The Van Nelle factory was once a site for storing and distributing coffee, tea, and tobacco. In 1782, Johannes and Henrica van Nelle started a coffee, tea, and tobacco store at the Leuvehaven in Rotterdam. After they both died, their son took over the company initially. However, by 1837, shares in the company were bought by the Van der Leeuw family, who took control of the whole company in 1845. Over the years, the Van der Leeuws expanded the original Van Nelle store into a company with several factories and distribution centers across the Netherlands.
Architect Leendert van der Vlugt designed the current structure of the Van Nelle in cooperation with engineer J.G. Wiebenga, ultimately finishing the build in the late 1920s. In the 20th century, it was a factory processing coffee, tea, and tobacco and adding chewing gum, cigarettes, and pudding to the production line later on.
The operation of the factory stopped in 1996 when the Van Nelle company reorganized. Following renovations in 2000, the location is now known as the Van Nelle Design Factory. Nowadays, the building houses a variety of start-ups, media, and design companies. In addition, some areas can be used for meetings, conventions, and events. Now considered a landmark for its exceptional architecture, the Van Nelle factory was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.