ODA's Post skyscraper nears completion atop 1916 post office in Rotterdam

In Rotterdam, a 150-metre-tall skyscraper called Post, crafted by the New York firm ODA, is approaching its final stages of construction. This 43-storey building towers over a historic post office from 1916 located in the Coolsingel area, which is one of the few structures that survived the 1940 Rotterdam Blitz. Local photographer Andrew Campion captured exclusive images showcasing the tower's uniquely sized arched windows with deep tiled reveals. ODA, in collaboration with Braaksma & Roos Architectenbureau, is revitalizing the 58,000-square-metre post office for developer Omnam Group. Initially announced in 2019, the project aims to convert the long-abandoned landmark into a mixed-use facility, featuring a hotel linked to the post office's upper levels. The skyscraper will sit atop a vaulted plinth within an internal courtyard, and its facade will harmonize with the existing building while standing apart from the glass towers of Rotterdam's skyline. The original post office will be restored, including its impressive 22.5-metre-high vaulted Great Hall, which will have two street-level entrances and be surrounded by shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafes. ODA's executive director, Eran Chen, remarked that this project symbolizes "the strength of Rotterdam today" as a hub of culture and renewal.