A unique experience from Rotterdam to the moon
Magnicity’s new premium restaurant and cocktail bar are set to bring a unique experience to Rotterdam. Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall (1835), Celest will go miles beyond merely offering an astounding culinary experience or breathtaking views of Rotterdam. Through storytelling and spectacular design, Celest will take visitors from Rotterdam to the moon.
A dreamy, poetic identity
The idea for Celest arose from the story of Hans Pfaall, a man from Rotterdam who sets off on a 19-day voyage to the moon in a homemade hot-air balloon. Floating away from the worries and troubles of daily life in his balloon, Pfaall marvels at the earth, oceans, moon, stars and planets: elements you’ll also find at Celest.
Celest means heavenly, and the heavens are deeply embedded in our language and culture, conjuring up images of grandeur, beauty and mystery. The celestial spheres tickle the imagination and make us feel as though we are experiencing something extraordinary. Celest’s logo combines 19th-century style with a modern touch. The simple hot air balloon shape is reminiscent of 19th-century engravings, while our name is rendered in a sleek, contemporary font.
Unparalleled at high altitude
Magnicity, the world leader in high-altitude urban tourism, won’t reveal the entire design of the experience or the menu just yet, but is lifting a tip of the veil as of right now. By the end of 2024, guests will be immersed in an extraordinary and unparalleled experience, 190 metres above the streets of Rotterdam. Before long, Celest will serve up the highest culinary experience in the Benelux.
At Celest, guests will be able to savour unmatched dishes while enjoying outstanding service and stunning 360-degree views of Rotterdam. The experience at this casual-chic, vibrant venue will be an immersive journey that begins in the elevator on the ground floor, as guests follow in Pfaall’s footsteps and journey to the moon.
Once they reach the 57th floor, at an altitude of 185 metres, they will discover an enchanting atmosphere evoking a lunar landscape. One floor higher, at 190 metres, the play of light between the sun and the earth is woven into the design of the restaurant. The interior gradually changes from the cool northern lights to the warm glow of a setting sun. This is the world of fictional Rotterdam-born hero Hans Pfaall, cast in a modern setting by Doepel Strijkers Architects.
About Magnicity
Magnicity is a world leader in high-altitude urban tourism and one of a handful of companies in the world specialising in the management of panoramic observation towers. It operates the Paris Montparnasse Observatory (Montparnasse Tower) in Paris, France, the Berliner Fernsehturm (TV Tower) in Berlin, Germany, the 360 Chicago Observation Deck at the former John Hancock Center in Chicago, Illinois, the Euromast and the top floors of Zalmhaven I in Rotterdam (set to open in late 2024), and the Varso Tower in Warsaw (due to open in 2025). The Spiral Tower project is part of Magnicity’s CSR strategy for responsible urban tourism that respects the environment and local communities.
Magnicity creates unforgettably grand venues with spectacular and unique views of the city, located on the top floors of skyscrapers or historical monuments. In addition to offering breathtaking views, Magnicity takes local & international guests on an immersive journey, unlocking unforgettable emotions that only altitude can trigger.
