A piece of history of the Kruiskade in Rotterdam

From dike to street

The Kruiskade has been around for a long time! It was a low dike, also called a quay, hence the name. This dike used to have both a water barrier and a traffic function. In the late Middle Ages, this dike became a street. At that time, the border between the Kruiskade and the West-Kruiskade was at the Westersingel. That isn't the case anymore, nowadays the Kruiskade and the West-Kruiskade no longer connect. Between the streets you will find the concert hall De Doelen.

Because the Kruiskade went from dike to street, the possibility arose to use the street for purposes other than water barriers and traffic. For example, think of the establishment of shops, restaurants and cinemas.

Lots of change over the years

It may be hard to imagine, but between 1855 and 1940, the Rotterdam Zoo was located on the border of the Kruiskade and the West-Kruiskade. We now know our zoo as part of Blijdorp, but at that time our animals lived right in the city centre!

The bombing of Rotterdam in May 1940 caused extreme destruction. The Kruiskade and the old zoo were destroyed, with the result that these areas were faced with reconstruction. The Kruiskade is therefore a real post-war shopping street.

Kruiskade: a piece of now

This post-war shopping street is located between the Coolsingel and the Karel Doormanstraat, which are crossed by the Lijnbaan. You can still find hotels, theatres and cosy restaurants there. But the most special thing is the modern architecture, which is still developing today.

From our apartments in The City House, underneath which the most luxurious shops can be found, to The Dreamhouse and The Lobby, both designed by KAAN Architects. All these beautiful buildings make the Kruiskade a special and beautiful street that we at Manhave are very proud of.

It is a beautiful thing to know that this location has a rich history, one with many guises. And of course the Kruiskade also has a promising future.