New Benthem
Transforming offices into student housing in Rotterdam
Situated in the lively Agniesebuurt area in central Rotterdam, New Benthem represents a meaningful shift in how cities can respond to contemporary housing challenges by transforming underused office buildings into much-needed student accommodation. Originally constructed in 1966 as a modernist office building, the structure at 30 Benthemstraat is now being reimagined to serve a new generation of residents. This adaptive reuse not only preserves the existing urban fabric but also reduces the environmental impact associated with demolition and new construction. By converting outdated office space into housing, the project contributes to alleviating the growing shortage of student residences in Rotterdam, supports a more vibrant and mixed-use neighborhood, and demonstrates how existing buildings can be sustainably repurposed to meet evolving societal needs.
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New Benthem – From Office Building to Student Housing in Rotterdam
New Benthem is an adaptive reuse project in central Rotterdam that transforms a 1960s modernist office building into a vibrant student housing community. Located in the Agniesebuurt, the project addresses the growing demand for student accommodation while contributing to the ongoing transformation of the neighbourhood into a more mixed-use and inclusive urban environment.
Originally designed in 1966, the building is reimagined through a strategy that balances preservation with targeted intervention. The existing structure and façade are largely retained, reducing embodied carbon and maintaining continuity with the surrounding urban fabric, while selective modifications improve living quality and long-term performance.
The redevelopment introduces seven floors of student residences, delivering 423 units supported by a range of shared amenities. Communal spaces, including double-height areas and a rooftop terrace, are designed to foster interaction and create a strong sense of community. Additional terraces distributed throughout the building provide access to outdoor space, enhancing wellbeing within a dense city context.
Internally, the design prioritises daylight, openness, and flexibility. Strategic interventions within the deep floor plates ensure that residential units benefit from natural light and ventilation, while the exposed structural framework—concrete and steel—is retained and expressed to preserve the building’s original character.
At ground level, the building engages more actively with the street. A redefined entrance on Benthemstraat creates a welcoming identity, while former storage areas are repurposed as workshops and communal facilities, supporting creative and social activity.
New Benthem demonstrates how existing office buildings can be transformed into sustainable housing solutions. By extending the life of the structure and adapting it to contemporary needs, the project offers a model for addressing housing shortages while reinforcing the character and resilience of the city.
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Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Project Size: 21,300 m² / 229,271 ft² / 423 student units
Client: Leyten
Status: Under Construction
Themes: Adaptive Reuse | Student Housing | Residential
Collaborators: BOAG Project Management | Wolf & Dikken Adviseurs | Van Rossum Raadgevende Ingenieurs |Renders by ooee Studio
