· Zuidyard
Miniworld stays in Rotterdam and moves to Zuidyard in 2027
After intensive talks, the municipality of Rotterdam and Zuidyard have reached agreements on closing the file on Miniworld Rotterdam and the building on the Weena. This brings clarity about the coming months and the future of Miniworld. The popular Rotterdam attraction will move to Zuidyard on the Maashaven in 2027.
Zuidyard took over Miniworld this summer, when the attraction was in financial difficulty, making it possible for Miniworld to continue. Miniworld Rotterdam is an indoor miniature world with Rotterdam, the port, Dutch landscapes and parts of Great Britain in miniature.
Miniworld Rotterdam will stay open at its current location, Weena 745, for the coming months. After that, the move begins to Doklaan 40 in Rotterdam-Zuid, where a new home for Miniworld is being built on the Zuidyard site. There Miniworld will sit alongside other Zuidyard attractions, including Spelen bij Beelen, Gigi’s Klim World and the Beelen Eye.
Twentieth anniversary
The move coincides with a special year. In spring 2027, Miniworld Rotterdam celebrates its twentieth anniversary. Zuidyard and Miniworld want to mark the occasion with a festive opening at the new location.
“We took over Miniworld because we believe this Rotterdam attraction must not be lost,” says Wim Beelen, owner of Zuidyard. “We are now building its new home on the Zuidyard site. I am glad we have been able to make good agreements with the municipality. Next year Miniworld turns twenty. It would be wonderful if we could celebrate that with the opening on the Maashaven.”
Agreements with the municipality of Rotterdam
The municipality of Rotterdam and Zuidyard have agreed that the building on the Weena will be handed back to the municipality by the end of January 2027 at the latest. As part of the financial settlement, Zuidyard will pay the municipality €300,000 excluding VAT. This settles the outstanding issues between the parties by mutual agreement.
Diederik van Dommelen, Rotterdam alderman for Finance, Organisation, Real Estate and Enforcement, is also pleased: “After several conversations we were able to agree on the financial settlement and the handover of the building on the Weena. This gives clarity to everyone involved, and this file can be closed by mutual agreement.”