The Boerentoren or Farmers’ Tower, one of Antwerp’s most iconic buildings, is set to undergo a significant transformation under the direction of entrepreneur Fernand Huts and star architect Daniel Libeskind. With a revised design now submitted, the project appears to be moving closer to final approval, although key planning steps remain incomplete.
Tag: Architecture
ANTWERP | Restoration of Sint-Andrieskerk is completed
After 2.5 years, the restoration of the roofs and stained glass windows of the Sint-Andrieskerk or St. Andrew’s Church by the City of Antwerp and its municipal real estate agency AG Vespa is completely finished. This was celebrated in May 2025. The church with its famous lantern tower is now out of the scaffolding and…
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…
THURINGIA | A day in Weimar
October 2024. During a week-long whistle-stop tour of Germany, we visit Dessau-Roßlau in Saxony-Anhalt, Weimar in Thuringia, Coburg in Upper Franconia (Bavaria) and Kassel in Hesse. Smaller cities, yes. But each with their own significance. Untouched by overtourism. We’re avoiding using the white trains of DB Fernverkehr, Deutsche Bahn‘s long-distance section and opt to use…
ANTWERP | Boerentoren construction site open for visitors from 1 May to 30 June 2025
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…
GERMANY | Bauhaus in Weimar
October 2024. During a week-long whistle-stop tour of Germany, we visit Dessau-Roßlau in Saxony-Anhalt, Weimar in Thuringia, Coburg in Upper Franconia (Bavaria) and Kassel in Hesse. Smaller cities, yes. But each with their own significance. Untouched by overtourism. We’re avoiding using the white trains of DB Fernverkehr, Deutsche Bahn‘s long-distance section and opt to use…
ANTWERP | Former Museum Ridder Smidt van Gelder at Hotel Thijs at Belgiëlei
On Open Monuments Day on 8 September 2024 the former Museum Ridder Smidt van Gelder on the Belgiëlei or Belgium Avenue in Antwerp exceptionally opened its doors. This townhouse, hôtel particulier or stadspaleis is also known as Hotel Thijs.
ANTWERP | Restoration of the tower and carillon of the Borgerhout district house
After the thorough renovation work on the interior of the Borgerhout District Hall, the restoration of the tower and the carillon will start. The work will start at the end of 2025.
SEOUL 2024 | Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Autumn 2024. Ten years after my first trip to Seoul in 2014, I am returning to the Republic of Korea, better known as South Korea. Not solo this time, but with Oriol, who has never been to Korea. On the itinerary: flying with Qatar Airways to Incheon via Doha, the capital Seoul, the historic city…
OVERTOURISM | Alternatives for Venice, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Santorini, Paris, Dubrovnik, London and Rome?
Overtourism was an issue in 2024 and still is in 2025. An increasing number of cities, grappling with the less appealing aspects of mass tourism, are implementing measures to curb the influx of visitors. One strategy is not to go to these hotspots, but to find alternatives. And if we all do that, those alternatives…