The largest storage and transshipment warehouse in the world opens its doors on Katendrecht. The San Francisco warehouse, as it is called then, is 360 metres long and was designed by architect C.N. van Goor. The warehouse is owned by the Holland America Line and used to store bulk goods such as grain and steel.

The German occupier blows up Katendrecht’s quays. Fenix Warehouse II is badly hit.

A fire breaks out in the building. The middle of the warehouse is destroyed beyond repair.

From 1950, the warehouse is rebuilt in two separate buildings. From then on, the warehouses are called Fenix Warehouse I and Fenix Warehouse II. The Dutch word ‘fenix’ refers to the phoenix, the mythological bird that is able to rise from its ashes time and time again.

Fenix Warehouse II is given a cultural purpose. Architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects outlines his vision for the building: a dynamic viewing platform that swirls up from the roof. He is inspired by the port, the surroundings and the history of the migrants.

Start of the transformation of Fenix Warehouse II. In line with the plan of restoration architect Bureau Polderman, the restoration begins.

A milestone in the restoration: the façades are sprayed clean and new cement stucco applied by hand. The monumental steel doors and characteristic window frames are removed, repaired, repainted in their original light-green colour and finally put back in place.

Early in 2022, the lift that will elevate you 24 meters from our ground floor to the viewing deck of the Tornado, was installed. Due to its colossal weight, it had to be delivered and installed by a floating crane, 'the Matador III', from the water of the Nieuwe Maas river.

Despite its shining surface, the heart of the Tornado is made of wood. In 2023, the installation of the wooden stairs began. When you enter the Tornado, you will walk through 336 custom-made wooden steps that enfold its 550-meter-long inner staircase.

A highlight of this year: on September 9, the highest point of Fenix — the roof of the Tornado — arrived in Rotterdam. The roof was installed on the same day. The installed canopy, at a height of 30 meters, is the crown on the Tornado.

Fenix opens May 16, 2025. From that moment on everyone is welcome at the new museum!