LIJNBAANFLATS

THE LIJNBAAN FLATS: SYMBOLS OF RECONSTRUCTION

In the heart of Rotterdam, between the lively shopping streets and modern buildings, are the Lijnbaan Flats. These iconic flats are part of the Lijnbaan, one of the first modern residential and shopping areas in the Netherlands. They have been national monuments since 2010, but their history begins in a time of reconstruction and hope.

THE REBIRTH OF ROTTERDAM
After the devastating bombardment of 1940, Rotterdam lay in ruins. The city had to be rebuilt, and in doing so, the focus was not only on recovery, but especially on renewal. It was in this context that the idea for the Lijnbaan Flats emerged. Architect Hugo Maaskant led a team, with contributions from Arie Krijgsman and Herman Bakker, that worked on a groundbreaking design for modern urban living.

The goal was clear: to create comfortable, functional living spaces in a city that had to reshape its identity. High-rise buildings around green courtyards were chosen to create peace and space in the busy city center. This combination of high-rise buildings and nature was very innovative at the time.

A NEW URBAN CONCEPT
The construction of the first eight Lijnbaan flats began in 1954 and was completed in 1955. They were not just any flats, but an experiment in urban living above commercial spaces. This new way of living, with shops at street level and apartments above, proved to be a great success and later inspired many other urban projects.

What was special about the design was the use of modern materials such as concrete and glass, characteristic of the post-war reconstruction style. The strict separation between living and shopping was also innovative. It created lively shopping streets without residents being bothered by the crowds.

In 1970, the last two flats were added, after the old Coolsingel hospital had been demolished. This completed the project, but the story of the place goes back further in time.

AN AREA FULL OF MEMORIES
Before the construction of the Lijnbaan flats, this area was part of the historic heart of Rotterdam. Here stood narrow streets with residential and commercial buildings from the 19th and early 20th century. The old Coolsingel hospital was a well-known landmark. But after its destruction in 1940, little remained.

The construction of the Lijnbaan flats not only rebuilt the city, but also introduced a new way of life. The old made way for the new, and with that the identity of the city changed forever.

A LOOK AT THE FUTURE
Today, the Lijnbaan flats still stand proudly in the centre of Rotterdam. They are a reminder of a time of renewal and progress. Their design – with green courtyards, modern materials and a clever separation of functions – continues to inspire.

These flats are not just buildings; they are monuments of reconstruction, symbols of resilience and a vision of the future. They show how Rotterdam was not only restored after the war, but reinvented.

The Lijnbaan flats: a story of hope, renewal and pride.