.

Museum director Léontine Meijer-van Mensch highlighted the symbolic value of the building as both a marker of wartime destruction and of Rotterdam’s resilience. The church, once a place of gathering and ritual, would continue as a space for collective memory, but in the form of a museum.

Museum Rotterdam plans to open gradually rather than with a single launch. Early phases will include a presentation on the war years and a city timeline linked to the Canon of Rotterdam. The approach is designed to create a series of public moments, reflecting Rotterdam’s festival culture.

Design potential and vision

A study by V8 Architects concluded that the church complex is well suited for museum use. The two main halls can accommodate exhibitions and presentations, while the cloister wing could house reception and hospitality areas. The garden and arcade, together with the forecourt, provide space for visitors to linger and engage with the surroundings.

Steigerkerk planned as Museum Rotterdam’s new home

Continuity and reuse

The church and adjoining buildings are currently owned by the parish of St John, the Dominican fathers and the diocese of Rotterdam. All three are aligned in the sale process. Church officials noted that a museum use fits the building’s original role as a place of connection and reflection.

Earlier bid and next steps

The municipality made a previous offer in 2024, which was not finalised. Later, private developers who had acquired part of the site opened the door to a sale of the church and cloister to the city. The current plan requires approval by the city council, which will decide on financing through a loan to be repaid via the museum’s rent. Once confirmed, contracts can be signed and preparations can begin.