Schiedamsedijk

Before the war, Schiedamsedijk was a narrow street filled with stores, sailors' bars, hotels and places of prostitution. During the bombing, almost the entire street was destroyed except for a few buildings (the GGD building and the Bijenkorf).

In the new plan for Rotterdam, there was no more room for this kind of nightlife. The Schiedamsedijk was rebuilt, but now only on one side of the street; the other side bordered the Leuvehaven. The road itself was widened and continued as an extension of Coolsingel, making it an important traffic route through the center.

The new buildings on the west side consisted of apartments and offices, with stores on the ground floor. Because of the width of the street, the buildings became tall with up to five stories.

Architect Henk Hupkes and civil engineer Willem Cornelis van Asperen worked together on several housing projects in the city. Hupkes later designed churches, such as the Morgensterkerk and the Immanuel Church. Van Asperen remained primarily active in residential construction and often worked together with Guido Hallema.

Fun facts

• The partially protruding roof is characteristic of Reconstruction architecture.
• The buildings behind the residential block contrast nicely: the White Cool Tower on the left is 154 meters high. Two additional towers are still under construction behind the housing.