Inclusion in the 2026 jury selection recognises the architectural transformation of the building on Coolsingel and its further development to meet today’s requirements / Announcement of the Rotterdam Architecture Prize on 12 June 2026
Coolse Poort in Rotterdam, a mixed-use property in Aroundtown’s portfolio, has been nominated for the Rotterdam Architecture Prize 2026. The project is therefore among a total of ten nominated properties selected by an independent jury as part of the architecture award. The Rotterdam Architecture Prize (Rotterdam Architectuurprijs) is initiated by the City of Rotterdam and organised by the Rotterdam Architecture Institute (AIR).
Aroundtown has redeveloped and fully refurbished the former office building as part of a comprehensive repositioning and converted it into a mixed-use property. The revitalisation of the property builds on the historic substance of the brutalist building (shown here in the video) and adapts it to modern use requirements. This includes opening up the façade, creating greater transparency between inside and outside, as well as carrying out a functional and technical modernisation. In its current form, the property represents a mixed-use concept comprising serviced apartments, office space and fitness facilities. The nomination therefore recognises not only the architectural quality of the project, but also the mixed-use approach as a model for the contemporary development of buildings. Located prominently at the intersection of Blaak and Coolsingel, Coolse Poort forms part of Rotterdam’s best-known historic boulevard. The property has an excellent sustainability profile and sets benchmarks in energy efficiency, water management and waste reduction.
The nomination follows the successful repositioning of the building. After its conversion and technical modernisation, long-term lease agreements were signed, including with Numa, Workspot and SportCity, and further lease negotiations are ongoing.
The winner of the Rotterdam Architecture Prize 2026 will be announced on 12 June, while voting for the nominated projects is open on the award website until 8 May 2026. The prize has been awarded annually since 2011. Among the other ten nominees this year are renowned projects such as the migration museum Fenix and the timber landmark SAWA, which is regarded as an inner-city example of sustainability.
Each year, the award highlights the city’s best new buildings and transformation projects. Coolse Poort was designed in 1979 by the architectural firm GROOSMAN and reinterpreted by the same firm almost 50 years later.
The nomination follows the successful repositioning of the building. After its conversion and technical modernisation, long-term lease agreements were signed, including with Numa, Workspot and SportCity, and further lease negotiations are ongoing.
Der Sieger des Rotterdamer Architekturpreises 2026 wird am 12. Juni bekanntgegeben, bis zum 8. Mai 2026 kann auf der [Website des Architekturpreises](https://www.rotterdamarchitectuurpreis.nl/preis-2026.html) für die nominierten Objekte abgestimmt werden. Seit 2011 wird der Preis jährlich vergeben. Zu den weiteren der insgesamt zehn Nominierten in diesem Jahr zählen renommierte Projekte wie das Migrationsmuseum Fenix sowie das Holzbau-Wahrzeichen SAWA, das als innerstädtisches Exempel für Nachhaltigkeit gilt.
Each year, the award highlights the city’s best new buildings and transformation projects. Coolse Poort was designed in 1979 by the architectural firm GROOSMAN and reinterpreted by the same firm almost 50 years later.
