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Modern living in a vintage warehouse in the heart of Rotterdam

West507 is a listed building

Finding an affordable place to live in, or to share with friends, is not always easy, but a new development in the heart of Rotterdam’s river area is about to open up to tenants – offering light, airy apartments at decent prices, and even weekly yoga classes. 

WEST507 by The FIZZ, located on Westzeedijk 507 in Delfshaven, is a building full of character and charm. It was built in 1909 as offices and warehouses for Dutch industrial family Stokvis, known for the Solex and Puch mopeds, and the red brick complex has had a prominent place in Rotterdam’s architectural history ever since.

‘It’s a listed building and we have retained as many of the original features as possible during the conversion, so the apartments have high ceilings and huge windows,’ says Annetta Bosma, spokeswoman for developers IC Netherlands.

‘The central atrium, with the huge arched roof, which is partly open and partly glassed in, is a terrific space where we organise events. And you can sense the history everywhere in the communal spaces, with their stained glass and wrought ironwork.’

The main atrium

The complex has been carefully converted into 183 apartments offering a wide range of different accommodation – penthouses with their own private roof garden offering stunning views over the Maas, apartments which up to three people can share comfortably, and spaces designed for people who work from home and want to shut away their office at the weekend.

Many of the apartments have rents of under €1,000 a month – and salary requirements that fit people who are just starting out in their careers. The apartments for sharers start at just €504 per friend, excluding service costs.

‘We are aiming to get a real mix of people as tenants but they will mainly be older students or young professionals starting out on their own without children,’ says Annetta. ‘But some of the apartments, for example, have been especially designed with young entrepreneurs in mind.’

An artist’s impression of one of  split-level loft apartments

The complex also has its own car park and proper bike storage – WEST507 itself is just 10 minutes by bike from the city’s main museum district and 12 minutes to the main railway station so it is easy to get around.

The complex also has its own resident manager who is on hand to deal with problems and suggestions. There is a communal roof terrace on the third floor, a lounge area and two meeting rooms – including the former Stokvis board room – which tenants can also use for events. And don’t forget the atrium either.

After all, key to The FIZZ concept is building a community. ‘It is not just about living in an apartment, it is about living in a real place,’ says Annetta. ‘So we organise events like yoga or boxing lessons, there are monthly drinks parties, wine tasting sessions – even Dutch lessons if enough people would like them.’

WEST507 will open to its first tenants in August. Find out more about renting an apartment, prices and sizes, via the website.

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