Fenix, the new international art museum exploring themes of migration through the lens of contemporary and historical art, opened to the public on 16 May 2025, on a landmark site in Rotterdam’s City Harbour. Housed in a restored historic warehouse, Fenix was reimagined by Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, the acclaimed Beijing-based architecture practice. This marks MAD’s first cultural project in Europe. The transformation is a striking centerpiece in the regeneration of Katendrecht—Rotterdam’s former red-light district and the oldest Chinatown in continental Europe.
Image above: Fenix view of Tornado from water level, artist impression, © MAD Architects.
A Historic Landmark Reborn
The 16,000 sqm Fenix II Warehouse, originally built in 1923, was once part of the world’s largest warehouse complex and served as a vital hub for the Holland America Line. From these docks, millions of migrants set out for the Americas in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The building has been restored in consultation with Bureau Polderman and now includes “The Tornado”, a dramatic double-helix staircase and architectural centerpiece that rises organically through the building and leads to a rooftop viewing platform overlooking the River Maas and Hotel New York—the former headquarters of the Holland America Line.
Inaugural Exhibitions
Fenix launched with a dynamic programme of exhibitions and installations across its two vast gallery floors. The inaugural collection show, All Directions: Art That Moves You, features over 150 artworks acquired over the past five years. The exhibition brings together global voices—including Francis Alÿs, Max Beckmann, Sophie Calle, Rineke Dijkstra, Steve McQueen, Grayson Perry, Do Ho Suh, Bill Viola, and Danh Vō—alongside historical artifacts such as a section of the Berlin Wall and personal mementos contributed by the people of Rotterdam.
The Family of Migrants
One of the museum’s most powerful shows is The Family of Migrants, inspired by Edward Steichen’s legendary 1955 MoMA exhibition The Family of Man. Fenix’s reinterpretation features 194 photographs from 136 photographers across 55 countries, spanning from the late 19th century to today. The exhibition includes works by Dorothea Lange, Abbas, Chien-Chi Chang, Steve McCurry, Yasuhiro Ogawa, Fouad Elkoury, and many more, documenting migration’s emotional and social dimensions across time and geography.
New Commissions and the Public Plein
Fenix has commissioned new works by emerging international artists including Beya Gille Gacha, Raquel van Haver, Hugo McCloud, Chae Eun Rhee, Martin & Inge Riebeek, and Efrat Zehavi, each exploring personal and collective narratives of migration.
At the heart of the museum is the Plein, a community-led ground-floor space hosting free events, culinary explorations, language classes, performances, and meetings—rooting Fenix in the daily life of Rotterdam.
Leadership and Vision
Fenix is directed by Anne Kremers, who has led the project since 2020. She works with a curatorial team including Hanneke Mantel (Photography), Rutger Doop (Migration History), Abdelkader Benali (Literature), and Selinay Sucu (Personal Objects).
Kremers reflects: “Fenix is deeply tied to Rotterdam’s story—but it is also a global one. This museum is about journeys, crossings, and new beginnings. It reflects the stories of people from everywhere, told through the universal language of art.”
Architect Ma Yansong adds: “The Tornado connects the past and future, a metaphor for the journeys that once passed through this building and the new conversations it now hosts.”
A Cultural Beacon for Rotterdam
Fenix is funded by the Droom en Daad Foundation, founded in 2016 by Wim Pijbes, former Director of the Rijksmuseum. The foundation aims to redefine 21st-century Rotterdam by investing in cultural institutions that reflect the city’s spirit, diversity, and global relevance.
Fenix now stands as a vibrant addition to Rotterdam’s thriving art scene—bridging history, architecture, community, and migration into one powerful experience.
WHEN?
From May 16, 2025
Opening hours: Tue – Sun: 10 am to 5 pm
WHERE?
Paul Nijghkade 5
3072 AT Rotterdam, Netherlands
COST?
Regular: 15 EUR
19 to 25 years old: 7,50 EUR
