Experience

ANTWERP | Boerentoren construction site open for visitors from 1 May to 30 June 2025

Posted by Timothy on

The Boerentoren or Farmers’ Tower in Antwerp has been laid bare, and for the first time, the general public is invited to experience it in this remarkable state. From 1 May to 30 June 2025, the construction site will open its doors, allowing visitors to step inside the iconic tower that has been stripped down to its skeletal structure of concrete, steel and brick.

The opening comes well before the usual Openwervendag or Open Construction Sites Day on 25 May. Fernand Huts, owner of Katoen Natie, decided to give the public two full months to explore the tower. In the days leading up to the public opening, Katoen Natie employees were given early access, and all available places were booked within fifteen minutes. Huts said he expects a similar rush from the general public.

Since acquiring the Boerentoren in 2021—symbolically on the Flemish national holiday—Katoen Natie has removed 12,000 tonnes of rubble from the site, including 4,000 tonnes of asbestos. 

Asbestos-free

The building is now officially declared asbestos-free. According to Kurt Dupon of Katoen Natie, only the essential structural elements were preserved, leaving what he describes as the true skeleton of the Boerentoren. Even the interiors have been stripped back, with only the iconic lockers remaining intact.

Visitors will enter the site through the Eiermarkt, where they will step onto a red carpet. Beyond that, the space is raw and industrial, dominated by rough concrete surfaces. The experience offers a rare, striking example of brutalist architecture, with the tower standing solidly on robust concrete legs. 

One of the architectural highlights is the intricate ceiling of concrete triangles, a feature added by renowned architect Léon Stynen around 1970. Throughout the visit, city guides will accompany groups, offering historical insights and context.

The Boerentoren is now a central part of Open Werf, a cultural trail through the surrounding neighbourhood. The trail begins nearby at the late medieval Keizerskapel, where twelve paintings from the Phoebus Foundation, Huts’ private art collection, are on display. 

Emperor’s Chapel

Musician and writer Rick de Leeuw curated the exhibition, favouring works by Flemish modernists such as Rik Wouters, Edgard Tytgat, Frits Van den Berghe and Gustave Van de Woestijne. De Leeuw also composed new songs inspired by the paintings, which visitors can listen to via an audio guide that alternates between music and art historical commentary.

Boerentoren construction site

Inside the Boerentoren, visitors will immediately notice the oppressive atmosphere created by the low ceilings. This is one of the major challenges the renovation will address. 

Mezzanine floors will be removed to create spaces with double-height ceilings, allowing for the exhibition of larger works. As a result, the building’s total surface area will be reduced from 55,000 to 25,000 square metres. 

As visitors move upwards through the tower, the structure narrows, gradually revealing the original steel pillars and brickwork dating back to 1931.

Although the final design of the Boerentoren’s transformation is still being developed, some elements are already confirmed. 

On the ground floor, an urban living space will be created, featuring a grand café, a tearoom and shops selling books, fashion and Flemish delicacies. One side of the building will be hollowed out across its full height and covered by a glass dome, through which an internal staircase will run. A glass lift will be installed on the exterior.

The two side wings of the Boerentoren will be slightly raised to accommodate a sculpture garden and a garden terrace. The existing panorama hall, marked by the former KBC logo, will be demolished and replaced by three floors of glass. The largest spaces will host thematic exhibitions, while the smaller upper floors will showcase contemporary art and works by young artists. There will also be a permanent space dedicated to the history of the Boerentoren, alongside an exhibition featuring a Tyrannosaurus rex, affectionately referred to as “our pet”.

Katoen Natie holds an environmental permit allowing for the removal of the tower’s crown, but this decision is currently under appeal. Huts confirmed that the company has not yet been able to review the complaint file. In the meantime, work continues. Site manager Kurt Dupon explained that small working groups are systematically addressing design challenges, with the aim of completing the project plan before the construction holiday.

Bilbao at the Scheldt

The ambition for the Boerentoren is high. Huts expressed his desire to surpass the cultural impact achieved by Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, aiming to add lasting value to Antwerp’s architectural heritage. 

Architect Daniel Libeskind, whose firm is responsible for the new design, described the challenge as a sensitive task: ensuring that the new additions are organically integrated into the historic structure.

While the site is prepared for construction, there is still no definitive timeline. Katoen Natie hopes to submit a building application by June. Once the necessary approvals are obtained, Huts estimates it will take another three years to complete the redevelopment.

The construction site is open to visitors from 1 May to 30 June and is accessible only to those aged twelve and over. Registration for a visit must be completed in advance, and each group will be guided through the site by official city guides.

Book your ticket. 

The saga of the Boerentoren

On the look of Antwerp

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