The Groenplaats (Green Square), in the heart of Antwerp, is getting a thorough makeover. Not only the square itself, there is also a lot of renovation going on underground. In addition, the surrounding streets will be redesigned by the District of Antwerp. The City of Antwerp has now submitted its application for an environmental permit. If everything goes according to plan, work will start in the first quarter of 2026.
The City of Antwerp, the District of Antwerp, bus and tram company De Lijn and Water-link, in collaboration with parking operator Indigo, have ambitious plans for the Groenplaats. Above ground it will be completely renovated. There will be a modern central access to the underground, a double row of new trees around the square, future trees on the corners and new benches. There are also many improvements underground, such as a new large bicycle parking lot, a rainwater buffer, and a total renovation of the pre-metro station.
Alderman for Public Domain Erica Caluwaerts (OL-A): “More space for our catering industry to flourish and a pleasant shady square thanks to future-proof trees. The renovated Groenplaats will welcome Antwerp residents and visitors to our city on the most beautiful square in the center. Not only are renovations taking place above ground, many things are also changing underground: the underground water buffer ensures the collection of rainwater and the sewer system needed to be renovated. The Groenplaats, and its surrounding streets, will once again become a meeting place for everyone.”
Alderman for Small Businesses, Tourism and Mobility Koen Kennis (N-VA): “The Groenplaats deserves and receives the best care. There remains as much space for terraces as before, and by providing the underground parking with a bicycle shed, we meet a specific demand. At the same time, we will keep the area free of bicycles lying around. In the same move, the pre-metro station will also be upgraded.”
The surrounding streets, which are in need of renovation, will also be redesigned. Those streets are the responsibility of the District of Antwerp district.
This concerns the Huidevettersstraat, Meirbrug, Sint-Katelijnevest (south of the Lange Nieuwstraat), Israelietenstraat, Schoenmarkt, Groenkerkhofstraat, Kammenstraat and Nationalestraat (in the latter two only the part north of the Steenhouwersvest).
District Mayor Paul Cordy (N-VA): “With the reconstruction of Sint-Katelijnevest, Huidevettersstraat, Kammenstraat and Nationalestraat north of Steenhouwersvest and Groenkerkhofstraat, the district improves the safety and comfort of all road users and a number of difficult traffic bottlenecks are eliminated.”
Environmental permit application procedure
The City now submitted its application for an environmental permit to the Flemish Government. If he declares the file complete and admissible, a public investigation will follow, which will last 30 days. The decision on the permit is expected this fall.
Tender procedure
Due to the complexity and the central urban location, an extensive tender procedure was chosen. The partners want to achieve optimal coordination of the various activities within the project zone, with special attention to accessibility and quality of life for all involved.
Initially, various contractor consortia with different expertise can apply to carry out the work. An extensive procedure then starts, with a selection and a negotiation phase. This can take approximately 1.5 years.
Start of works
If everything goes smoothly, the actual works will start in the first quarter of 2026. This means that the 2025 edition of Winter in Antwerp can still take place at the Groenplaats. The works will be carried out in phases over a period of three years.
The contractor will develop the phasing in such a way that accessibility, livability and safety are guaranteed at all times. The city center will always remain accessible.
The correct phasing is not yet known. This will be further developed after the appointment of a contractor consortium. There may already be preparatory works with a limited impact by the end of 2025, depending on the implementation schedule for the main works.
More information
Traders and local residents will receive extensive information about phasing and accessibility well before work starts. The City of Antwerp is carefully coordinating the works to ensure that the city center remains accessible to residents, visitors and entrepreneurs.
You can also always register for the online newsletter via www.antwerpenmorgen.be/groenplaats. The most recent information is always available there.
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