The history of
Hotel New York

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Hotel New York

Hotel New York is located in the iconic former headquarters of the Holland-America Line, dating from 1901. In 1993 this historic landmark was given a new purpose with the opening of Hotel New York.

Despite numerous improvements, the building still reflects its rich history, shaped in part by the hopes and dreams of thousands of migrants who embarked on a new adventure from here: a life in the land of opportunity: America!

Let us surprise you with all that Hotel New York has to offer today.

Hotel New York over the years

A journey through history

1872     Opening ‘Nieuwe Waterweg’, connection to the North Sea.

1873     In 1873 the Nederlandsch Amerikaanse Stoomvaart Maatschappij company was founded by Antoine Plate and Otto Reuchlin.

1896     Officially renamed ‘Holland-America Line’.

1901     The headquarters were built in Jugendstil style by architects J. Muller and Droogleever Fortuin

1908     The construction of a warehouse at the back of the headquarters.

1913

The office was expanded with a 38 meter high tower designed by C.B. Van der Tak.

1917     With the completion of a second tower in 1917, the facade got the iconic shape it has today.

1971     Due to increasing aviation competition, the Holland-America Line’s (HAL) decides to end the timetable on New York and focuses more on the cruise ship from America.

1977     Holland-America Line’s (HAL) headquarters moved to Seattle.

1984     The HAL sells the administration building to a project developer.

1988     In 1988 squatters took possession of the building. A year later, the municipality of Rotterdam decided to buy it for 26 million guilders.

1991

Hospitality entrepreneurs Daan van der Have, Hans Loos and Dorine de Vos transform the vacant property into a hotel-restaurant.

1993     On Wednesday, May 5th, Hotel New York officially opens.

2006     Hotel New York is now operated by WestCord Hotels.

A KLM House and 25 year anniversary

2016      On October 7th, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines chose Hotel New York as its 97th miniature Delft Blue House, like they do every year to mark their anniversary. These houses, filled with Bols Jenever gin, have been gifted to business class travellers since the 1950s, and have become highly sought after collectors items.

2018      Hooray: 25 years of Hotel New York!