Wilhelminapier, Rotterdam

The Wilhelminapier, situated in Rotterdam, is a bustling urban enclave. It officially became part of the Feijenoord sub-municipality on March 3, 2010, having previously fallen under Rotterdam Centrum.

Stretching alongside the Nieuwe Maas River, at the base of the Erasmus Bridge, the elongated zone has taken on a contemporary persona since the turn of the 21st century, characterized by soaring skyscrapers and state-of-the-art amenities. The Wilhelminaplein metro station, established in 1997 near the pier, offers convenient connectivity. Since 2001, the modern Luxor Theater has been a prominent fixture on the Wilhelminapier. Notably, the iconic De Rotterdam, a creation of Rem Koolhaas, was finalized by the close of 2013, standing tall at 150 meters.

The Wilhelminakade, spanning the pier's entire length, was formerly a dock where numerous passenger vessels embarked on journeys to America. Symbolizing 19th- and 20th-century emigration to the United States, the pier holds historical significance. Its western extremity is dubbed the Queen's Head. A significant presence since 2001, the sizeable cast iron artwork "Lost Luggage Depot," conceived by Canadian historian and visual artist Jeff Wall, stands here, representing the poignant goodbyes that immigrants bid to their past lives.

A standout structure with its copper-domed towers, Hotel New York once served as the headquarters for the Holland-America Line. Following the departure of the HAL in 1971, a redevelopment plan was orchestrated by Sir Norman Foster in 1992. Foster's vision also gave rise to the World Port Center in 2000, the first towering edifice that has since complemented Hotel New York.

The ship terminal welcomed the world's biggest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, in September 2014. A new jetty was added for larger vessels. Future plans include upgrading the rest of Wilhelminapier for more cruise ship docking.