Two more photochromes from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, taken in the Spaanschekade or Spanish Quay area of Rotterdam. The landmark Wittehuis or
Whitehouse on the opposite Geldserkade was Europe's first skyscraper, which fortunately survived the Blitzkrieg of May 1940.
From glasssteelandstone.com : "The White House is something of an architectural landmark in Europe. It is the continent's first skyscraper, built in 1898 for a pair of Rotterdam businessmen eager to show off their wealth. They commissioned, "a grand office building in the American spirit." This is the result: An 11-story, 147-foot [45 metre] structure in the French chateau style. It rests on nine-hundred pilings driven into the ground, and at the time of its completion was the tallest building in Europe. It was also one of the few buildings in central Rotterdam to survive the German bombing campaigns of World War Two. Unlike American skyscrapers which rely on a steel frame to support its stonework, this building's load is borne by two thick interior walls perpendicular to four other lighter walls. However, steel is still used to hold the facade in place and to brace the floors."
Whitehouse on the opposite Geldserkade was Europe's first skyscraper, which fortunately survived the Blitzkrieg of May 1940.
From glasssteelandstone.com : "The White House is something of an architectural landmark in Europe. It is the continent's first skyscraper, built in 1898 for a pair of Rotterdam businessmen eager to show off their wealth. They commissioned, "a grand office building in the American spirit." This is the result: An 11-story, 147-foot [45 metre] structure in the French chateau style. It rests on nine-hundred pilings driven into the ground, and at the time of its completion was the tallest building in Europe. It was also one of the few buildings in central Rotterdam to survive the German bombing campaigns of World War Two. Unlike American skyscrapers which rely on a steel frame to support its stonework, this building's load is borne by two thick interior walls perpendicular to four other lighter walls. However, steel is still used to hold the facade in place and to brace the floors."
No comments:
Post a Comment