The View of Rotterdam | A Vibrant New Destination on the Rijnhaven

Situated in Katendrecht - a district renowned for its rich history and harbour views - The View of Rotterdam offers a distinctive place to live and work, close to the city centre and with excellent accessibility. The development comprises around 110 apartments, including 22 for rent and 88 in the high-end segment.

“What makes it truly unique is that we have also been able to realise Rotterdam’s most expensive apartment here,” Rick notes. The project also includes the five-star Eurostars Rijnhaven Hotel, waterfront hospitality venues, a diverse retail offering (including a Jumbo supermarket and an Oriental supermarket), office space, and 262 additional apartments planned for the second phase.

For Rick, the essence of The View lies in its mix of functions and prime location: “What makes this project so special for me is its proximity to the city centre, the thoughtful way the area’s history has been incorporated, and the combination of uses. The vibrancy - the nearby cruise terminal, the museums - brings the whole area to life.”

During the ten-year development and realisation phase, numerous challenges were faced, from the impact of COVID-19 to public procedures and managing a range of risks. “In this process, we worked with several financiers, including NIBC at an early stage. Within this dynamic, NIBC stood out for its clear vision on development and its team’s deep understanding of real estate - they truly act as a partner. That level of in-house expertise is essential for a bank, and it’s where I find NIBC unique.”

He continues: “We’re about to open a five-star hotel that still has to prove itself, and there are ongoing challenges in letting the commercial units. The surrounding area is still under development. With projects like this, there are never any guarantees that everything will go as planned. That’s why you need the right bank - one that believes in the area’s vision and trusts that a party like us can successfully deliver. It’s quite unique to be able to take each next step together. Every phase comes with its own surprises, but with NIBC on board, we’ve always managed to move forward.”

Rick is proud of what has been achieved: “We are pioneers in this area - the first to make an investment here. If you look at how the municipality and other developers have since embraced this location, you can see just how unique this development is, even in the international market. That’s exactly what we set out to accomplish!”

“When you’ve been in this business as long as I have, it’s all about turning your ideas into reality - something you can actually see and touch afterwards. That’s what makes it so special, especially with large-scale projects like this. It takes time, patience, resilience, and the right partners and financiers to make it happen.”

“Being able to play a part in this journey - even if it’s not always visible - gives me immense satisfaction. We’ve succeeded, everyone is happy, and now it’s time for the next challenge!”

Rick concludes by emphasising the importance of long-term collaboration: “A project of this scale, with an investment of around €400 million, truly demands close cooperation. You need a strong shareholder and a professional bank working together to find the right approach. With a project like this lasting ten or fifteen years, it’s not just a partnership - it’s a long-term commitment, almost like a marriage, and you have to make it work together.”

At NIBC, we are proud of partnerships like this and look forward to building more long-term relationships. We remain committed to supporting ambitious real estate developments such as The View of Rotterdam - now and in the future.