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It’s like a village back here, so quiet.

Anja Stuiver and Rien Dane feel like real Rotterdam residents, and they’ve seen the the city centre gradually grow in density around them.

1960 Bredestraathof NL Rt SA 4204 40654 01

Mrs Stuiver and Mr Dane live on the corner of Mariniersweg and Goudsesingel. Their reconstruction-era flat, which is decorated with tiled tableaus of fish, looks out on the Bredestraathof courtyard behind the building, with business spaces along the service street. The shop premises under the flat once held the Motor Palace. The premises were quite large; there were all sorts of large shops along Mariniersweg. Smaller companies bustling with activity were behind this major street, by the Achterklooster and on Kipstraat.

OostpleinPers ArchiefStuiver
VeemarktPers ArchiefStuiver

Oostplein

The Oostplein square and its windmill was once the most beautiful spot in town. It was a tragedy when that windmill burned down. “Rotterdam was cast into deep mourning.” Some modern buildings were exceptional, like the Deaf-Mute Institute, which has been demolished since then. It had a detached stairwell.

The Oostplein square and its windmill was once the most beautiful spot in town.
MarktGoudsesingelPers ArchiefStuiver

Heart of the city

They feel like real Rotterdam residents and were here as young adults to see how the heart of the city slowly grew to maturity. Mr Dane was one of the workers building the metro at that point. The couple is not overly enamoured with the architecture in the area. They both prefer older buildings more. But Hoogkwartier is a very pleasant place to live. “It’s like a village back here in the courtyard, so quiet.”

But Hoogkwartier is a very pleasant place to live. “It’s like a village back here in the courtyard, so quiet.”
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Anja Stuiver en Rien Dane
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