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.
