Article source: Neutelings Riedijk Architects

The Eilandje [The Islet]

The new MAS | Museum aan de Stroom [Museum by the River] is located in the centre of the district called ‘Eilandje’, the old harbour district by the centre of the old city. This district was originally called ‘Nieuwstad [New City]’, as it was the first city expansion constructed by land speculator and urban developer Gilbert van Schoonbeke (1519–1556) outside the Spanish fortress belt in the sixteenth century. The name Eilandje stems from the fact that this area was surrounded by water on four sides, so that it actually was an island when the bridges were up.

EVENING VIEW EAST (Image Courtesy SARAH BLEE)

• Architects: Neutelings Riedijk Architects
• Project: MAS| Museum aan de Stroom
• Location: Hanzestedenplaats | 2000 Antwerp | Belgium
• Programme: New Development | Museum for City History Antwerp, Museum, Restaurant, Party Room, Pavilions, Plaza
• Surface area: 20.000 m² floor surface­, 11.500 m² outdoor construction

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