| Type | Shopping complex with apartments |
| Location | Meir / Hopland in Antwerp |
| Architect | Exners Tegnestue, Ferre Verbaenen, Ro Berteloot, (for the restoration + execution), Crépain Binst Architecture (for the rooftop apartments) |
| Surface area above ground | 22.000 m²
Apartments: 5,500 m² |
| Study Office Stability | Arcade |
| Study Office Techniques | Van Heugten |
Major renovation after fire of neoclassical complex to revive glory
The city banquet hall, which first opened its doors 100 years ago, is a neoclassical complex with Baroque and Art Nouveau elements. It was long one of the largest banquet halls in the country. In 2000, the building was destroyed by a fire that left virtually only the front facade standing. A major renovation was required to restore this beautiful building to its glory. In 2004, work could finally begin. In order to respect the historic character, the mosaics and wall reliefs were restored, as well as the parquet and the monumental staircase in natural stone.
The hall has remained one large space, a kind of covered agora where future events can be held. Around it there is now space for over forty stores. The shopping center has three underground and three upper floors that are accessible via elevators and escalators. A spacious passageway on the ground floor connects the Meir with Hopland, thus reinforcing the city's retail core. Some modern elements have been added to the old architecture. For example, a 7.5-meter-high terrace in the form of an enormous champagne glass stands in the main interior hall, and a mosaic of LED light adorns the wall.
