Mayor Halsema unveils 3D model of Amsterdam in honor of city’s 750th anniversary
Mayor Femke Halsema unveiled a 70-square-meter, 3D-printed model of Amsterdam Friday at the World Trade Center (WTC) Amsterdam to mark the city’s 750th anniversary. The model, created by Cor van Zadelhoff in collaboration with investment firm Reggeborgh, will be on public display in the lobby of Tower One and Two starting Monday, Oct. 27. Admission is free.
“This is a truly beautiful model of our city,” Halsema said. “You can see the past and growth of the city, as well as its development in the coming years. The model is an invitation to engage in dialogue about the city and its future. We are extremely proud. Many thanks to Cor for making this extraordinary project possible.”
The interactive model, built at a 1:2000 scale, displays Amsterdam’s spatial development in precise detail, highlighting its evolution from past to present and projecting future changes. The city’s water features, green spaces, and 75 iconic buildings are illustrated through photographs and stories provided by the municipality. Future urban plans were integrated using precise data, images, and maps. The immersive design was developed by digital agency Capitola.
Van Zadelhoff said he had nurtured the idea for eight years. “After seeing scale models of other world cities, I knew Amsterdam deserved one as well. In anticipation of the city’s 750th anniversary, I decided to gift Amsterdam its own model. It is not only a tribute to the city I love but also an invitation to look forward to the future that lies ahead.”
“This model is a fantastic tribute to Amsterdam—its past, present, and future,” said Femke Weller, general manager of WTC Amsterdam. “We are proud that the World Trade Center was chosen as the location where the city’s stories come to life. We invite everyone to experience this exhibit during our 40th anniversary year.”
MVSA Architects executed the 3D printing. Roberto Meyer, the firm’s founder, said, “Every layer tells a story about the city: from nature and historic streets to the evolving skyline. For the first time, the city is fully visible not as a map but as a tangible model, offering a completely new perspective. By combining state-of-the-art 3D technology with passion and craftsmanship, we have created a model that represents not only the physical city but also its dynamic development.”
