The Council of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Antwerp approved a plan for the installation of gates at the entrance zones of the De Wilde Zee and Kloosterstraat shopping areas. The City of Antwerp wants enhance the visibility  of both shopping areas and invest in an attractive and lively shopping city.

In close consultation with local traders, the City of Antwerp will focus on strong and recognizable shopping areas in the coming years, which should strengthen the attractiveness and quality of life of the city.

Alderman for Small Businesses Koen Kennis (N-VA): “Antwerp is known far beyond our borders as a shopping city. This is also evident from research. Shopping is, even before good food and drinks and culture, the most important reason for people to visit our city. Shoppers also often spend money in our catering industry and museums. We want to keep it that way.”

Nine tourism areas

The City previously demarcated nine unique experience areas in the tourist center for investors, owners, real estate agents and entrepreneurs. This profiling helps them to find a suitable location for their commercial property or to invest.

The council approved a decision to invest in the public domain for De Wilde Zee and Kloosterstraat, two demarcated shopping areas.

The De Wilde Zee shopping zone includes the streets Korte Gasthuisstraat, Lombardenvest, Wiegstraat, Groendalstraat and Schrijnwerkersstraat, and is best known for specialty shops, niche products and crafts. As a shopping street, the Kloosterstraat is known for a very specific vibe with a mix antique shops, design stores and home decoration businesses. 

Both areas will have entrance gates that will better mark the entrance areas of the respective shopping zones. 

Autumn 2024

These ‘spans’ should adorn the streetscape by the autumn of 2024. The precise designs and locations will be determined in consultation with local entrepreneurs in the coming months.

Alderman Kennis: “By investing in the realization of spans for the entrance zones of De Wilde Zee and Kloosterstraat, we strengthen the visibility of these shopping areas. We will soon do a similar exercise with the Schuttershofstraat, where a work of art by Martin Margiela will be installed.”

On the look of Antwerp

• ANTWERP | Daniel Libeskind and Fernand Huts’ controversial Boerentoren redesign dropped, but skyscraper will get new viewing platform.
• City of Antwerp annexes Borsbeek, which becomes the tenth district on 1 January 2025.
• ANTWERP | Restoration of Vleeshuis to start in 2025.
• ANTWERP | Final phase preliminary design of Spoorpark approved.
• Antwerp-South Railway Station and surroundings get makeover.
• ANTWERP | Overhaul of Groenplaats and surrounding streets will start in 2025.
• ANTWERP | Northern Pavillion at Scheldt’s Northern Terrace gets revamp.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | St. James’ Church (Sint-Jacobskerk).
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | St. Paul’s Church (Sint-Pauluskerk).
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Scheldekaaien or Scheldt Quays.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Zurenborg.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Cogels-Osylei between Berchem and Antwerp’s Zurenborg neighbourhood.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | De Gerlachekaai at the Scheldt.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Sint-Andriesplein.
• ANTWERP | Instant divide over Daniel Libeskind’s transformation design for Boerentoren.
• Rainbow zebra crossing in Borgerhout.
• Rainbow zebra crossings of Antwerp.
• Rainbow zebra crossing in Berchem.
• Antwerp designs future of Scheldt Left Bank riverside.
• New facade lights for Antwerp-Central Railway Station.
• ANTWERP | New light plan for Het Steen to accentuate castle features.
• ANTWERP | Major revamp of the Meirbrug – Suikerrui – Scheldt Quays axis to complete the Via Sinjoor.
• ANTWERP | Looking for Linkeroever Railway Station.
• A sneak peek into Antwerp’s renovated City Hall.
• Antwerp’s Droogdokkensite redeveloped into maritime experience area.
• PHOTOS | Het Steen, Antwerp’s new Visitor Centre.
• VIDEO | Walking the future Spoorpark between Zurenborg (Antwerp) and Borgerhout.
• 5 spots in Antwerp to soak up the sun for free..
• BOOK | ‘Antwerp. An Archaeological View on the Origin of the City’ by Tim Bellens.
• Antwerp’s City Theatre Stadsschouwburg to be demolished, new playhouse elsewhere.
• ANTWERP | Design concept for renewed Wapper approved.
• ANTWERP | Schuttershofstraat to become fully pedestrian shopping street.
• ANTWERP | Park Groot Schijn completely finished.
• ANTWERP | Start restoration of the walking terrace and hangars between Steen and Noorderterras.
• ANTWERP | Pomppark Zuid in the works from 2024.
• ANTWERP | Start of construction of second phase of Berchem’s Park Brialmont.
• ANTWERP | 2024 Loodswezensite redesign approved.