Boekentoren
Address Rozier 9
City/Neighborhood Ghent
Style(s)
- Modernism
Original use
- Official building
- Education
Année 1933
Architect(s) and/or artist(s)
- Van de Velde Henry
The "boekentoren" as the people of Ghent familiarly call it, is a 64m high, 20-storey tower overlooking the Ghent University Library.
It was imagined and designed by Henry Van de Velde in 1933, when he was 70.
Work began in 1936 and was completed in 1942. It was occupied by the Germans before returning to its original use after 45.
In a modernist style, it stands out completely from the city's classic and old environment.
The architect wanted a new tower, next to the St Bavon, St Nicolas and the Belfry towers.
He used modern materials such as smoothed concrete, metal, glass, but also hard stone for the foundations.
The whole was fundamentally restored between 2012 and 2022, and has regained all its authority.
The belvedere at the very top of the tower has been meticulously restored with period exotic woods.
The whole has been listed since July 1992
GEN31 - Unless otherwise stated © www.admirable-artdeco.be for all photos