On the edge of the port

Visible from afar, the name “Lloyd Yard” sits atop the roofline of the light-colored brick building – in oversized letters. Lloyd Yard is a residential complex comprising 136 apartments designed in line with the project's energy-neutral objectives, as well as a restaurant in western Rotterdam. With seven distinctly designed buildings, this complex marks the completion of the transformation of a former port and shipyard area into a modern residential and commercial district, the so-called Lloydkwartier. The name Lloyd refers to the historic shipping company Koninklijke Rotterdamsche Lloyd, which was once based here.
 
WE architecten, Paul de Ruiter Architects, and the landscape architects at ZUS jointly developed this residential quarter. Seven building fields are arranged around a trapezoidal plot and combine a variety of housing typologies.

Tall, brick-clad apartment buildings mark the corners of the perimeter block development. Between the brick buildings are lower residential buildings, reserved for special housing types such as townhouses and back-to-back apartments. These buildings also differ from the brick ones in their façade materials, such as Corten steel and aluminium. Particularly striking features of the tall brick buildings are the predominantly double-height window openings, which evoke the robust character of the former port while creating a generous sense of space inside the apartments.
 
The heart of the residential complex is the courtyard, planted according to biodiversity criteria. A steel staircase leads from here to the so-called “Maas Window.” A second-floor balcony, accessible to all residents, offers a wonderful view of the Maas River and the courtyard. The connection to the outdoors also plays a significant role in the apartments themselves. All of them have a minimum ceiling height of 3.2 meters and feature a private outdoor space, often two stories high and protected from the wind.

“Thanks to the use of prefabricated elements and selected façade materials, Lloyd Yard combines architectural and construction requirements within a complex urban development,” says project manager Marco Verschoor of Baukombination. “The wienerberger façade bricks were selected as part of the overall façade concept.”
The light-coloured block with the large “Lloyd Yard” lettering on the roof was finished with Marziale HV WF, a hand-moulded facing brick in Waal format with a nuanced colour variation and a lightly textured surface. The product was selected during the preliminary planning phase. “The choice was based on a combination of design considerations, budget requirements and construction practicalities,” explains project manager Verschoor. “On site, the product suited the construction process well.”
 
Lloyd Yard forms part of the ongoing redevelopment of Rotterdam’s former port area. The project incorporates residential buildings, outdoor spaces and biodiversity-focused landscaping. It received the Rooftop Award 2025, was nominated for the Rotterdam Architecture Prize 2025 and was shortlisted for the Architectenweb Awards 2025.