The Farmers’ Tower - The Phoebus Foundation

In 2020, the Katoen Natie – Indaver group acquired the renowned Farmers’ Tower, 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 Farmers’ Tower 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 Farmers’ Tower 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.

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June 2024

This month, finishing touches were applied to various works in the Farmers’ Tower, including roof covering and the removal of Polyasim. Ceilings were removed on the ground floor, while progress on other floors was closely monitored. By the end of the month, a large part of the ...

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May 2024

As usual, work continues in the Farmers’ Tower, with a focus on the remediation of the ground floor and the 1970s facade. This month, several floors have also been removed, followed by formwork and demolition works in multiple areas.

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April 2024

The month of april was filled with asbestos remediation and other renovation works in the Farmers’ Tower. 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 remediati ...

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March 2024

This month, significant progress unfolded in the Farmers’ Tower. 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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February 2024

In February, restoration works in the Farmers’ Tower 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 co ...

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January 2024

In January, we continue the work in the Farmers’ Tower 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 f ...

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Last works of 2023

Even at the end of the year, we zoom in on the monthly developments in the Farmers’ Tower. 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 ...

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November 2023

In November, a lot of effort was again put into the renovation of the Farmers’ Tower. From the installation of vapour barriers, demolition works and façade remediation, to extensive cleaning and various quality inspections.

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October repairs

During October, the Farmers’ Tower 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 ...

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A concrete forest

Works in the Farmers’ Tower 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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The Vault Room

August was an exciting month in the Farmers’ Tower! 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 on ...

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Belgian National Day in the Farmers’ Tower

The new developments in the Farmers’ Tower 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 celebrat ...

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Demolition works

Works in the Farmers’ Tower are ongoing. Various remediation works and the demolition of several floors were once again on the calendar this month.

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Smoke tests and further developments

Another exciting month in the Farmers’ Tower 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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April 2023

The team in the Farmers’ Tower 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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March in the Farmers’ Tower

This month, our photographers once again visited the Farmers’ Tower 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 Farmers’ Tower update: February

The works in the Farmers’ Tower 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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First month of the year in the Farmers’ Tower

The works in the Farmers’ Tower have resumed since the winter holidays, and the team is currently continuing the removal of the floor slabs and asbestos. In addition to these projects, new floors have been installed on various levels of the building. As usual, our photographers ...

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The Farmers’ Tower’s new design

Last week, the new architect and design of the Farmers’ Tower were announced to the public. None other than leading architect Daniel Libeskind and his studio were selected to transform the iconic Farmers’ Tower into a new public cultural hub where visitors can enjoy spectacul ...

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October developments

Another month, another selection of images from the Farmers’ Tower. Meanwhile, several floors will continue to be remediated, and other relevant works will be carried out. Floor slabs will also be removed and stripped for the next few months.

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September updates

As you may already have guessed, the works in the Farmers’ Tower are steadily continuing. The demolition has been ongoing in the past few weeks, with floor slabs removed and backfilled. A picture is worth a thousand words, so enjoy these exclusive behind-the-scenes images taken ...

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Last days of summer

The Farmers’ Tower is in a continuous development as well! This month, the deconstruction works from July have been continued: the preliminary demolition of the tower section and the asbestos removal of the ‘foot’ of the tower. Unfortunately, this month we were also ...

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The Farmers’ Tower Summer Update

Is it July already? Time flies! The construction works in the Farmers’ Tower are in progress as well at a fast pace. The floors containing asbestos are being further remediated and the non-original interior dismantled. What’s more, the concrete ceiling by star architect L ...

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First deconstruction works in the Farmers’ Tower

Although we are restoring works of art, making exhibitions and writing books, you would almost forget that we still have a tower to rebuild! Take a glimpse behind the scenes of our future exhibition spaces in the famous Farmers’ Tower. After the official purchase in November 20 ...

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The Farmers’ Tower

Within a few years’ time, visitors will be able to enjoy our exhibitions in the most iconic tower of Antwerp and beyond: the Farmers’ Tower! 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. Vari ...

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