Handels Beurs

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Introduction:

MERCANTILE EXCHANGE built between 1936 and 1940, replacing the old Mercantile Exchange by Van der Werff from 1736 at the Noordblaak, in the style of the Nieuwe Bouwen according to a design by architect J. F. Staal.

The new Rotterdam exchange is an early example of public-private cooperation: Trade and the Municipality jointly initiated plans around 1925 for a new exchange building next to the new post office at the Coolsingel. The ultimate design originates from the winning plan of the second round of a closed competition specifically announced for the construction, for which six architects from different generations and movements were invited. The executed design from 1933 is the result of negotiations between Staal, the Municipality and private financiers and has little in common with the first controversial design from 1928, which still contained strong stylistic characteristics of the Amsterdam School.

N.B. In order to meet the growing need for office space, immediately after the war the facade at the Rodezand was extended with two storeys in cement brick. In the sixties the remaining office wings were extended by one storey and most shop fronts on the ground floor were altered according to a design by architect A. Staal. In 1986/1987 an ingenious solution was implemented, through the hall of the old exchange complex, above the roof and parallel to the Coolsingel, creating an oval-shaped glazed sea-green high-rise, the World Trade Centre. The design by R. Van Erk, then associated with the Groosman & Partners office, was again the result of a closed competition. The round PTT pavilion with Gispen interior, which was originally located in the Exchange complex, had to be demolished for this purpose.

Description:

The entirely basement-level exchange building was constructed with a reinforced concrete structure and consists of three office wings of seven storeys at the Coolsingel, Meent and Rodezand, which are grouped on three sides around the exchange hall. The wings at the Coolsingel and the Meent are connected to each other by a transparent glazed footbridge, a steel suspension structure with four floors. Below this is a broad arched entrance section, which originally provided access to the Exchange Café. The office wings, of which the ground floor at the Coolsingel is entirely and at the Meent and Rodezand partially occupied by shops, and whose facades have since been altered, have a flat roof finish. The strongly horizontally articulated facades were originally fitted with window frames set in steel profiles (Hope & Sons). In most of the office wings these were replaced in the early eighties by aluminium frames with a similar layout but a flatter profile. In the stairwells, the facades on the inner courtyard and the rear wing at the Rodezand, the original steel profiles are still present. The brickwork with recessed joints is executed in light grey glazed brick, specially manufactured by the Porcelijne Flesch. The exchange hall, 90 metres long and 60 metres wide, borders with its south facade on the Beursplein and has a covering of seven curved steel Gusto trusses and is covered with concrete slabs in which round tiles of thermolux glass are set. Opposite the central entrance is a semicircular stairwell accessible from the central hall with transparent glazed facades in iron rods. Under the exchange hall is a car park with an entrance at the Rodezand. The most characterful part of the building is the main entrance at the corner of Coolsingel/Beursplein. A broad, stately granite staircase, beneath an overhanging building section supported by six concrete columns, leads to the central exchange hall level, which is one and a half storeys higher. Above this, in the overhanging section, is the large hall of the Chamber of Commerce, with on the Coolsingel a large glazed bay window with a slightly curved bay pane with fine steel profiles. In the middle above the bay window a flagpole is mounted on the facade. This building section has a curved roof covered with red tiles. The south facade on the Beursplein is blank and is treated decoratively with a lattice pattern of brickwork in three different shades of grey. Halfway up the stair flight stands the monumental bronze sculpture of G.K. van Hogendorp by Prof. J. Geels, which previously stood on the Van Hogendorpplein. In a niche in the central hall stands the bronze sculpture of Mercury by J. Th. Stracké, which originates from the old exchange on the Blaak. To the right of the entrance is a glazed extension with on the ground floor originally the entrance to the restaurant/tearoom 'Het Carillon' and an overlying transparent stairwell with a steel frame. This transparent building volume is connected to a slender clock tower tiled with green glazed tiles, with a motif in relief of small lions. The square clock tower is crowned by an open metal bell frame, for the so-called 'Exchange Bell'. At the corner of Meent/Rodezand is a third entrance. At the Rodezand is a fourth access to the Shippers' Exchange. At the corner of Beursplein and Rodezand on the second floor is situated a conciérge dwelling comprising two storeys. The dwelling, designed in business style with flat roofs and rectangular steel windows, has on the south side across the full width of each storey, large terraces enclosed by elegant iron balustrades. Of the interior the meeting room of the Chamber of Commerce, above the stair flight, is still in virtually its original state. This room, tapering somewhat from front to back, is entirely clad with light-coloured teak wood panelling. The teak wood ceilings consist of square grid-shaped perforated panels with in the centre an (invisible) lamp. The room is lit by bronze chandeliers. The back wall is occupied by a carefully designed teak wood press platform with cassettes in the back wall filled with light yellow leather. The floor is marble and laid in a decorative lattice pattern. In the room is still the original meeting table and chairs, designed by Wijmer, arranged in a large oval.

Valuation:

Exchange building with associated decorations and interior elements of general importance due to architectural and cultural-historical value, as well as urban planning/characterful value on the Coolsingel and the Beursplein and due to the place the Exchange occupies within the oeuvre of Amsterdam architect J.F. Staal.