Architecture Rotterdam #5: Westermeijer, first high-rise building of Europe

Renewed Appreciation

After a lovely week of camping in the Belgian Ardennes (might be sharing in upcoming posts), I just came home to Steemit blogging and the pictures I had already prepared for my next post. And those few days of camping, nature, hiking, sunsets over flowery meadows, cold nights and damp mornings and wonderful sunny spring weather, and the whole primitive lifestyle that goes with living in a tent - they definitely gave me a fresh perspective on my home environment. Feeling, as we drove back into Rotterdam last night, that this really is quite an impressive place to live. Lol.

I know there are cities around the world with millions and millions of people living in it. My city, with only a bit more than 630.000 inhabitants, is just a tiny one compared. But then, after those villages in Ardennes where the sign posts tell you where the closest soccer practice field is, because there is nothing else noteworthy to put on the signboards - Rotterdam feels like a metropolis to me.

Top of the Westermeijer building, or 'het Witte Huis' (the White House)

Europe's first

Still, even though there are cities so large Rotterdam would look like a village compared - there is more than just size that makes a place memorable. For example, Rotterdam is home to a building which was the very first of its kind, in all of Europe, at the time it was built. The Westermeijer or Witte Huis (White House), designed by Willem Molenbroek and completed in 1898, was the first high-rise building of the continent. With its 10 storeys and its unprecedented height, critics argued the soft Rotterdam soil would never support the structure, so a lot of effort was put into creating a strong foundation and the materials used for the Westermeijer are mainly iron, steel and concrete and very little wood, which is exceptional for buildings from that time.

View on Westermeijer from the Oude Haven, with the Willemsbrug (Red Bridge) in the back.

Back to 2018

However impressive the Westermeijer was at the time it was built, now it's not its height that matters most. It is one of the very few buildings in Rotterdam which survived the bombings of World War 2, and as such is one of the few reminders that this city is quite a bit older than its architecture sometimes suggests. Now the White House stands out for its historical appearance, located right in the middle of a lot of modern architecture.

Old and new: the Westermeijer next to its modern day neighbours, which are a lot higher than the hotel, even if this pictures perspective doesn't really show that.

1 meter above sea level

The location of the Westermeijer building, with the construction site being just 1 meter above sea level, was a challenge for its constructors. They put 1000 piles in the ground before they started building, to find the necessary support for the 43 meter high hotel. They did a great job, apparently - the building is still standing strong!

Surrounded by water

With some lovely boats lying in the harbour in front

The clock on the building is visible to me from my home, and I always check it to see whether I should be biking relaxed or a bit more fast to be in time for work :)

A visit to the White House

The day I went over to take some pictures was a holiday, and the building was closed. But you can take an elevator to the top and have a lovely view of Rotterdam. I definitely have to try that another time. I'm sure they serve some nice coffee too!

Westermeijer with its terrace below

Closed for the day

Even if you don't go inside, it's a lovely area for taking a stroll!

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Architecture Rotterdam

When people talk about the Netherlands, they always mention our capitol Amsterdam, but are much less aware of our second largest city Rotterdam. Which was hit very hard by World War II, and has a lot of modern art compared to other Dutch cities. There's a lot of great architecture here, and with these posts I hope to bring it to your attention!

Earlier posts in this series:

• Markthallen
• Willemsbrug (Red Bridge)
• Kubuswoningen
• The Red Apple

All content is created by me, and Steemit original.
Camera used: Canon G7X