Client
AG Vespa
Location
Antwerp
Architects
Temporary joint venture Beyer Blinder Belle - Arcade
Engineering consultancies
Temporary joint venture Beyer Blinder Belle - Arcade
Construction period
03/2011 - 02/2013
Red Star Line
Red Star Line Museum: a restored heritage site featuring a striking tower and panoramic views over the River Scheldt.
A Landmark of Migration History
The City of Antwerp acquired the historic Red Star Line buildings to create a memorial that tells the story of emigrants who once departed from here. This protected monument was carefully restored and complemented by a contemporary tower overlooking the Scheldt. The tower not only enhances the building’s visibility but also plays a key role in the visitor experience, offering a unique perspective along the museum’s discovery trail.
The Viewing Tower: A Striking Architectural Feature
STRABAG managed the restoration of the Red Star Line Museum’s Phase 2, blending heritage preservation with contemporary design. Works included restoring authentic masonry, roofing, doors, windows, and infrastructure, while adding new stairs, elevators, and a 30-meter-high observation tower. The restoration aimed to return masonry, joinery, and paintwork to their 1929 condition. Original buildings were preserved wherever possible, complemented by modern elements such as technical room flooring, a newly built tower, and a transparent viewing platform accessible by elevator or spiral staircase. This exposed concrete structure offers sweeping views of the Scheldt—the river from which emigrants once departed.
-
-
