Eilandje
The Vibe
Regenerating port district — the MAS museum's towering stack of interlocking boxes anchors a transformation from 19th-century dock infrastructure to the most architecturally adventurous neighborhood in Antwerp
Description
Eilandje — 'little island' — is Antwerp's former dock district north of the old town, built in the 19th century as the city's primary harbor and now undergoing ambitious urban transformation in Belgium. The MAS (Museum aan de Stroom, 2011) — a 60-metre tower of interlocking sandstone and glass boxes — has become the district's defining landmark and one of the most visited museums in Belgium, its spiral walkway offering panoramic views of the city and the Scheldt from the free-access outdoor terrace at the top. Around the MAS, former warehouse buildings are being converted to apartments, design studios, and restaurants, while the Bonaparte Dock and Willem Dock retain their original character as heritage-listed enclosed basins with moored boats. The Red Star Line Museum tells the story of the two million emigrants who departed Antwerp for America between 1873 and 1934.
Neighborhood Stats
Popular With
- culture-seekers
- architecture-lovers
- weekenders
- creative-class
Key Attributes
- regeneration
- waterfront
- museums
- architectural
- emerging
Food Scene
MAS café for the city's best free rooftop views. Felix Pakhuis (Godefriduskaai) in the converted warehouse for grand café dining. Kaffee de Zwaan (Eilandje) for Belgian beers in a dockside setting. Antwerp Social (Ankerrui) for contemporary neighborhood cooking.