den Bell
Hugo Van Kuyck e.a.
Antwerp, Francis Wellesplein 1
1887 – 1953
den Bell
When I was in the sixth year of secondary school (so a while ago) we went to Antwerp with some classmates one afternoon to visit the Alcatel company. I don’t remember much about the company visit. Only the acoustic room was exciting. Alcatel was housed in this building back then. They left in 2006 (yes, I am so old …) and since 2009 this is the administrative office building of the city of Antwerp. The building is best known for the stairs, very instagram-worthy …
National Bell Telephone Company
Verbouwing
Between 2006 and 2009, the buildings were renovated by Styfhals & Partners and Driesen-Meersman-Thomaes. The inner area was almost completely built up and it was decided to demolish these buildings in order to arrive at a 4000 m². The chimneys remained as ventilation outlets for the parking garage underneath. More than 2000 people work in the complex.
Tower
The most striking part of the entire complex is the tower. This tower was erected in 1953 by architect Hugo Van Kuyck. It housed the offices and administrative center of the company. The tower is 58 meters high. The tower is used by the city as a meeting center, while the lower buildings are used as offices. Maintaining the open staircase in the tower was not that easy because of fire safety. The square in front of the tower’s entrance has been given the name Francis Wellesplein, after the first managing director of the company.
Architectural tours in Antwerp
Map Architecture in Antwerp
Book about architecture in Antwerp available in the webshop
den Bell
Hugo Van Kuyck e.a.
Antwerp, Francis Wellesplein 1
1887 – 1953
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