ROTTERDAM, 17 June 2025 A historic jenever distillery in Schiedam is being transformed into a boutique hotel with a coffee bar and restaurant. The new destination is set to open in 2026, bringing fresh life to a landmark industrial heritage site.

Historic Schiedam distillery to become boutique hotel

Work is set to begin on the transformation of the former Dirkzwager distillery, a listed national monument from 1861, located at the corner of Groenweegje and Noordvest in Schiedam. The site will be redeveloped into the Distillers Hotel, featuring 31 rooms, a coffee bar called STOOM, and a restaurant named STOOK.

The renovation signals a new chapter for the building, once a vital part of the city’s jenever production. Following 150 years of distilling activity, the property is being adapted into a multifunctional hospitality venue. The first foundation pile will be driven on Friday, 20 June, marking the beginning of the construction process.

Distillers Hotel to open in historic Schiedam site

A blend of heritage and hospitality

The hotel will offer rooms spread across the historical building and a newly constructed section. These will range from smaller rooms under the beams to family-sized spaces with urban views. The design will integrate industrial elements and what the developers describe as a form of ‘raw luxury’.

STOOM, located on the building's corner, will serve as the hotel’s coffee bar. Guests, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy fresh breakfasts from a small menu and light lunches made with seasonal ingredients sourced locally.

In the evening, restaurant STOOK will open in the old distillery space. Retaining original copper pipes and distillation vats, the restaurant will serve contemporary dishes influenced by French and Dutch culinary traditions. According to the project’s initiator, Dennis Boer, the establishment aims to combine three distinct experiences – hotel, café and restaurant – within one site.

Distillers Hotel to open in historic Schiedam site

Distillers Hotel to open in historic Schiedam site

A tribute to ‘Zwart Nazareth’

The development has been carefully designed to preserve the character and physical history of the distillery. Architect Gideon Peele of ARD / AtelierRuimdenkers noted that much of the original interior remains intact, including tools, vats and coal storage.

“There is still a soul in this place,” Peele said. “Turning it into offices or flats would strip it of that essence, and we didn’t want that.”

Even the dark brick of the new construction is a subtle reference to Schiedam’s industrial past. The city, once enveloped in soot from distilleries and factories, was historically referred to as ‘Zwart Nazareth’ (“Black Nazareth”).

STOOM coffee bar to open at the new Distillers Hotel in Schiedam

STOOK restaurant to open at the new Distillers Hotel in Schiedam

Part of the Dutch Distillers District vision

The opening of the Distillers Hotel is part of broader plans to regenerate the surrounding Dutch Distillers District, a former industrial zone now evolving into a mixed-use urban area. This includes space for creative work, public green zones and residential development.

Positioned prominently within this area, the hotel is expected to serve as a local landmark and focal point. Construction is underway, with the opening projected for 2026.

How to get there

The former Dirkzwager distillery stands at the intersection of Groenweegje and Noordvest in Schiedam, a short walk from the historic city centre. The area is accessible by public transport, including trams and metro from Rotterdam. Visitors can explore nearby canals, windmills and museums dedicated to jenever history.

ROTTERDAM, 15 May 2025 – A new solar park has been inaugurated in Schiebroek, marking a milestone in local sustainable energy initiatives, co-owned and partly crowdfunded by Rotterdammers.

New solar park launched in Schiebroek

A solar park in the Schiebroek business district was officially opened on Wednesday, 14 May. What distinguishes the Zonnepark Schiebroek is its ownership model: it is co-owned by local entrepreneurs, property owners, and, notably, Rotterdam residents through crowdfunding.

The project was realised in partnership with energy supplier Greenchoice and the City of Rotterdam. It is the first solar park in the city to have 50 percent of its funding sourced via crowdfunding.

Entrepreneurs aim for energy-positive business district

Back in 2015, entrepreneurs and property owners from the Schiebroek business park—organised under the Business Investment Zone (BedrijvenInvesteringsZone or BIZ)—set the ambition to become energy-positive. This objective forms part of a broader plan to future-proof the area and reduce CO₂ emissions.

Joint effort between public and private partners

The concept of a local solar park took shape in 2018, leading to the establishment of the Schiebroek Energy Cooperative (Energiecoöperatie Schiebroek). The group partnered with Greenchoice and the municipality.

Greenchoice delegated the park’s development to its subsidiary KiesZon, while the municipality granted a leasehold on the land at Landscheiding/G.K. van Hogendorpweg.

Half of project funded by citizens

Construction began in June 2023 on a 2-hectare sand depot. Local residents were invited to participate in a pre-sale phase of the crowdfunding campaign. Within three weeks, the target sum of €915,000 was reached.

Ultimately, the solar park was financed jointly by business owners, Greenchoice, KiesZon, and Rotterdam residents—making it a collaborative city effort.

First energy project with business co-ownership

Zonnepark Schiebroek is the first energy project in the city where entrepreneurs on a business park hold 50 percent ownership. The park consists of 5,400 solar panels, generating an estimated 2.25 MWh annually—enough to supply electricity to around 1,000 households.

The project forms part of wider sustainability efforts in the area. Future plans include a shared fast-charging station for lorries and vans, accessible also to local residents. Additionally, solar carports and rooftop panels are being considered across the park.

Alderman Chantal Zeegers (Climate, among other portfolios) remarked: “This solar park shows what Rotterdam can achieve when we join forces. Entrepreneurs, residents and the municipality have created something that is not only sustainable, but also contemporary and reflective of Rotterdam.”

