The signatures have been signed, the starting signal has been given. Construction of De Sax can begin. With the building project on the Wilhelminapier, Rotterdam will gain 916 homes.

De Sax already had a Wikipedia page. Link opens an external page. Now the construction of the residential towers on the Wilhelminapier also begins. Alderman Chantal Zeegers (Climate, Building, Housing) gave the starting signal on Tuesday, October 28.  

Saxophone

De Sax consists of 2 residential towers: Havana and Philadelphia. The Havana tower will be 182 meters high, the Philadelphia tower 109 meters high. They will be located on Antoine Platekade. 

The 2 towers will be connected by a golden beam. This will make the building look like a giant saxophone. That is why it is called De Sax. 

There will also be apartments in the golden beam. De Sax is expected to be completed in 2030.

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916 homes

When De Sax is finished, the high-rise will have 916 homes. These are all apartments. 94 of the 916 apartments will be sold. The other 822 apartments will be rented. 

In addition to homes, there will be more facilities in De Sax. With meeting rooms in the building, residents are encouraged to get in touch with each other. There will also be a roof terrace at 100 meters height for all residents of De Sax. 

On the ground floor, there will be space for catering and shops. De Sax will also have a bicycle parking garage where 1,800 bicycles can be parked. 

MVDRV

De Sax is being built according to a design by the Rotterdam architectural firm MVDRV. The letters refer to the last names of the founders: Maas, Van Rijs and De Vries. 

MVDRV has designed other Rotterdam landmarks, such as the Markthal and the Depot Boijmans van Beuningen. 

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Wilhelminapier

De Sax is the last high-rise project on the Wilhelminapier. 30 years ago, the development of the Kop van Zuid began. Many iconic buildings now stand there. 

Famous examples are Nieuwe Luxor, municipal office De Rotterdam and the Maastoren. The Maastoren is with 165 meters the tallest building on the Wilhelminapier. On the other side of the Maas is the tallest tower of the city, the Zalmhaventoren of 215 meters. 

De Sax in numbers

  • De Sax consists of 2 residential towers: Havana and Philadelphia;
  • The Havana will be 182 meters high and the Philadelphia 109 meters high;
  • De Sax will have 916 homes: 822 rental homes, 94 owner-occupied homes;
  • Of the 822 rental homes, 458 fall under affordable mid-rent. Link opens an external page;
  • The bicycle parking garage of De Sax will accommodate 1,800 bicycles.