The Council of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Antwerp approved on Friday 14 March the demolition of the top floors of the Boerentoren or Farmers’ Tower, including the section bearing the (in)famous KBC logo, Gazet van Antwerpen reports. The decision, taken for safety reasons, allows owner Fernand Huts to proceed with the removal of the upper structure under strict conditions tied to the environmental permit.

According to Alderman for Urban Development Patrick Janssens (Vooruit), the top of the tower must be restored to its original 1930s form, unless new renovation plans are approved in the meantime. 

He stated that opinions varied on the safety risks associated with the current structure, ranging from limited danger to a genuine threat. Under current standards, the tower is no longer considered stable enough, and strong winds could potentially dislodge parts of the top floors.

Potential hazard

To eliminate any potential hazard, the board has opted for caution and granted permission for demolition. Janssens emphasised that the board reached unanimous agreement, stating that nothing could be left to chance.

However, the permit does not give Huts unrestricted freedom to build a new structure on top of the tower immediately. 

The demolition must be completed within two years, and the current permit allows five years for the top of the building to be restored to its original 1930s state. The likelihood of the original design being reinstated, however, remains low.

After earlier renovation plans were discarded, Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind is working on a new proposal. The content of this design has not yet been revealed. Huts has indicated he will first present the new concept to the Antwerp city council before releasing it to the public, in an effort to avoid further controversy or a lack of public support.

If the new plans receive full approval from all parties, including the city council, the obligation to restore the original top will be lifted. Janssens expressed his expectation that Huts and Libeskind will present a new design before the five-year deadline.

The timing of the new proposal remains uncertain. According to Janssens, the city is in regular and constructive dialogue with the owners of the tower. He added that all parties, including Huts and Libeskind, now recognise that the initial proposal will not move forward.

The saga of the Boerentoren

• ANTWERP | Katoen Natie plans to demolish the top of the Boerentoren, including the KBC logo.
• ANTWERP | Book ‘The Farmers’ Tower. Story of an Icon’ to wet appetite for Boerentoren transformation.
• ANTWERP | Daniel Libeskind and Fernand Huts’ controversial Boerentoren redesign dropped, but skyscraper will get new viewing platform.
• ANTWERP ON AIR | King Kong climbs up Boerentoren, gazes on an Octopus and a Tiger, but misses Pink Elephants.
• ANTWERP | Instant divide over Daniel Libeskind’s transformation design for Boerentoren.
• Antwerp landmark Boerentoren to become Art & Culture Tower by 2027.

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