---
title: History
date: 2018-10-18T14:30:00+02:00
author: development
canonical_url: "https://hetindustriegebouw.nl/en/history/"
section: Pages
---
![Nai industriegebouw exterieur](https://cdn.hetindustriegebouw.nl/images/site/_1920x1080_crop_center-center_90_none/nai-industriegebouw-exterieur.jpg) ###  About 

#  History 

 

 

 Het Industriegebouw is an icon of Rotterdam’s post-war reconstruction and one of the most significant monuments of post-war architecture. Designed by legendary architects Hugh Maaskant (1907–1977) and Willem van Tijen (1894–1974), it was commissioned by the Municipality of Rotterdam and built immediately after the Second World War as one of the Netherlands’ first multi-tenant commercial buildings.  
  
Its innovative concept brought entrepreneurs from different sectors together under one roof, laying the foundation for a vibrant community of makers, designers and businesses. Today, Het Industriegebouw once again fulfils that same role: an inspiring place where entrepreneurship, creativity and collaboration come together within one of Rotterdam’s most iconic buildings.

**CONSTRUCTION START**  
1949

**READY**  
1952

**FACTS**  
• Reconstruction Icon  
• Maaskant en Van Tijen  
• A National Monument since ’91  
• 110 metres long  
• 23.000 m2 big  
• Concrete skeleton and brick  
• Steel frames and concrete elements

In 2015, Het Industriegebouw was acquired by a group of bold Rotterdam investors with a deep love for the city. At the time, the nationally listed building—covering more than 22,000 m²—was in a state of disrepair and largely vacant. Their ambition was clear: to restore this icon of Rotterdam’s post-war reconstruction to its former glory and revive its original purpose as a vibrant multi-tenant business building.

That ambition has become a reality. Today, Het Industriegebouw is home to more than 280 businesses and a thriving community of independent entrepreneurs, creative makers, scale-ups and successful national and international companies. Together, they represent more than 1,000 professionals. The building also features a carefully curated mix of high-quality hospitality and retail concepts.

The renaissance of Het Industriegebouw is now complete: a historic monument with a contemporary purpose, where entrepreneurship, creativity and connection come together. Rotterdam has gained another inspiring hotspot.

> Het Industriegebouw [in the past](https://hetindustriegebouw.nl/en/community/news/if-higs-walls-could-talk-5-x-archifacts/)

   How has the building’s role changed over the years?Het Industriegebouw was constructed between 1949 and 1952, designed by renowned architects Hugh Maaskant and Willem van Tijen. It is an icon of post-war reconstruction (*wederopbouw*) and has been designated a National Monument (*Rijksmonument*) since 1991. In 2015, when it was in a state of noticeable neglect and stood almost entirely vacant, it was acquired by local Rotterdam investors. This gave birth to the vision of restoring the icon to its full glory, bringing back its original state and function. Today, it accommodates over 280 companies with more than 1,000 professionals, alongside a variety of dining and retail concepts.

   What is the architectural style of the building?Post-war reconstruction architecture, built in brick and concrete, a style often referred to as 'shake hands' architecture. It features concrete window frames and steel structural elements. The building stretches 110 meters in length and spans 22,000 m².

   ![](https://cdn.hetindustriegebouw.nl/images/site/_1120x630_crop_center-center_90_none/HIG_04.jpg-aanzicht-kipstraatachterklooster.jpg) ![](https://cdn.hetindustriegebouw.nl/images/site/_1120x630_crop_center-center_90_none/HIG_31.jpg-expeditiestraat.jpg) ![](https://cdn.hetindustriegebouw.nl/images/site/_1120x630_crop_center-center_90_none/HIG_05.jpg-kantine-magnetme.jpg)