Engels Hessenplein

In the heart of Antwerp, between Hessenplein and Stijfselstraat, the former Engels site is given a new life. Existing buildings that had lost their purpose make way for a contemporary residential environment that integrates carefully into the urban fabric. The corner building at Hessenplein 41 – the distinctive “Ijzer Natie” – is preserved and restored.

The façades on Hessenplein are designed in light-coloured brick with refined concrete details. Rhythmic window openings, rounded forms at ground level and subtle steel balustrades give the whole a playful yet elegant character. Along Stijfselstraat, the new building ties in with the red brick architecture of the surroundings, with a recognisable sloping roof and carefully crafted brickwork details framing the windows and doors. The rear façades receive the same attention: light volumes with delicate details and terraces that strengthen the relationship with the city.

The corner building on Hessenplein is fully renovated, with the closed plinth replaced by transparency and liveliness. Large window openings and winter gardens bring daylight deep into the homes and create a subtle layering in the façade. The industrial character is preserved, yet given a new dimension that unites living and working in a contemporary context.

At the centre of the project lies a patio functioning as a green space, opening up the inner area. Where once a closed storage hall dominated, a place now emerges where light, air and greenery take precedence.

The result is a development that not only responds to today’s housing needs, but also contributes to the identity of the city. By carefully weaving old and new together, the Engels site once again becomes a recognisable place in Antwerp: firmly rooted in its past, yet ready for the future.