‘Stadsfeestzaal’ to become trendy ‘shopping hot spot’
On Thursday 25 October 2007, Stadsfeestzaal will officially open its doors to the public. Stadsfeestzaal is a historical monument situated between Hopland, with its wide range of luxurious shops, and Meir, Antwerp’s most popular shopping street. Multi Development Belgium redeveloped the building into a shopping centre with a sensitive eye for its many historical details and its individual grandeur. This unique building is now being returned to the city of Antwerp, not just as a new ‘shopping hot spot’ but also as the perfect meeting place in the city centre. It is a special addition to the existing commercial life of the city and reaffirms Antwerp as a leading shopping destination.
The imposing 19th century neoclassical building on Meir was devastated by a major fire in 2000. Multi Development has restored it to its former glory with particular attention for its historic details and its uniquely luxurious character. Boasting an impressive entrance on Meir, restored gold-leaf-finished stucco and a spacious interior square with an enormous glass dome, Stadsfeestzaal is all set to become the new trendy hot spot and an advertisement for Antwerp as a fashion and shopping city.
Stadsfeestzaal is a joint investment by Multi and Bank of Ireland Private Banking. It is the first project to be added to Multi’s Belgian and Dutch portfolio with the participation of the Bank of Ireland. The investment value is approximately 115 million euros.
Retailers
Stadsfeestzaal comprises approximately 20,500 mē of commercial space over four floors, and houses 40 branches of national and international retailers, including a large number that are new to Belgium. There are 275 dedicated underground parking spaces, part of the existing Inno car park with a total capacity of 675 spaces. Urban Outfitters, an American chain of lifestyle shops, will open its first branch on the European continent here. Nike Antwerp, COS, Tommy Hilfiger Tailormade, Salsa, Sabon, La Place, Saturn, Crocs, Lloyd Shoes, Laurent Perrier Champagne Bar , Onara and Leon Mode will also open their first Belgian outlets. In addition, established chains such as Sasha, Cortefiel (ladies/gents), Turnover, Bart Smit, Standaard Boekhandel, Casa, Blokker, Delhaize, ICI Paris XL and O’Neill (European Flagship Store) will be opening their doors. The well-known Dutch formula La Place will open its first restaurant outside the Netherlands at Stadsfeestzaal.
The project combines fashion, leisure and gastronomy in a unique mix of historic and modern architecture.
Connection between Meir and Hopland
According to Marleen de Wolf, Managing Director of Multi Development Belgium, the location of the project is unique. “A wide passageway on the ground floor connects Meir with Hopland, two shopping thoroughfares that attract different clienteles. So the varied range of stores will appeal to shoppers on both Meir and Hopland”.
Respect for past and an eye on the future
The redevelopment and restoration of Stadsfeestzaal was carried out with respect for the past but also with consideration for contemporary requirements. In particular, the trendy bar and the enormous champagne glass at the centre of Stadsfeestzaal catch the eye. The glass, which serves as a champagne bar among other things, is no less than 7.5 metres high and has a glass platform that offers a superb view over the restored hall. The bar on the ground floor also attracts the visitor’s gaze thanks to its special design. In order to preserve the historic character of Stadsfeestzaal, the services of historical architect Romain Berteloot were called in. The concept for Stadsfeestzaal was supplied by Multi’s in-house design agency T+T Design in collaboration with the Danish architects Exners Tegnestue. The Belgian practice Ferre Verbaenen was brought in as executive architect.
Following Tir, also in Antwerp, and a sports complex with a commercial centre (16,500 mē) in Oostende, Stadsfeestzaal is the third project that Multi Development has opened in Belgium. Still under development are De Klamp in Boom, a cluster of large-scale stores with a floor area of 40,000 mē and an underground car park with 2000 spaces. By creating an undulating park on the roofs of the shops, the project will provide a unique leisure area that will benefit Boom and the surrounding area.
In Arlon (Wallonia), Multi is developing a themed shopping centre approximately 35,000 mē in size focused on interior design and sports and leisure among other things. The latter development is unique for the retail market in Belgium and Luxembourg.
Sustainability
“Stadsfeestzaal” fits entirely within Multi’s philosophy of sustainable development in town centres. Marleen de Wolf: “Multi aims for projects that add more to the town or city than just buildings. For us, the context is important, but this may take the form of small details, which are characteristic of that area or have particular local importance. With the restoration of the “Stadsfeestzaal”, a place that is special to many Antwerp residents has been returned to the public domain”.