Kop van Zuid

WILHELMINAPIER, WILHELMINAPLEIN

After passing the Erasmus Bridge, I reached Kop van Zuid, a new neighbourhood built on old port areas opposite downtown, on the south bank of Nieuwe Maas. It includes Wilhelmina Pier, a very narrow peninsula where you can find the tallest buildings. Kop van Zuid is famous for its brand new architecture, including futuristic skyscrapers. The 3 tallest building in the Netherlands are situated on Kop van Zuid, and even taller ones are planned. The most famous building is Hotel New York, the historic building that served as the emmigration terminal for boats to America.

Kop van Zuid skyline from the left: Toren op Zuid, De Rotterdam (u/c), New Orleans, Montevideo and World Port Centre.

Toren op Zuid, De Rotterdam and Montevideo seen from Erasmusbrug.

Toren op Zuid from year 2000 has a cool leaning design and features lighting schemes on the exterior that forms different patterns. Desinged by Renzo Piano.

Toren op Zuid from another angle with the pole that pierce the building body.

Erasmusbrug and city center seen from Kop van Zuid.

Maastoren to the left (165m to the roof) is currently Rotterdam’s tallest. It was built in 2010 and has 45 floors. To the right of it is Wilhelminatoren from 1997.

Maastoren (165m to the roof) is currently Rotterdam’s and Netherland's tallest building. It was built in 2010 and has 45 floors.

Nieuwe Luxor Theater. A building for concerts and movies. Famous bands like Dutch Within Temptation has played there.

New Orleans. Completed in 2010, 2nd tallest (158m) in the Netherland’s, and the tallest residential building in the country. And warehouse looking residential buildings.

De Rotterdam, a mixed use skyscraper under construction May 2012. Will be completed in 2013 (149m tall).

Rendering of how Kop van Zuid will look when completed in the future.

Nederlandse Fotomuseum (Netherlands Photo Museum).

Montevideo.

De Rotterdam (u/c), Photo museum and New Orleans.

Note the boat chimneys to the right on Wilhelminapier.

Hotel New York, the former ferry terminal for the Holland-America line. It was built in 1903 and later transformed into a hotel.

The singer Dutch Anouk wrote her album “Hotel New York” here.

World Port Centre, the first skyscraper in the area, designed by Norman Foster.

Skyline of the Maritime Quarters and the west part of the city center and people relaxing on sun chairs on Kop van Zuid.

Vilhelminapier on the eastern edge of Kop van Zuid: World Port Center, Hotel New York and Montevideo.

Hotel New York was the former ferry terminal for the Holland-America line.

Reminders of America on Hotel New York's exterior.

Montevideo, Netherlands’s tallest building upon completion in 2005 (now 3rd). 152m tall to the top of the “M” sign. Was also Netherland’s tallest residential building until 2010. It was designed by Mecanoo architects. I made illustrations for the book that was printed for the release of this tower!

The base of Montevideo and Posthumalaan to the right.

Modern towers along Posthumalaan.

The green highrises from 2010 are called Cité I and II.

Rotterdam and Erasmus Bridge was part of Tour de France in 2010.

Maastoren, Netherland's tallest building, has a tone that goes from black to white (on the top).

Wilhelminaplein.

A small galleria at Wilhelminaplein.

Wilhelminaplein metro station.

A tram in front of city center’s waterfront skyline.

Laan op Zuid with De Compagnie buildings.

One of the silver trams on Wilhelminakade street, with Erasmusbrug in the background.

Skyline of the districts across Nieuwe Maas mirroring in a Kop van Zuid building.

De Compagnie twin residential buildings from 2005.

Poortgebouw, a building with a passage to a bridge.

3 bridges: Wilhemsbrug (red, distance) and De Hef and Koninginnebrug, both lead to Nordereiland (left) from Kop van Zuid.

Palms outside new residential buildings in the harbour.

There are also older buildings on Kop van Zuid.

The opening of Koninginnebrug, that leads to Nordereiland. The trafficants were impatient.

Kop van Zuid and Erasmusbrug skyline. The tall skyscraper to the left is Maastoren, Netherland's tallest building.