Markthal in Rotterdam: an urban arch of food and city life
Published on 08/30/2026 at 12:10 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Markthal in Rotterdam takes the familiar idea of a city market square and turns it into an inhabited arch, combining a covered food hall with apartments and offices in a single, monumental curve. Opened in 2014 and designed by Dutch practice MVRDV, it has become a recognisable part of Rotterdam’s inner city skyline and a daily meeting ground for residents as well as visitors.
An inhabited arch over a market square
Markthal stands in the Laurenskwartier district of central Rotterdam, on the Binnenrotte near the Blaak railway and metro station, where open-air markets have long been part of the city’s life.Located in the historic Laurenskwartier the building replaces the usual arrangement of separate market hall and perimeter buildings with a single, continuous arch that frames a covered square.
The overall form is that of a large, grey horseshoe, its outer surfaces clad in stone and punctuated by rows of windows from the apartments that line both sides of the arch.The vault reaches around 40 m high, and within it a rectangular hall stretches along the Binnenrotte, with the entrance facades enclosed by tall cable-net glass walls that keep out the weather while allowing views in and out.
Food hall beneath the “Horn of Plenty” artwork
On the ground floor the space beneath the arch is laid out as a covered food market, lined with fixed stalls and small units selling produce, prepared dishes and regional specialities, with cafés and restaurants around the edges.The central market hall provides a home for dozens of fresh food stalls and is complemented by retail spaces and hospitality venues on the lower levels and sides of the hall.
Above this market floor, the interior curve of the arch is covered by a vast artwork known as “Horn of Plenty” by artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam.The mural spans some 11,000 square metres on perforated aluminium panels, depicting oversized fruit, vegetables, flowers, fish and insects. The result is a vaulted ceiling where everyday grocery items appear at an exaggerated scale, giving the hall a strong visual identity that is as much artwork as infrastructure.
Living above the market: mixed-use city life
Markthal is not only a place to shop and eat but also a substantial residential and commercial building. Apartments line the inner and outer faces of the arch, with windows that look either into the hall or out across Rotterdam, and the building also contains office space integrated into the structure.In total the complex houses 228 apartments alongside retail and horeca space, combining everyday living with the public life of the market below.
Below ground, the complex continues with additional layers of activity. A supermarket occupies one of the underground levels, extending the food-focused character of the building, while an extensive parking garage provides space for cars directly beneath the hall.The total built-up area reaches around 100,000 m², and the different functions are stacked vertically so that a single footprint accommodates shopping, dining, living, working and parking.
Visiting Markthal: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Markthal stands on Dominee Jan Scharpstraat by the Binnenrotte in central Rotterdam, next to Blaak station, which is served by trains, metro lines and trams.
- The market hall floor is level and enclosed, with internal staircases and escalators linking it to mezzanines and underground levels, so moving between levels involves stairs or lifts rather than long outdoor approaches.
- The surrounding Laurenskwartier area includes the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk and the open Binnenrotte market square, which can be combined with a visit to Markthal for a broader sense of Rotterdam’s historic centre.
- The official language is Dutch and the currency is the euro.
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Frequently asked questions about Markthal
Where is Markthal and what surrounds it?
Markthal is in central Rotterdam’s Laurenskwartier district on Dominee Jan Scharpstraat, by the Binnenrotte and close to Blaak station and the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk.
What can visitors expect inside Markthal?
Visitors find a covered food market under a high arch, with stalls, shops, cafés, restaurants, a supermarket on a lower level and a large mural covering the inner curve of the hall.
What makes Markthal distinctive among city markets?
Markthal is distinctive because its market hall sits beneath a full-height inhabited arch containing apartments and offices, with the “Horn of Plenty” artwork spanning the ceiling and tall glass facades enclosing the ends.
