Multi Development Belgium wins BLRW Shopping Award for Stadsfeestzaal

Stadsfeestzaal Shopping Centre in Antwerp (20,500 m²) has been chosen by the Belgium-Luxembourg Shopping Centre Board (BLRW) as winner of the Shopping Award for the best shopping center in Belgium and Luxembourg of 2008. Stadsfeestzaal is a project of Multi Development Belgium and was opened in October 2007. T+T Design of Gouda supplied the concept. The renovation of the striking, 100-year old Stadsfeestzaal in Antwerp, which was almost destroyed by fire in 2000, not only meant the return of a much-loved historic building to the city center, but also linked together two separate shopping areas with 20,500 m² of new shops and sustainable public space.
   The biennial BLRW award is being awarded as a major recognition of the vision and perseverance needed to realize this project with architecture of the highest quality. It has also been a stimulus to both the government and private parties to work to achieve first-class, sustainable city center developments.
   The jury’s reasons for awarding the Shopping Award 2008 to Stadsfeestzaal included the impressive performance, which was needed in view of the level of difficulty (historic building) and the setback during construction (fire). The jury was very impressed by the high level of technical finishing and extremely professional approach taken throughout the project. They also referred to the excellent market positioning and reputation of Stadsfeestzaal even long before the opening.

BLRW
    BLRW is the Belgium-Luxembourg Shopping Centre Board (Belgisch-Luxemburgse Raad voor Winkelcentra). The organization sets itself the objective of forming a basis of support for both the promotion of the collective interests of its members in the development, financing, operation and management of shopping centers, in the broadest sense of the word, and the promotion of these centers in the Belgian and Luxembourg markets.

The project
    Stadsfeestzaal is a historic building located between Hopland, with its broad selection of luxury shops, and De Meir, the most popular shopping street in Antwerp. The imposing 19th-century neoclassical building was destroyed by a large fire in 2000. Multi Development restored the building to its former glory, paying particular attention to its historic details and luxurious image. The unique building is now a new shopping hotspot, and also forms a perfect meeting place in the city center.
   Stadsfeestzaal comprises 20,500 m² of shopping space, spread over four floors, and houses 40 national and international retailers. The project combines fashion, leisure and gastronomy in a unique mix of historic and modern architecture.
   The concept for Stadsfeestzaal originated from Multi’s in-house design agency T+T Design, in collaboration with the Danish firm of architects Exners Tegnestue. The Belgian firm of architects Ferre Verbaenen was engaged as executive architect. In order to retain the historic character of Stadsfeestzaal, historic architect Romain Berteloot was also brought in. Stadsfeestzaal is a joint investment of Multi and Bank of Ireland Private Banking.