ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

SCHIEBLOCK

ZUS (ZONES URBAINES SENSIBLES), -2009, Schiekade 189, Rotterdam

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Willem Verschoor sr.
Willem Verschoor jr.
ZUS (Zones Urbaines Sensibles)

BUILDING TYPE:
Office buildings
Reuse


RELATED BUILDINGS:
Luchtsingel

Plans for the large-scale redevelopment of the area between the railway line and the high-rise along Weena as far as the Rotterdam Central District business centre came to nothing after the 2008 financial crisis. To stem rising vacancy rates and the decline of the area, ZUS developed a strategy for temporary occupancy of the empty Schieblock office, and for a new ‘air bridge’ connection with the former Hofplein station on the other side of the railway line. An array of creative enterprises set up shop in the Schieblock and partly due to the success of that venture, the temporary use was extended by five years in 2014. Thanks to Stadsinitiatief, a municipal grant scheme decided by public ballot, a wooden bridge was built right through the Schieblock to Hofbogen, including a park on the Pompenburg wasteland, and a link was made with the redevelopment of the Hofplein viaduct, abandoned since 2012.