September 2015
Rotterdam may now be home to the world’s most interesting condo.
Market Hall is a massive structure that includes residential condominiums, a food market comparable to St. Lawrence Market and the largest piece of art in the Netherlands. This complex includes underground parking for residents, market vendors and shoppers.
For the market, all loading occurs underground. Market Hall includes 96 food stalls and 20 retail units on the ground floor in a space about 10% smaller than St. Lawrence Market. There is a supermarket, art installations and entertainment space. Of note is a multi-level art installation and videos about the site’s history as learned during excavations.
Market Hall includes nearly 200 condo suites ranging in size from 850 square feet to 3,200 square feet. All suites include outside balconies.
All residents are required to sign an agreement to follow green practices for waste, water consumption, waste and the use of certified construction materials. Some residents are using their roof area for urban farming.
Market Hall opened in October 2014. There are glass walls at each end of the building and the market is in the middle. Condo suites are built within the walls of the market.
This site was developed partially to attract tourists from Amsterdam to Rotterdam. It is likely to become a city landmark.
Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market was named top food market in the world by National Geographic in 2012. Market Hall is likely to give St. Lawrence Market competition in retaining this title.
