ANTWERP | Design team selected for Meir redevelopment

The City of Antwerp and District of Antwerp selected the design team Sweco, Bau & lighting designer Atelier Jeol to work out the redevelopment of the important shopping axis Meir and surroundings (Leysstraat, Jezusstraat and Twaalfmaandenstraat) in an initial preliminary design. The city and district followed the advice drawn up by the professional jury on the five submitted concepts for Antwerp‘s most famous shopping street.

The selected design team submitted a concept and vision in which the atmosphere of the Grote Markt and Antwerp-Central Railway Station is continued in the evening through the use of adapted lighting. This will also highlight the rich architectural past of the beautiful facades and monuments.

The facade to facade concept takes into account the various movements that take place on the Meir today. The comfort of the pedestrian is an important starting point, but other traffic flows are also given attention, such as a clear route for emergency services and the supply of shops.

The submitted competition concept focuses on high-quality resting places with sight lines facing monumental buildings, and several planting areas with both new and existing trees.

The design agency proposes a uniform use of materials that meets the needs of pedestrians. Finally, the concept also plays on climate robustness, within the context of the Meir as a shopping boulevard.

Together with the selected design team, the City, the District and the professional jury will now continue working and develop an initial preliminary design. They take into account the many needs of this busy shopping boulevard and the comfort of the people of Antwerp and the many visitors.

Alderman for Public Domain Ken Casier (N-VA): “The best-known, largest and most visited shopping street in Antwerp is getting a major makeover, in which we sustainably transform our beloved shopping boulevard into a contemporary and pleasant green place to shop, enjoy a terrace or the surrounding valuable heritage. The design team selected by the professional jury is now going to work on drawing up an initial preliminary design that takes into account the many needs of this shopping boulevard.”

A coherence is being created between the Meir, the Twaalfmaandenstraat and the Jezusstraat. In the Jezusstraat, the focus will be on greening and living space, taking into account the dynamics of student life, shopping and culture.

District mayor of the Antwerp district Paul Cordy (N-VA): “The Jezusstraat has seen a large number of works in and around the street in recent years. The chosen competition concept for the ‘new look’ for this gateway to the Meir heralds a beautiful and pleasant future.”

Further progress

From this summer, the design agency will start working on the further elaboration of the competition concept. The delivery of the preliminary design is expected in mid-2026. The redevelopment itself will start at the earliest in early 2028, in coordination with surrounding projects.

Sweco’s vision

Sweco is a major international player with extensive experience in urban design, particularly in commercial areas. In Belgium, the firm has worked on projects such as the De Keyserlei in Antwerp, the Nieuwstraat / Rue Neuve in Brussels, and both the Grote Markt and Stationsstraat in Sint-Niklaas. Spanish partner Bau brings expertise from redesigning shopping streets in Barcelona, while the French lighting design studio Atelier Jeol has been active across Europe. The team also includes Erfgoed en Visie, which specialises in heritage conservation.

The redevelopment will not be limited to the Meir alone, but will include adjacent streets such as Jezusstraat, Leysstraat and Twaalfmaandenstraat. Sweco’s Manu Versluys, who is leading the project and is himself from Antwerp, recognises in Gazet van Antwerpen the scale of the task. He notes that many team members are also locals and familiar with the area.

The team’s early visualisations, produced for the design competition, reflect a vision of the Meir with new green spaces, seating areas and carefully planned lighting to highlight the architectural grandeur of the buildings. Versluys explains that the intention is not only to preserve the Meir’s status as the city’s retail core, but also to make it more inviting outside of traditional shopping hours. At present, the street becomes quiet after 6 PM. The design team aims to introduce new elements that would encourage people to linger and enjoy the area in the evenings.

A major component of the redesign involves restoring attention to the Meir’s monumental architecture. Many of the facades, with historical details and sculptures, are currently overshadowed by shopfronts and signage.

Versluys points to the former gasworks building now occupied by Zara as an example. Its facade, adorned with statues, reflects the history of light. Another example is the statue of Lodewijk van Berken on the corner of Jezusstraat, who contributed to Antwerp’s status as a diamond capital through his polishing innovations. These features, Versluys says, deserve renewed visibility.

Lighting will play a central role in this restoration. Atelier Jeol will develop a lighting strategy that enhances the architectural features of the street and its buildings. Versluys points out that while the railway station and Grote Markt are beautifully lit at night, the stretch between them remains dark. The team wants to bridge this gap with ambient lighting, making the Meir a pleasant place for an evening stroll.

The design also addresses climate adaptation. Urban heat stress is a growing concern, and the Meir, currently fully paved, exacerbates the problem. The team plans to introduce tree canopies and large planted areas, or parterres, to provide shade and enhance biodiversity. These green areas will also help manage rainwater.

Given the premetro running beneath the street, tree planting is not possible everywhere. However, Versluys emphasises the need for balance—creating visual corridors to the historic facades, adding seating, and introducing greenery where space allows. In some wider sections, the addition of water features such as fountains may also be possible.

Another focus is the layout of the street. At present, a distinct central strip creates a fast-moving corridor, often used by cyclists and scooter riders, which can lead to conflicts with pedestrians. The team intends to redesign the entire space from facade to facade to eliminate these issues. According to Versluys, the Meir is too busy for regular bicycle use, though this point will still be discussed with city officials.

Accessibility for delivery vehicles and emergency services is also being considered. Gaps between planting beds will allow delivery trucks to park without obstructing access. A central strip will remain clear for emergency vehicles.

The team is proposing a reduction in the number of entrances to the premetro beneath the Meir. Currently, there are eight, a legacy of the time when the street was still open to cars. Versluys suggests that two entrances would now be sufficient and will discuss the matter further with De Lijn, the public transport operator.

Timing

Sweco, Bau and Atelier Jeol are expected to complete a preliminary design by mid-2026. Construction could begin as early as 2028.

In the meantime, the team will consult widely with shopkeepers, residents, municipal services and local politicians. Versluys stresses that these proposals are starting points for discussion. He acknowledges the complexity of the task, as each stakeholder views the street from a different perspective. The goal is to reconcile those visions into a shared plan for the future.

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