The City of Antwerp has approved the initial design for the public space in the new Slachthuiswijk in Antwerp. New and existing parts of the Antwerp Dam district will be connected by green spaces dedicated to play, sports and encounters. AP University College students haven’t been forgotten either, with a new, sustainable high-tech campus that the University College will build for its STEM courses (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
There will be a square with restaurants and bars, shaded by the tree canopy, featuring a play fountain and suitable for community events; a sports ground breathing new life into a former port area, a water garden with special plants, green residential streets and a sustainable college campus, etc. The area between the Slachthuissite, Noordschippersdok and the Lobroekdok in Antwerp North will be converted into a green district for housing, services, recreation and business activities as of autumn 2022. The City of Antwerp approved the concept design for the public space after surveying local residents. The design devotes considerable attention to pedestrians and cyclists. What’s more, it takes the impact of climate and noise into account as much as possible.
Alderwoman for urban development and spatial planning Annick De Ridder: “Our aim is to create high-quality public space for young and old, which we optimally green. It involves the development of some 104,000 m² of public space, some 39,000 m² of which will be green space within the Slachthuissite. The public space forms a green connection between the existing and new district, with a focus on various play, sports and meeting areas. It will be a low-traffic district, with a network for slow traffic connecting the different places. With 13.7 million on the urban development budget, it is clear that we are pulling out all the stops to build a new gem of Antwerp North here.”
Hallenplein campus for students at AP University College
The growing AP University College Antwerp is also moving to the new district, not far from its other campus at Park Spoor Noord. On the new Hallenplein, the university college will build a nearly zero-energy (NZEB) campus for some 3,500 students. There will be a new tower and the university college will reuse the existing warehouses. This represents 22,000 m² and an investment of 77 million euros.
Pascale De Groote, Managing Director of AP University College Antwerp: “The new sustainable campus will mainly house innovative high-tech study programmes. There will be a unique combination of industry and IT, design and media. The location is totally consistent with our university college’s vision: the urban development plans currently on the table will transform the area into a lively neighbourhood in the coming years. Not forgetting the enclosed Ring Road, which will ensure that our Hallenplein campus is located in the middle of a green zone.”
Exclusive: the name of the site is now known and bridges the gap between past and future
In 2018, developers Triple Living and Immobel joined the city development project as private partners: Triple Living acquired 70% ownership and Immobel 30%.
Triple Living and Immobel are the first to unveil the name of the site ‘Slachthuis’, which connects the past and future and conveys the neighbourhood’s identity. Director of Triple Living Jeff Cavens: “For us and for all Antwerp residents, this part of the Damwijk will always be inextricably linked to the site’s industrious abattoir past, the soul of which lives on in the many restaurants there. With the name ‘Slachthuis’, this unique part of Antwerp retains its identity. It alludes to the dynamic, inspiring environment we want to create in the future. This is a perfect match with the innovative AP University College campus that will be constructed on the central Hallenplein, and which we are particularly enthusiastic about.”
Timing
There will be a definitive design for the public space by the end of 2021. After the tender and the environmental permit, the construction of phase 1 of the public space (the Kalverwei, the Oude Kalverstraat and the Lobroekplein) can begin as of autumn 2022. AP University College’s new Hallenplein campus has to be ready by 2024.
Press interview opportunity
There is an opportunity for interviews today, Monday 8 February, at 11.30 a.m. at the abattoir halls (Slachthuislaan 70, 2060 Antwerp) with the alderwoman for spatial planning, Annick De Ridder, general manager of AP University College, Pascale De Groote, and director of Triple Living, Jeff Cavens.
During the interviews, we request you respect social distancing and wear a face mask at all times. Please register in advance via [email protected].
