Rotterdam Centraal Station

The new Rotterdam Central Station – a striking building with that oh-so-distinctive, jutting peak – was opened by King Willem-Alexander in 2014. Rotterdam residents have become accustomed to this ultra-modern station hall, but the building still frequently elicits audible "oohs" and "aahs" from passersby. 

Rotterdam has had a Central Station since 1957. Before that, there were several stations in the city center, from which passengers departed in various directions. Architect Sybold van Ravesteyn designed the first Rotterdam Central Station, which replaced Delftse Poort station after it was damaged by bombing during World War II. 

Due to a tripling of passenger numbers, a new station hall was needed. The first station building was therefore demolished in 2008, after which the current station building was constructed over a period of six years. The design of the station building is a collaboration between Benthem Crouwel Architects, Meyer en Van Schooten, and West 8. As a tribute to the first station hall, and at the request of the people of Rotterdam, the clock and the letters "Centraal Station" have been reinstated in the lettering by architect Van Ravesteyn. In addition, two statues, "speculaasjes," from the old station building can now be found above the entrances to the cyclist tunnel.

Like many buildings in Rotterdam, the station building also has nicknames. Rotterdammers also know the building as 'Station Kapsalon', a reference to the Rotterdam fast-food meal, 'De Punt', or 'De Haaienbek'.