Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Boerentoren construction site in Antwerp will open for general public viewing starting on May 1. Inspection teams have cleared all asbestos materials while making the building asbestos-free. Katoen Natie now wants people to be able to come and admire the ‘naked’ Boerentoren.
Starting from May 1, people from the general public can see the Boerentoren construction site in Antwerp. Katoen Natie has returned the historic tower to the public as bare asbestos-safe architecture to demonstrate its current state.
The company aims to allow visitors to admire the so-called ‘naked’ Boerentoren, following a period during which only Katoen Natie employees were permitted to visit—a window that sold out in just 15 minutes.
The public can visit the site until June 30 while city guides lead tours at the Boerentoren location in Antwerp. Professional and safety grounds ensure that no one younger than age 12 can enter the site.
Openings for visitors match the ongoing rehabilitation phase at the tower, where they can view its preserved concrete skeleton alongside steel and brick structures and famous lockers.
“Only concrete, steel and brick were allowed to be preserved. What remains is really the skeleton of the Boerentoren,”
says Kurt Dupont of Katoen Natie.
“We only preserved the iconic lockers.”
It is not only the skeleton of the Boerentoren that is an attraction.
“People can also come and admire Leon Stynen’s ceilings. They will also be accompanied by city guides during their visit.”
Huts also explained what the tower would look like inside.
“A tearoom and local shops will be located downstairs. Higher up we want to organize exhibitions. There will also be a sculpture garden and a panoramic hall.”
Huts could not say much about the construction itself.
“Our yard is ready, we will hopefully submit a building application by June. From then on it depends on how quickly the administration works. From the time we are allowed to start, we hope to have to build for another 3 years.”
Then, there is the complaint about the demolition of the crown of the Boerentoren.
“We have not yet been able to look at the file. In the meantime, we will continue and hopefully it will turn out well.”
What are the broader implications and next steps for the Boerentoren Project?
The opening of the Boerentoren site to the public marks a significant phase in the building’s transformation from a historic office tower to a cultural and architectural landmark. The organisation made the decision to tear down the crown and restore the original tower shape because they prioritised safety and the preservation of architectural history.
The broadcast corporation removed the well-known KBC logo and upper features because structural studies revealed design vulnerabilities and safety hazards arising from wind resistance and changed elements introduced during renovation works.
The Boerentoren’s destiny depends on the successful conclusion of the present permits combined with architectural plan endorsements. If Daniel Libeskind’s new design plan achieves full approval, then the necessity to recover the original 1930s crown building feature may disappear.
Regular communication exists between the city council, heritage agencies and the building’s owners to monitor project safety during the approval process of regulatory standards. The public interest in the site aims to maintain transparency along with community partnership during redevelopment, while the restoration activities will span multiple years.
