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ROTTERDAMSCHE BANK ROTTERDAM

H.F. MERTENS, 1941-1949, Coolsingel 119, Rotterdam

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Herman Mertens

ARTIST:
Gerard Héman
Andries Copier
Pieter Starreveld

EXTENSION:
Kraaijvanger Architecten
A.J.B. van de Graaf

BUILDING TYPE:
Office buildings

The groundbreaking ceremony for these bank premises in 1941 was the starting shot for the post-war reconstruction programme. They were only completed in 1949 following the temporary ban on office building. One of the few buildings erected in the more traditional style of Witteveen's rejected reconstruction plan, it follows the old building line of Coolsingel which was deflected towards Schiedamse Vest before the war. The oblong building with rounded corners contains office space in a U-shape round a double-height hall on the ground floor. The gently pitched roof is copper-clad. Pieter Starreveld's sculpture ('Peace and Prosperity') originally graced the https://www.architectureguide.nl/project/item/prj_id/18" class="inline_link">Incassobank on Blaak.