LIMA
Rotterdam
How do you transform an anonymous office complex into a vibrant urban quarter that connects Zuidplein with Zuiderpark and the surrounding neighbourhoods?
On Twentestraat, between Zuidplein and Ikazia Hospital, a cluster of vacant office buildings is making way for a new high-density urban development. At this superb location near Zuiderpark, right next to the metro, bus station and shopping centre, we are creating space for more than 750 homes, along with community facilities, commercial spaces and a new public space.
Our ambition goes beyond simply adding homes. LIMA fills a gap in the ‘Hart van Zuid’ area development and provides the eastern side of Zuidplein with a distinctive, green and inviting entrance. Where asphalt, infrastructure and dereliction currently dominate, a neighbourhood is emerging where living, socialising and active lifestyles come together.
LIMA comprises two slender residential towers, approximately 130 and 70 metres high, connected by a raised green landscape that links the towers not only spatially but also socially. The towers contain a mix of social student accommodation, rental flats and owner-occupied flats, creating a diverse urban community.
At the base, townhouses and active ground-floor retail spaces connect with street life, whilst the towers form a new urban skyline for Rotterdam-Zuid. The elevated green roof creates a communal courtyard at height for residents and literally brings nature up high.
A key element of the plan is the refurbished footbridge between Zuidplein and the Ikazia Hospital. This public link runs right through the tallest tower, transforming the route into more than just a functional crossing: it becomes an integral part of the building and strengthens the connection between both sides of the Strevelsweg.
The public space is also undergoing radical change. Strevelsweg is evolving from a traffic corridor into a green Park Boulevard, with more space for pedestrians, cyclists and people to linger. In this way, the focus shifts from traffic flow to social interaction, creating a more pleasant urban environment for residents, visitors and workers.
LIMA demonstrates how densification can contribute to an inclusive, connected and future-proof city. By adding housing in a location where amenities, public transport and employment opportunities already exist, Zuidplein is developing into a fully-fledged urban centre where daily life, mobility and leisure naturally come together.
The large number of social housing and student accommodation units makes living in this central location accessible to a wide range of Rotterdam residents, whilst the mix of uses ensures a lively atmosphere throughout the day.
At the same time, the project contributes to a more sustainable approach to urban development. By reusing existing materials as much as possible and building on the existing urban infrastructure, space is utilised more efficiently, whilst at the same time giving the site’s history a new meaning.
LIMA gives Zuidplein a new perspective, both literally and figuratively: a recognisable urban landmark that connects Hart van Zuid, Zuiderpark and the surrounding neighbourhoods, and demonstrates how high-density urban living can go hand in hand with green spaces, accessibility and quality of life.
