Coopvaert

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Until 1940, the area around the Leuvehaven was Rotterdam’s leading centre of trade and shipping. In the vicinity of this harbour built at the beginning of the 17th century were many stately merchants’ palaces inhabited by such heroic figures as Piet Heyn and Maarten Tromp. Coming soon to this historically significant location on the Wijnhaven (a harbour perpendicular to the Leuvehaven) and located between the Chamber of Commerce and the Maritime Museum Rotterdam, on the square where Zadkine’s sculpture commemorates the devastating bombardment of 1940, is a stately highrise apartment and office tower: De Coopvaert. The municipality’s latest plans call for including Blaak (the street on which De Coopvaert will be built) in the area along the River Maas which is designated as Waterfront Rotterdam. This area will soon become Rotterdam’s urban tourist and recreation centre.

With its height of 104 metres, the new building will be a powerful counterpoint to other nearby towers such as the Fortis Bank and Robeco buildings. The timeless elegance of De Coopvaert will contribute considerably to the area’s new élan without overshadowing the history and tradition of the place as represented by the adjoining and recently renovated historic building at Blaak 40 that accommodates the Chamber of Commerce, and the 17th-century Schielandhuis that houses a historic museum on the other side of the square. The new tower will also be an exciting factor in unifying the block of buildings at the corner of Blaak and Plein 1940.

In plan view, the building is a rectangle to which a smaller rectangle (representing the oriels) is added to each of its four sides. Viewed from the side, the tower is a powerful collection of vertical elements topped by a staggered rooftop unit. Verticality as the leitmotiv is carried through to the detailing of the façade composition: the projecting oriels divide the façades into tall narrow surfaces further accentuated by double semicircular pilasters. Elements that would normally interrupt verticality such as casement windows, doors, and balustrades are lined up vertically on this piece of architecture.

The exterior walls are covered in sand-coloured prefab concrete elements except for the four highest stories where white elements are used. The white marble aggregate added to these upper elements gives the top of the tower a radiant snowy-white appearance. The rest of the façade is kept as transparent as possible to emphasise the tower’s residential function.

At street level, the building is partially screened by a free-standing blue Belgian limestone pergola that acts as a windscreen and is connected to the building by a glass roof. The parking garage is accommodated in a separate volume to the rear of the building accessible from the tower by means of a glass-enclosed walkway.

On the side of the building facing Blaak, the façade is supported by three slender columns 30 metres in height behind which the entrances are set back. The recessed façade is differentiated here by gleaming arabescato marble. An entrance with a glass-enclosed turnstile gives access to the elegant entrance lobby where the lifts to the offices and apartments are located. With its monumental spaciousness and high level of finishing, the character of this lobby forms an overture to the stories located above. The completely glass-enclosed lifts allow the user to experience the building again in a unique way while contributing to a feeling of security.

2 years ago

Leo added company Ballast Nedam
2 years ago

Leo added company Dura Vermeer
2 years ago