Construction has begun on The Sax, a saxophone-shaped residential development in Rotterdam, touted as the Netherlands’ “most densely occupied area” by architect MVRDV.
The Sax will have 916 apartments across two towers: the 180m-tall, 55-storey “Havana” and the 82m-tall, 26-floor “Philadelphia”, bridged by a horizontal golden beam structure housing six floors of residential units and a 100m-high roof terrace for residents.
Located in Rotterdam’s high-rise Wilhelminapier district, the building’s silhouette is designed to resemble a saxophone.
Of the 916 units, 822 are rentals and 94 are for sale. 458 of the units are deemed to be affordable for middle-income Rotterdammers.
MVRDV describes it as a “vertical residential neighbourhood”.
There will be parking spaces for 1,800 bicycles, a 330-car automated parking garage and 1,200-sq-m of restaurants, shops, commercial, sports and community facilities.
Jacob van Rijs, MVRDV founder, said: “Above all, The Sax will be a vibrant and distinctive building that will be a beautiful addition to the pier’s skyline.
“The varying angles will allow the light to fall differently on the metal facade, so the building will change colour with the time of day. The gradual transition from bottom to top makes The Sax, despite its size, both robust and soft – just as a musician can both shred on the saxophone as well as playing it subtly and softly.”
MVRDV designed the building for developers BPD and Synchroon. The Sax is due to be completed in 2030.
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