Stichting Tramhuis is a non-profit organization. Our mission? To encourage Rotterdammers and visitors to discover the city on foot. We do this through walking routes, events, and collaborations with social organizations. The core values of Tramhuis are move, discover, and connect.
Tramhuis has come a long way over the past century and stood in many places in the city.
The Tramhuis (Tram House) was built in 1914 as a waiting room for travellers with the Rotterdam Electric Tramway Company. Initially, the small building was located on Blaak, where it survived the bombardment of May 1940. After occupying several other locations, it moved to Eendrachtsplein in 1970. There, it served various catering functions, from café to kebab shop. So this is what many Rotterdammers know the Tramhuis as.
1914
Beursplein
The first location of the Tramhuis was on the old Beursplein. There, it served as a waiting shelter for tram passengers and track switch operators. The small building, weighing 50,000 kilos, survived the bombing of Rotterdam at the start of the Second World War.
1943
Coolsingel
In 1943, the Tramhuis stood on the Coolsingel, opposite the main entrance of the new stock exchange building. It took on a new function as central post for the RET (Rotterdam's public transport company) during the post-war reconstruction.
1952
Weena
During the construction of the current Beursplein in the early 1950s, the building was placed on Weena. The local tourist office (VVV) opened an information center there. The Tramhuis became the starting point for post-war reconstruction tours.
1961
Kruisplein
From 1961, the Tramhuis could be found on Kruisplein, chosen for its practical location due to the construction of the metro line. Here, the Tramhuis resumed its original function as a waiting shelter.
1971
Hermesplantsoen
After a thorough renovation in the Rotterdam-Ommoord district, the Tramhuis was placed in its current location in 1971. Since then, it has served various hospitality purposes: from pub to kebab shop. And soon, it will serve as a kiosk for city walks.
With the Tramhuis app, you discover Rotterdam through a podwalk. This is an audio tour that guides you through the city at your own pace. While you walk, you hear stories about the very places you’re visiting. Colophon: • Final editing: Isja Mak • Research: Juul van der Laan • Texts: Geert-Jan Borgstein • Translation: Susan Ridder • Design: Annemarie Arends • Photography: Florian Braakman • Illustrations: Iris de Moüy • Map: Sybren Terpstra