Directions to the solar park

Zonnepark Schiebroek is located at the Landscheiding/G.K. van Hogendorpweg in the northern part of Rotterdam. The area lies between Hillegersberg and Schiebroek, and is accessible via car and bicycle routes. Public transport options include bus and tram connections from Rotterdam Centraal or Meijersplein.

ROTTERDAM, 1 May 2025 – A new sport centre, up to 450 homes and a greener central area are being planned for Overschie. The municipal executive has adopted the area development document Hart van Overschie, marking a step forward in the neighbourhood’s long-term transformation.

New homes and modern facilities planned for Overschie

Overschie is set to undergo substantial redevelopment over the coming years. The plans include a modern sport centre, hundreds of new residences and enhancements to the public space, with an emphasis on improving liveability and connectivity.

Alderman Zeegers (Housing and Construction) stated: “We are investing in housing, wellbeing and physical activity – for all generations, and together with the neighbourhood. Hart van Overschie strengthens the beating heart of the district, ensuring residents can remain even as their housing needs evolve.”

New sport centre to replace old facilities

A modern sport facility will be developed on the current site of primary school Het Podium, located on Burgemeester De Josselin de Jonglaan. The school will be relocated to Pieter van Aschstraat. The new complex will include a sport hall, an additional gymnasium and a contemporary 25-metre swimming pool to replace the ageing one currently in use. Outdoor sport amenities will be maintained and enhanced where feasible.

Housing and community spaces in Starrenburg

Starrenburg, an area with outdated school buildings on Willem Hedaweg and 2e Hogenbanweg, will provide space for up to 250 new homes. These will target both first-time buyers and older residents, helping locals to remain within the community. The municipality is exploring the possibility of assigning the homes locally. Efforts will also be made to link Sidelingepark with Albert Cuijpplantsoen, forming a green and active community centre. Additional space along 2e Hogenbanweg is allocated for social, hospitality and co-working functions.

Mixed-use development in Kouwenhoek

The Kouwenhoek industrial zone, situated on Piet Cottaarstraat and Abraham van Beyerenstraat, is earmarked for redevelopment into a mixed-use residential and work area with up to 200 new homes. Public spaces in the area will be improved, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists accessing the Schie. Landowners, developers and businesses will be engaged in shaping the area's future together with the municipality.

Next steps in planning

The Rotterdam City Council is expected to review the area development document in June. Following approval, the municipality will begin drafting a masterplan and specific site plans. Community involvement is planned to continue throughout all phases. Construction of the new sport centre and housing in Starrenburg could begin in 2028.

Directions to the planned development area

The Hart van Overschie development area stretches between the A13 motorway and the Schie river, bordered by Burgemeester De Josselin de Jonglaan, 2e Hogenbanweg and Willem Hedaweg. The location is accessible via the A13 and Rotterdamse Rijweg. The area includes current residential zones, parks and business sites.

ROTTERDAM, 16 April 2025 – A significant step forward has been made in the transformation of Rotterdam-Zuid’s Rijnhaven area, as the zoning plan has officially been declared definitive by the Council of State. With this ruling, objections raised during the consultation process have been overruled, allowing the extensive redevelopment to proceed in full.

Rijnhaven zoning plan approved, paving way for new city district

The Rijnhaven zoning plan (bestemmingsplan Rijnhaven) has been formally adopted following a final decision by the Council of State. The verdict marks the end of legal procedures and allows for the launch of one of Rotterdam’s most prominent urban renewal projects.

The redevelopment will convert the former port basin into a densely built yet green city district, with a mix of housing, public amenities and open space. The plan, previously endorsed by the municipal council, forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen the city centre on the southern bank of the Maas.

Housing and public space

Approximately 3,000 new homes will be built across various pricing categories, including social housing and market-rate properties. These will be complemented by hospitality venues, social facilities, and retail spaces at street level.

One of the most eye-catching features will be a high-rise building reaching up to 250 metres near the Nieuwe Luxor Theatre. The zoning also includes the construction of the Rijnhavenpark – a green area atop reclaimed land from the former harbour basin.

Rijnhaven zoning plan confirmed by Council of State, enabling the development of 3,000 homes, a park and public spaces in Rotterdam-Zuid.

Land reclamation progressing steadily

To prepare the area for development, more than 1.2 million cubic metres of sand have already been deposited into the basin. An additional 200,000 cubic metres will be delivered shortly by the vessel Strandway, arriving from the North Sea.

After a period of soil settlement, construction on the park and the first residential block is expected to commence in 2027. The first 200 trees for the future Rijnhavenpark are currently being cultivated at the municipal tree nursery.

Tendering to begin in 2025

The tendering process for the first construction plot, located near Rijnhaven metro station, is anticipated to start in mid-2025. This marks the next milestone in the long-term development of the Rijnhaven as part of the municipality’s designated “City Projects” programme for south Rotterdam.

Alderman Zeegers (Construction and Urban Development) stated: “With this decision, a long-standing ambition is becoming reality. The Rijnhaven is set to become a district where housing, nature and amenities are closely integrated. It is an important milestone for Rotterdam-Zuid.”

Rotterdam’s Rijnhaven gets green light for housing

Location and directions

The Rijnhaven area is situated on the southern bank of the river Maas, directly adjacent to the Wilhelminapier and within walking distance of the Erasmus Bridge. The development zone borders the Rijnhaven metro station and lies between Katendrecht and Kop van Zuid. Access is easiest via metro (line D or E), bicycle or on foot.