Studio Libeskind has unveiled plans to transform Antwerp’s iconic Boerentoren skyscraper into a vibrant cultural venue. The proposal, designed for The Phoebus Foundation in collaboration with local studio ELD, reimagines the office high-rise as a dynamic public space celebrating heritage, contemporary art, and panoramic city views.
The Boerentoren tower, originally built in 1932 and recognized as a city landmark, will feature a glass observation deck crowning the tower, offering breathtaking views of the city. Two external elevators will run up the outside of the building, carrying visitors to the top-floor viewing platform. The design is informed by the existing structure, embracing its triangular plan, structural grids, facades, and materials.
“At the heart of the project is the belief that the building’s future must be shaped by its past,” Daniel Libeskind, Founder, Studio Libeskind, said. “The new design is wholly informed by the existing structure: its triangular plan, structural grids, facades, and materials. This architectural heritage is not overwritten but embracedโeach layer of time forming part of a new architectural tapestry.”
The interior will be transformed into various cultural and educational facilities, including exhibition spaces, cultural events, and the Tower Living Room, a museum-like space open to all. A raised public garden will overlook the city, complete with angular planters and paths. A large triangular skylight will centre the garden, drawing light into a lofty atrium below.
Image Courtesy: Dezeen
