Design for underground spaces and infrastructure beneath Groenplaats Antwerp

In 2025, the Groenplaats in Antwerp will undergo a thorough makeover. Thanks to a new, contemporary, climate-resilient, and future-oriented design, the square will become a true meeting place for Antwerp's residents. Witteveen+Bos and Cross Architecture have developed the technical and architectural design of the underground spaces and infrastructure beneath the Groenplaats and the adjacent streets. A year later, the aboveground infrastructure of the Groenplaats and the surrounding streets was also included in the project.

Their design includes underground renovations of the premetro station, a parking facility with provisions for electric vehicles and shared mobility, and the construction of a new bicycle parking accommodating 420 bikes. The underground space thus becomes an extension of the renovated Groenplaats, a square where it's pleasant to linger and where residents and visitors easily utilize various modes of transportation to reach the city center.

The design prioritizes simple integration, considering the substructure as an inviting and high-quality extension of the public space.

At the top of the square, a modern central access to the underground, a double row of new trees in a rectangle, and new benches will be installed. Within the rectangle, the statue of Rubens will be relocated, and a water feature will be added. Space for restaurant terraces will be provided along the facades. Future trees will be planted at the corners of the square, ensuring greenery is visible from the surrounding streets. Future trees are standalone trees that have ample space to grow, adding allure and character to a place. The surrounding streets will also be redesigned.

Climate adaptation is a focal point. This includes the construction of two large water buffers and a fully separate sewer system. Additionally, an ingenious underground system has been designed to ensure optimal growing conditions for mature trees.