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.

ROTTERDAM, 24 September 2025 – Rotterdam has been recognised as a 2025 IFEA World Festival & Event City. The title, awarded by the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA), was presented on 22 September during the organisation’s 70th anniversary convention in California.

International recognition

The IFEA World Festival & Event City programme recognises cities that create a strong environment for festivals and events to thrive. Assessment areas include municipal policies and processes, safety frameworks, volunteer support, and collaboration across public and private partners. Entries are reviewed by an international panel of event professionals.

This marks the fourth time Rotterdam has received the distinction, following earlier awards in 2010, 2015 and 2019. The repeat recognition underscores the city’s long-term focus on connection, inclusion and innovation across its cultural calendar.

Rotterdam Festivals accepts award

Rotterdam Festivals accepted the award in Palm Springs on behalf of the city. In its motivation, the jury praised Rotterdam’s community leadership and commitment to “creating a positive local climate that encourages and grows festivals and events,” adding that “Rotterdam sets the standard for others in our sector worldwide.”

Working year-round with organisers, venues and public partners, Rotterdam Festivals supports a diverse and city-wide festival ecosystem and connects audiences with culture.

About the IFEA and Rotterdam Festivals

The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) is a global professional body for festival and event leaders. Its annual Convention & Expo is the sector’s flagship gathering; the 70th anniversary edition took place 22–24 September 2025 in Palm Springs, where the 2025 World Festival & Event City awards were presented.

Rotterdam Festivals is the independent foundation that coordinates Rotterdam’s festival policy and supports organisers across the city to strengthen the festival landscape and audience engagement.

ROTTERDAM, 30 September 2025 – The Euromast, one of Rotterdam’s best-known landmarks, returns to the spotlight through the memories of architect Huig Maaskant’s son, Ronald. Now 80 years old, he reflects on his father’s vision and the family ties to this iconic tower.

A family memory cast in concrete

The Euromast was designed by Rotterdam-born architect Huig Maaskant and completed in 1960 for the Floriade. Ronald Maaskant recalls standing as a boy in the massive concrete foundation of the tower, which used two million kilos of concrete and 131 piles. “On one of those piles, my name was written. Every week we checked whether the tower had grown another metre.”

From Floriade plan to skyline symbol

Huig Maaskant originally described the Euromast as “a pin in the park,” an idea that came to life thanks to the international horticultural exhibition. According to Ronald, the tower was the exception in his father’s otherwise functional portfolio: “He mostly designed practical buildings. The Euromast was different – it was meant to put Rotterdam on the map.”

A return to the crow’s nest

In September 2025, the Maaskant family returned to the tower, enjoying lunch at the top and a new immersive show on the ground floor. “A film takes you through Rotterdam’s history, including a flood scene that made us wobble on our feet,” Ronald said. Looking out from the crow’s nest, he reflected on the city’s transformation since the post-war years: “From the skyline you see how much has changed since everything was rebuilt.”

Huig Maaskant’s architectural legacy

Beyond the Euromast, Huig Maaskant shaped post-war Rotterdam with buildings such as the Groothandelsgebouw, Hilton Hotel, Industriegebouw and the Lijnbaan flats. His work remains closely linked to the city’s reconstruction identity.

Euromast remembered by architect’s family

The Euromast of today

The tower has continued to evolve. The later addition of the Space Tower extended its height to 185 metres. Today, visitors can dine in the brasserie, stay overnight in suites, or take the Euroscoop glass lift to the top. For thrill-seekers, abseiling from 100 metres is now an option – something Ronald describes as “completely crazy, and at the same time marvellous that it is possible.”

Remembering the man behind the tower

Huig Maaskant (1907–1977) studied architecture in Rotterdam and played a major role in rebuilding the city after the Second World War. While he was known for functional structures, the Euromast remains his most recognisable design. For Ronald and his family, the tower is more than an architectural landmark: “It is like a pin on your lapel. Everyone recognises it. Driving in from the A13, you say: there is the Euromast, we’re almost home.”

ROTTERDAM, 2 September 2025 – Teams will soon be dashing through Rotterdam’s public transport network, tracking down mysterious “vossen” (foxes) in a fast-paced challenge with €5,000 at stake. RET’s latest OV-race brings together city exploration, teamwork, and a shot at winning money for a local club or cause.

Teams invited to join RET’s OV-race on 9 October

The OV-race, now in its seventh edition, will take place on Thursday 9 October 2025. Teams of two to four people will gather at Station Blaak at 18:30, where they will receive a special travel kit. From there, the race is on.

Inside each team’s reispakket (travel pack) are six mysterious photo clues, a RET travel card, a stamp card, team clothing, and some light snacks. The goal? Use the photos to find six undercover RET employees—called “vossen” (foxes)—who are hidden in plain sight somewhere on the RET network.

Teams must work together to decode the clues, plan their route across the city, and use metro, tram and bus to reach each fox. There’s no fixed order, but time is tight. Each fox will stamp the team’s card as proof of discovery.

More than just a race

Along the way, teams will complete two small photo challenges and record a short vlog (max 15 seconds) introducing the club or cause they’re racing for. Organisers will track progress using a live-location group chat, but the rest is up to the teams’ creativity, energy and navigation skills.

To win, a team must:
– Find and stamp all six foxes
– Complete both photo assignments
– Submit their vlog
– Arrive at the finish line—together

The first team to meet all the criteria will win €5,000, which goes directly to the club, team, or charity they are representing. A casual celebration for all participants will follow the race.

How to sign up

Teams can register via the Aardig Onderweg website. The form asks for:
– Names of 2 to 4 team members
– Club or cause the team is supporting
– Whether participants are RET staff or public
– A logo for the team clothing

All participants must be available from 18:30 to 21:30 on race day and agree to the terms and privacy policy. The deadline to sign up has not yet been announced, but spots are limited.

Want to join or learn more about the event? Full details, the registration form, and past editions of the OV-race can be found at: https://aardigonderweg.nl/ 

Why it matters to Rotterdam

The OV-race is part of RET’s “Aardig Onderweg” campaign, which focuses on sustainable travel and giving back to the local community. The event invites people to engage with the city in an unexpected way, using everyday public transport to explore lesser-known locations and support grassroots initiatives.

Rotterdammers who love the metro, enjoy a puzzle, or want to do something active for a good cause will find the OV-race a unique experience that combines city life with teamwork and fun.