As the first high-rise building on the Wilhelminapier the Belvedère in Rotterdam looks over the area since 1998-2000. Locals also call it the Toren op Zuid or the KPN building in Rotterdam. As Toren op Zuid means Tower in South the other name refers to the presence of telephone, internet and television provider KPN inside. However, since late 2018 the building has the new name “The Link”. This points out the connecting part of KPN. Also that the building connects the South and North of Rotterdam.
The official first name Belvedère is an Italian architectural term and literally means beautiful view. Toren op Zuid is because the building stands in the South of Rotterdam. The building stands in the Kop van Zuid neighborhood.
Its design is mostly by architect Renzo Piano. The Link leans 5.9 degrees over the area with support of a 50 meters long steel pilar. The building is 96,5 meters and 23 floors high. There are two more floors under the building with parking spots for 254 vehicles. The lights on the front turn the building into an animations board. Just like a interactive billboard with a size of 90 by 40 meters.
The Link in Rotterdam is built for the offices of the KPN company. In 2017 KPN moved its headquarters from The Hague to Rotterdam. That’s why the necessary expansion in 2018 with more space for a meeting center, restaurant, conferences and an auditorium. All by all an eye catching plinth with a design by V8 architects. This of course with consent of Renzo Piano.
With on the background the impressive De Rotterdam the Link (5.9°) leans more over than the leaning tower of Pisa (4°). It is also in line with the cables of the beautiful Erasmus bridge. Here is the location!