Van Nelle Fabriek | From tabacco to culture

The most modern factory in the Netherlands, a beacon of innovation and entrepreneurship

The Van Nelle Fabriek, the first daylight factory in Europe, was the most modern manufacturing plant in the Netherlands. A paragon of functionalism. A structure of concrete, not brick. With columns, not load-bearing walls. With its steel and glass facade and work floor bathed in ​​natural light, the building was designed to energise.

Healthy, happy workers

The Van Nelle Fabriek was also a leading light when it came to the welfare of its workers. Sports fields were provided for recreation, a factory garden where staff could take lunch breaks, and the latest sanitation facilities for personal hygiene. For the first time, people were able to take daily showers at work instead of a weekly bath in a zinc tub – unprecedented luxury.

In 1932, one of the greatest architects of the twentieth century, the Swiss Le Corbusier, visits the Van Nelle Fabriek. He is wildly enthusiastic: “In Rotterdam you find astonishing evidence of the way that life will be! Of a purity, so unconditionally pure!”.

The stories were also kept along with the factory

About the Tearoom with a view of the bombed city where city planners came up with Rotterdam’s reconstruction plan. The slanting walkways that connect the factory and warehouse that were actually meant to be straight. The strictly segregated staircases for female and male staff. The secret corridor for the inspector. The Van Nelle Fabriek reads like an adventure novel.

From functionalist to multifunctional

The Van Nelle Fabriek is still the most modern factory in the Netherlands. Renovated in 2002, and awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014. Environmentally responsible and sustainably operated: grey water, green electricity, waste separation, LED lighting. For our environmental standards, we were awarded the A-label for a sustainably managed historic building, and the leading standard for excellence in the field, the Golden Green Key award or, as we call it: The Sustainability Oscar!


Events & Meetings

From corporate reception to conference, meetings and events from 2 to 7000 people, intimate or impressive, stylish or cool, bathed in daylight or completely dark.

+31 (0)10 750 35 00
info@vannellefabriekevents.com
Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:00

Offices

Offices and industrial spaces from 50 to 5000 m2. Designed to harness the power of light, air and space, the Van Nelle Fabriek stimulates productivity.

+31 (0)10 750 40 02
servicedesk@van-nelle-fabriek.com
Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:00