Het Schielandshuis, Rotterdam

The Schielandshuis, a 17th-century edifice, graces the heart of Rotterdam on Korte Hoogstraat. Erected between 1662 and 1665 by decree of the Schieland Water Board, it underwent extensive restoration before finally unveiling as a museum in 1986. Once a domicile and a venue for gatherings, the building's regal presence was reminiscent of a city palace.

For nearly 150 years, this architectural marvel served as the abode of the Polder Council. Crafted by Pieter Post, a luminary of Dutch classicism, the same mind behind Maastricht's city hall, Leiden's Waag, and Gouda's Waag, among other notable structures. Collaborating with Jacob van Campen, Post also lent his genius to the design of Mauritshuis and Huis ten Bosch.

In October 1811, Napoleon I and Marie Louise occupied Schielandshuis, even removing the gate for their carriages. Later, Tsar Alexander I refused to enter Napoleon's room. In 1841, Rotterdam acquired the building, intending a museum. Collector F.J.O. Boijmans' pledge led to Museum Boijmans' founding in 1849. In 1938, the museum moved to its current location as Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen.

In 1978, the City Council endorsed a 17th-century-style restoration of the Schielandshuis. In 1986, the museum's grand reopening took place. Over time, towering neighbors joined the building's surroundings. In 2011, the museum adopted the moniker Museum Rotterdam, signifying its focus on the city's essence rather than solely its history. The transition to Timmerhuis in 2016 led to new occupants: Rotterdam Partners, Rotterdam Tourist Information, the Rotterdam Council for Art and Culture, and NAi Publishers.