Londenstraat apartments Antwerp

At the boundary between the Eilandje district and the historic Cadix neighbourhood in Antwerp, a small-scale residential project comprising eight apartments is taking shape. The project is embedded within an urban block that combines nineteenth-century buildings and recent developments, integrated into the orthogonal street grid of the former docklands.

The existing building, originally an inn dating from the late nineteenth century, bears witness to the maritime past of the Eilandje. After years of alterations and deterioration, a thorough revitalisation became necessary. The redevelopment adopts a nuanced approach: the building at 4 Londonstraat retains and restores its historic street façade, while the building at 2 Londonstraat makes way for a new volume with a contemporary architectural expression, sensitive to its context.

The restored façade will once again be finished in white render, preserving characteristic elements such as the blue stone plinth, the window proportions, and the cornice. The new volume asserts its own identity, while aligning in height and scale with the surrounding buildings, incorporating recessed upper floors to ensure discreet integration.

The eight apartments have been designed with particular attention to daylight, residential quality, and outdoor space. Terraces, green roofs, and a collective bicycle storage area in the basement contribute to a sustainable urban living environment. The result is a harmonious ensemble that respects the heritage while adding a new layer to the urban fabric — as if it had always been there.