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Rotterdam's iconic Euromast tower sold to French M56 Group

Bryan van Putten city news 01 April 2020

ROTTERDAM, 25 March 2020 - Rotterdam's iconic Euromast tower has been sold to a French family business called the M56 Group; an international organization specializing in high-altitude tourist attractions.

Almost 20 years ago, Willem Tieleman started operating the Euromast, an iconic silhouette in the skyline of Rotterdam. In 2016, it was time for a new step; becoming the owner of the imposing structure. Investments that were not made before that time could now take place in full; a renovation and a thorough revamping of its interior. The renewed Euromast welcomed many new visitors; in 2019 there were approximately 560,000 visitors, a record number.

Rotterdam has now become an international city, partly due to investments in such architectural highlights as the Markthal and De Rotterdam by Rem Koolhaas. The more interesting the surroundings become, the more interesting it becomes to view them from above. The Euromast is the right place for this, now even more than before.

The new owner of the Euromast, the French family business called "M56", is specialized in high altitude tourist attractions. This organization includes the Montparnasse Tower in Paris, the TV Tower in Berlin and 2 observation towers in the United States. A major international player, who like no other is able to give the Euromast the prestige it deserves.

After almost 20 years it is time for Willem Tieleman to pass on the baton. "M56 is the perfect successor for our Euromast, because they are able not only to think big, but also to invest big. The developments they have in mind will raise the international prestige of Rotterdam in general and the Euromast in particular as an attraction to unprecedented heights" Willem Tieleman said.

Alexia Vettier, CEO of the M56 Group is extremely happy and proud that the Euromast is now part of the organization. "Since the creation of the Group in 1974, Mr Jean Bernard and Mr JP Ferroud, the founders of the Company have always looked for iconic and atypical sites in cities full of energy and that have things to tell. Euromast is the perfect candidate to join the 4 observatories of the M56 Group and to accompany its international development. Together with Euromast, we will be keen to magnify this vibrant city of Rotterdam and to provide both residents and tourists with a unique experience of the city as seen from the top."

Anime, cosplay, games and more at TomoFair Rotterdam 2020

Bryan van Putten city news 09 March 2020

After Nijmegen, Amsterdam and Utrecht, the largest indoor Japanese market in the Netherlands arrived in Rotterdam for the third time! Gaming, Japanese merchandise, anime, cosplay and manga as well as hundreds of metres of stalls, many playable consoles and various activities and shows.

The fair is growing more every year. This year, in an almost sold out Lijsterhal, there are more exhibitors compared to previous years. So even more anime merchandise. Thanks to the new layout, they have more room for TomoTaste and extra stalls have been added. This means various stalls with Japanese cooking! Delicious Japanese crêpes, Takoyaki, Yakitori, Japanese shaved ice, various fresh noodles dishes and more. There is also a variety of Japanese drinks.

Besides a lot of shopping, there are also various shows, demonstrations, workshops and other facilities. One of them is a photographer. He ensures that you are beautifully photographed (with or without cosplay). Alone or with your friends. And for the first time there is a four-player DDR setup, a Super Smash tournament, more than twenty retro consoles, a retro LAN and various card and board games, both free-play and tournaments.

The people behind the Tomo Foundation have been organizing events since 2013 to promote Japanese culture. The foundation was founded in September 2013 by three friends who already know each other from the first year of secondary school. Friendship, meeting and connecting are central to all their events. "Tomo" means "friend" in Japanese (freely translated).

Did you become curious? Next year TomoFair will be in Rotterdam on Saturday, February 20, 2021.

TomoFair Rotterdam 2020 📷 Nikki Smits

This May: travel directly by train from Rotterdam to London

Bryan van Putten city news 25 February 2020

As of May 2020, the high-speed train from Rotterdam to London will travel directly to England. Until now, Eurostar travellers still had to change trains to Brussels-Midi.

On 18 May, the first direct train will depart from Rotterdam. From 18 May there will also be a passport control in Rotterdam. The train journey from Rotterdam to London will now be a lot shorter than before, due to the elimination of border control in Brussels. Passengers boarding in Rotterdam take 3.5 hours to travel to London.

You can find one-way tickets starting at 40 euros.

Rotterdam Centraal Station is voted best in the region

Bryan van Putten city news 25 February 2020

Transportation

Rotterdam Centraal is the best-appreciated train station in our region. In the annual 'Station Experience Monitor' of the NS (Dutch Railways), the station receives a score of 7.8. This also makes it the best rated central station in the Netherlands. A title it shares with Arnhem Central Station.

NS has been conducting research into passenger satisfaction with stations for some time now. At larger stations this is done several times a year. Smaller stations do so once a year.

According to the researchers, travellers have started to appreciate their train station more and more. In 2014, 64 percent of those surveyed gave their station a rating of 7 or higher. Now that's 77 percent.

Lage Zwaluwe station has the lowest rating. That station received a 5.9. That is a fraction lower than, for example, Dordrecht-Zuid and Rotterdam-Alexander, which receive the same rating rounded off.

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra performs Harry Potter

Marcel Kamphuis city news 23 January 2020

If you've ever wanted to experience a magical evening with fellow Potter fans, this is the way to do it, in the large concert hall of De Doelen in Rotterdam. Tonight, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra performs the music of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Since 2016, the Harry Potter in Concert series has been organized in Rotterdam with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. The Harry Potter live events follow each other in rapid succession. While the Goblet of Fire film was still being played in May, today, the Order of the Phoenix is already being performed for the fifth time.

The evening starts with bad news: Unfortunately, conductor Justin Vrijer had to cancel the concert due to family circumstances. Fortunately, the organization has succeeded in finding a good replacement in Ernst van Tiel in the short term. 'Much of the original music was eventually cut out of the film. Today you get to hear the music as it was intended', he tells the audience before they start.