Antwerp Photo Gallery - Zuid

While Zuid is a fairly trendy place today with museums, parks, beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, and upscale shops, it wasn't long ago when this part of south Antwerp was undesirable. The district was originally developed at the end of the 19th century on the old Spanish citadel. It had elegant streets, wide avenues, and grand buildings. However, the area fell into decline in the 1960s but has luckily been rejuvenated into a fashionable residential area with several museums. Further south, Nieuw Zuid is a rejuvenation project where former rail yards were transformed into a new district. It all started in 2010 and the first residents moved in 5 years later. The many skyscraper residences are just a short walk to the waterfront promenade and Zuidpark. Vlinderpaleis, or the Butterfly Palace, opened in 2006 as the new court. Located at Bolivarplaats where the highway interchange cuts off the city, the building was meant to bridge the divide and become a gateway to the city. The roof form is inspired by Flemish paintings of barges passing along canals.