Danshuis – Major New European Centre for Dance Planned for 2030
Rotterdam’s Danshuis will be the largest centre in Europe dedicated to the production and development of dance
Detailed designs by internationally acclaimed Chinese architect Ma Yansong and MAD Architects have been unveiled for Rotterdam’s new Danshuis (Dance House), a major centre for dance scheduled to open in 2030.
Located on a prominent site in Rotterdam’s historic docklands, next to the recently opened Fenix Museum of Migration, also designed by MAD, Danshuis will be the largest centre in Europe dedicated to the production and development of dance under one roof. Open to all ages and levels of experience, it will provide facilities for both professional and amateur dance-making.
The project will transform a 9,500-square-metre Art Deco warehouse dating from 1923 on the south bank of the River Maas.
A New Home for Dance
Facilities will include 14 state-of-the-art dance studios, an open podium, gym, exhibition space, café and a rooftop Salle des Fêtes for large-scale public programmes overlooking Rotterdam’s historic harbour. A dramatic vertical foyer will connect all floors of the building to the rooftop venue, while extensive outdoor spaces will face directly onto the riverfront.
The project reflects the Netherlands’ position as one of Europe’s leading centres for both contemporary and classical dance, home to internationally renowned companies including Nederlands Dans Theater and Dutch National Ballet.
Ma Yansong, Founder and Principal Partner of MAD, said:
Movement goes beyond architecture, becoming part of the character of the district. The beauty of human movement and the moments of dance will resonate with Fenix, creating a continuous dialogue between the two.
Building on Rotterdam’s Cultural Ambitions
The plans for Danshuis have been developed by the Rotterdam-based Droom en Daad Foundation, which is also responsible for several major cultural developments in the city, including the neighbouring Fenix Museum of Migration.
Laura Dufour, Director of Danshuis and Deputy Director of the Droom en Daad Foundation, said:
We believe that Danshuis can be a meeting place, an open door to everyone, from our diverse local communities to international dance professionals to share in the joy of dance, and making a real contribution to Rotterdam as truly one of the great modern cities of culture of Europe.
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
