Hotel New York

The building that houses the New York Hotel of Rotterdam was built in 1901 in a unique Jugendstil architectural style by architects J. Muller, Droogleever Fortuin, and C.B. van der Tak. It served as the headquarters of the Holland America Line, which operated passenger maritime services between Rotterdam and New York.

HAL was established in 1873 as the NV Nederlandsch Amerikaanse Stoomvaart Maatschappij (NASM) and officially became the Holland America Line in 1896.

During that time, many people were immigrating to the New World due to poverty, limited job opportunities, and religious persecution. Approximately half a million individuals embarked on HAL’s steamships bound for America.

After over 100 years of transporting passengers, the Nieuw Amsterdam ship made its final journey in 1971, marking the end of a significant maritime era in Rotterdam.

In 1977, the Holland America Line headquarters relocated to Seattle, and in 1984, the Wilhelminapier building was put up for sale.

In the 1980s, the building was nearly demolished as the city council aimed to construct tall buildings in its place. However, Riek Bakker, who also spearheaded the Erasmus Bridge, successfully persuaded the city council to contribute to the funding of a hotel with a remarkable café-restaurant within the historic building. The New York Hotel was inaugurated in 1993.

The building has undergone several expansions, while efforts have always been made to maintain a sense of unity by using consistent red brick color, baseboards, and natural stone decorations.

Hotel New York and the skyscrapers around it

Only the north facade of the original building remains today. In 1916, the north facade was modified, and the clock tower was added. In 1918, the south facade was restored, and a new tower was erected. The current west facade was added in 1920.

This building features distinctive Jugendstil elements, including its remarkable copper-covered towers. It’s facade showcases four panels, each depicting male figures representing different continents and scenes from the lives of sailors. The interior is also meticulously maintained, with wooden panels, cast-iron columns, and decorative embellishments.

In the hotel we can feel the authentic Holland America Line atmosphere, with genuine details and a beautifully crafted wrought-iron staircase. The rooms boast high ceilings, unique atmospheres, varying sizes, and a colorful, nostalgic ambiance. Meeting rooms 1.04 and 1.08 still emanate the authentic Holland America Line spirit and can be rented for dinners or other events.

The New York Hotel also offers a charming venue for weddings.

Discover other monuments in Rotterdam