ANTWERP | Book ‘The Farmers’ Tower. Story of an Icon’ to wet appetite for Boerentoren transformation

At the end of November 2024, Belgian entrepreneur Fernand Huts and his The Phoebus Foundation launched the book ‘The Farmers’ Tower. Story of an Icon‘ (‘De Boerentoren. Verhaal van een Icoon‘). Huts want to enthuse the public for his (megalomanic?) plans for Antwerp‘s Boerentoren or Farmers’ Tower.

Since 1931, the Farmers’ Tower has served as a majestic landmark on Antwerp’s skyline. As Europe’s very first skyscraper, it is much more than a building: it symbolises innovation, daring and pride.

“Its rich history also makes it a silent witness to many historical events that have shaped not only Antwerp but Flanders and Belgium too”, The Phoebus Foundation says in a newsletter.

On 28 November 2024, the new book ‘The Farmers’ Tower. Story of an Icon’ was festively presented at the Handelsbeurs in Antwerp. This beautifully illustrated book puts the Farmers’ Tower in the spotlight.

Historical writer Johan Op de Beeck conjures up a picture of Antwerp before the Tower was built, while Geheugen Collectief’s public historians uncover the multifaceted history of this architectural icon based on new archive material.

City guide Tanguy Ottomer and others add a personal touch with anecdotes from people who lived and worked in the Farmers’ Tower. Along with photographs that have never been published before, these stories bring the building to life in all its glory.

Executive Director of The Phoebus Foundation, Dr. Katharina Van Cauteren: “Just as we preserve and study a painting or a sculpture, and then share it in a refreshing way with the widest possible audience, we are now doing the same with the Farmers’ Tower. We want it to retain its individuality but are guiding it swiftly into the future, as an iconic home for an iconic collection. The Farmers’ Tower 2.0 is no longer a bank, an impregnable fortress for hoarding pennies, but a beacon of culture – something that cannot be expressed in numbers. Something that is both literally and figuratively invaluable.”

“Our project is for everyone. A visitor might just come to see a T. rex but leave with a head bursting with dreams and inspiration, eager to return, to explore more, to see more. More exhibitions, more stories, more collaborations, more books. More. We want to make people hungry because culture is something we all embody. The museum in the Farmers’ Tower is not a passive destination but a dynamic hot spot for continuous dialogue between the past and the future, between the tower and the city, between art and people.”

Chairman Fernand Huts invites everyone “to read the Farmers’ Tower’s compelling history with an open mind and a warm heart”.

“And at the same time to join us in dreaming about the future of this absolute gem. The purchase of the Farmers’ Tower gives us the opportunity to write a new chapter in its story. In doing so, our fundamental concept is simple: we are giving the Farmers’ Tower back to Antwerp and Flanders. It will be a public building that will once again afford our city global appeal. Let’s embrace our beloved skyscraper as a symbol of what the city of Antwerp used to be, what it is today and what it can be in the future.”

Journey back in time with our new book through the history of the Farmers’ Tower, an architectural masterpiece that has fascinated and inspired for almost a century.

Not higher than the Cathedral

Fernand Huts’ plans with the Boerentoren are controversial. He hired star architect Daniel Libeskind for a Boerentoren 2.0. The proposal had fans, but also many opponents.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Phoebus Foundation (@thephoebusfoundation)

“When will the Boerentoren redesign be finished? Somewhere between two years and never, depending on when we obtain the necessary permits”, Huts said at the book presentation.

Since Huts acquired the Boerentoren in 2021, the project to renovate and expand Europe’s first skyscraper has sparked significant discussion. The enthusiasm—and particularly the criticism—surrounding the plans unveiled by architect Daniel Libeskind two years ago remain vivid in the public’s memory.

In January 2024 it seemed Huts had swallowed his pride and spinned a story the first proposal was never really meant to be.

During his remarks, Huts was cautious about revealing specifics. “We have a new design and are ready to proceed. But this time, we will first consult with the city and other stakeholders before going public with the details”, Gazet van Antwerpen reports.

Living room

However, he shared some insights about the envisioned Boerentoren 2.0. “The ground floor will become ‘Antwerp’s living room‘, featuring a bookstore, a grand café, and shops selling local products from Antwerp and beyond. Even Ghent’s famous Tierenteyn mustard could be included.”

Additionally, the ground floor will host a “romantic restaurant” offering views of the cathedral. On the third floor, there will also be a ‘living room’, which will serve as the starting point for various exhibitions. These will go beyond simply displaying art, offering immersive experiences.

No cube

Changes are also planned for the top of the tower. The controversial cube proposed by Libeskind is unlikely to materialise.

Instead, Huts envisions a panoramic rooftop, providing visitors with sweeping views of the region. “The view will extend as far as green Ghent and even the Netherlands‘, he said.

While he did not discuss the restoration of the building’s exterior, Huts hinted that a final plan could be approved next year. Talks with city officials and Heritage Flanders are ongoing, with further meetings scheduled in the coming weeks.

“I’ve promised Mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA) that our tower won’t be taller than the cathedral, and we will honour that commitment. Like the architect, I am a flexible person. At the same time, I cannot imagine Antwerp rejecting this gift to the city. Remember, this entire project is being realised without a cent of public funding”, Huts emphasised.

Trip By Trip