Guided Tour: The Industriegebouw

If there is one building that reflects the progressive style of the rebuilding period of Rotterdam, it would definitely be the Industriegebouw that is standing along the Goudsesingel.

This unique business complex from 1952 was especially designed by architects Maaskant en Van Tijen for the modern, postwar city, just like its big brother the Groothandelsgebouw. Their plan was to gather all sorts of different purposes under the same roof. In the Industriegebouw they created space for big and small offices, houses for the concierges and shops in the plinth, that were cleverly supplied via the internal expedition line in the back.

It was in 2015 that private investors discovered the by then quite dilapidated building and decided to fully restore it, creating a second life for all its original functions. The necessities of then, still correspond with today’s wishes: there is still a need for big and small offices and there are many young entrepreneurs opting for a retail space in the plinth. After the renovation the Industriegebouw became a hub for everything that has to do with a modern urban lifestyle: hot design stores, art galleries, a coffee bar and several good restaurants. If you pay close attention you’ll see that the beautiful architecture of the Industriegebouw is well visible in all of their various interiors.

Interested in experiencing the Industriegebouw yourself? In a tour of an hour a professional UrbanGuide will take you from the modernist lobby to the hidden expedition line and shows you the beautiful balconies, that resemble the deck of a cruise ship. Together you’ll pay a visit to the several entrepreneurs who make the Industriegebouw flourish like never before. Before starting the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to drink a cup of coffee or tea at By Jarmusch and afterwards you’ll be able to linger and closer explore all the shops and restaurants by yourself.