OUDAAN
Renaat Braem
Renaat Braem is widely regarded as one of Belgium's most influential architects and urban planners of the twentieth century. A visionary inspired by Le Corbusier, he believed architecture should do more than shape buildings; it should improve the way people live together.
His work combines bold modernist design with a strong social vision, always seeking a balance between functionality, community and human experience. Today, Braem's legacy continues to define the architectural identity of Antwerp and far beyond.
When architect Renaat Braem designed the Administrative Centre, he envisioned far more than a government building. Inspired by the post-war concept of the civic core, his ambition was to create the beating heart of the city; a place where public life, community and architecture would come together. The building was conceived as a symbol of openness, civic pride and connection, restoring the city centre as a place where people would meet, interact and feel part of something greater.
WAVE’s connection with the Oudaan goes back more than a decade. Ten years ago, Tanguy Westerlund and Eddy Leemans (Groep L) submitted the winning bid to acquire the building.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the completion of the sale was postponed, allowing the police to remain at the Oudaan for several more years while their new premises were being completed, an arrangement to which neither buyer had any objection. The acquisition was ultimately finalised in 2023. Since then, the Oudaan has served as a striking temporary location for several major international productions, including Netflix series.
Originally designed as an administrative centre for the City of Antwerp and later used as the headquarters of the Antwerp police, the Oudaan is now ready for a new chapter. Our ambition is to transform this architectural landmark into a contemporary office building while preserving its distinctive identity. The plans also explore opportunities to create a more public-oriented space around the building and make the top three floors accessible to the public.
Today, we are engaged in intensive discussions with the relevant city departments, the fire brigade, heritage authorities and architects to prepare our permit application. Part of this process involves awaiting the results of several ongoing studies. While our initial goal was to have the application ready by September 2026, we now aim to submit a final application by the end of the year (2026), with the support of all parties involved.
This will provide a clear framework for the Oudaan’s future as an Antwerp landmark, allowing us to explore both temporary uses and its long-term transformation into a contemporary office building.
