The White Lady, Eindhoven

The White Lady (De Witte Dame) is one of Eindhoven’s most recognizable landmarks, a striking testament to the city’s industrial heritage and transformation. Originally constructed between 1928 and 1931 as a Philips factory for light bulb production, the building was designed by renowned Dutch architect Dirk Roosenburg, with later renovations influenced by Hugh Maaskant. Its clean, modernist lines and bright white facade make it a standout example of early 20th-century industrial architecture.

As Philips expanded globally, the facility was abandoned in the 1980s, but plans for demolition were thwarted in favor of a large-scale renovation. The building was repurposed into a dynamic cultural and commercial hub, reflecting Eindhoven’s evolution from an industrial powerhouse to a center of design and innovation. Today, the White Lady houses the Design Academy Eindhoven, the city’s public library, the MU hybrid art space, and various offices, shops, and creative spaces, including Philips Corporate Design.

Standing proudly in the heart of the city, De Witte Dame continues to be a symbol of Eindhoven’s resilience and reinvention-an industrial past reimagined for a creative future.