In 2020, the Katoen Natie – Indaver group acquired the renowned Boerentoren, an architectural landmark in the center of Antwerp. Under the auspices of The Phoebus Foundation, the tower will undergo a complete cultural transformation. In the coming years, visitors will not only be able to enjoy exhibitions by The Phoebus Foundation but also indulge in gastronomic experiences, visit a museum shop, bookstore, and much more in the most iconic tower of Antwerp and beyond.
Constructed between 1928 and 1931 in art-deco style and with a frame of 3500 tons of steel, the tower is a true architectural gem. Various famous architects, among them Emil van Averbeke, Jan Van Hoenacker and Jos Smolderen, were involved in the construction of the monument. With its original height of 87,5 m, the Boerentoren even was the first skyscraper in Europe.
The tower was constructed on the occasion of the World Exhibition in 1930 by the Middenkredietbank, who mainly managed the savings from farmers and the Farmer’s Union. This is why the tower obtained its nickname ‘Boerentoren’. The Antwerp icon later became property of Kredietbank and KBC, whose logo adorns the top of the tower.
None other than world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind will transform the iconic tower into a veritable cultural tower. Libeskind’s design unites art, functionality, ecology and structure while integrally preserving the original construction. This exceptional project will transform the Boerentoren into a culturally infused place where visitors can enjoy art, architecture, nature and the city. The icing on the cake is the 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton, which will find a permanent home in the tower.
The month of april was filled with asbestos remediation and other renovation works in the Boerentoren. The emphasis this month was on the vertical shaft zones and the stairwell core. Additionally, work continued with the ongoing removal of floors and the subsequent remediation of ...
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This month, significant progress unfolded in the Boerentoren. The demolition team diligently removed roofing materials while an excavator tackled the sloping screed. Additionally, a team of workers stripped away the roofing felt by hand.
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In February, restoration works in the Boerentoren progressed again. The agenda included various crucial tasks, such as carefully cementing the terrace walls and ensuring their waterproofing. Concrete pours occurred at different levels, and the remediation of the stairwell continu ...
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In January, we continue the work in the Boerentoren with various essential tasks such as dismantling floor plates, asbestos removal, and concrete pouring. Additionally, the vapour barrier for the roofs and rooftop terraces of the tower section has been installed. Enjoy the first ...
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Even at the end of the year, we zoom in on the monthly developments in the Boerentoren. Recently, the focus was primarily on standard tasks such as floor demolition, concrete pouring, and asbestos removal. As soon as weather conditions permitted, the team also initiated roof work ...
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In November, a lot of effort was again put into the renovation of the Boerentoren. From the installation of vapour barriers, demolition works and façade remediation, to extensive cleaning and various quality inspections.
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During October, the Boerentoren underwent a series of captivating developments and discoveries. A significant progress was the restoration planning of the facade elements, which had endured damage in the fire incident of August 2022. The fire had left the joints between the natur ...
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Works in the Boerentoren during September revolved mainly around some jaw-dropping demolition works, and we’ve got photos to prove it! This month’s program also included floor formwork, various measurements, concrete casting and steel repairs.
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August was an exciting month in the Boerentoren! For instance, the famous vault room was completely dismantled. The vaults and safe doors were all transported to a storage area to prepare the remaining spaces for renovation. Additionally, various roof and floor works were once ag ...
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The new developments in the Boerentoren took another interesting direction with the dismantling of the famous vault room of the former KBC bank. Additionally, a number of floors were also redone and, as usual, asbestos remediation remains on the agenda. This year we celebrated Th ...
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Works in the Boerentoren are ongoing. Various remediation works and the demolition of several floors were once again on the calendar this month.
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Another exciting month in the Boerentoren with our photographers capturing several interesting developments on camera, such as the application of Polyasim and the conduct of various smoke tests. Enjoy these unique behind-the-scenes images with us!
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The team in the Boerentoren is still busy with the removal of asbestos, the construction of floor slabs and other developments. Various quality inspections and smoke tests were also on the calendar this month.
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This month, our photographers once again visited the Boerentoren to capture the current state of events. Several floors and more asbestos were removed, and various quality inspections were carried out on different levels of the tower.
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The works in the Boerentoren continue slowly but steadily. On multiple levels of the tower, various walls were demolished, new floors were laid, and further asbestos removal was carried out. Check out the latest state of affairs through the lens of our photographers!
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