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Near-Complete Rotterdam Theme Park Sold at Auction as New Owner Eyes Reopening

A pending city permit decision will determine if the site reopens or is steered to housing.

Overview

  • The Rivoli park in Rotterdam was sold at a forced auction for €6.5 million to waste entrepreneur Wim Beelen, a sale and plan confirmed by the former developer’s manager.
  • Beelen says he aims to open the almost finished park as soon as this year.
  • The previous developer spent about €50 million but fell roughly €7 million short after long soil cleanup, permit delays, a fire, and pandemic losses from other parks.
  • The 25,000-square-meter site already features a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, a haunted house, and a climbing hall that workers have kept in working order.
  • Rotterdam politicians may refuse to extend the roughly five years left on the operating permit, which could redirect the land to housing instead of a park reopening.