City hall of Sint-Niklaas, Gothic Revival town hall on Grote Markt, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
Sint-Niklaas city hall is a neo-Gothic building designed by Pieter Van Kerkhove and built between 1876 and 1878. Its 40-metre belfry tower houses a 49-bell carillon, and the facade, belfry and entrance hall are of white Gobertange stone. The building is 39 metres wide and 24.75 metres high, measured from the roof.
After a devastating fire in 1874, architect Pieter Van Kerckhove designed this neo-Gothic building, which was inaugurated by King Leopold II in 1878. The rebuilding at this location was controversial, as the square was originally meant to remain free of structures.
The tower's 49-bell carillon was installed in 1904 for the city's centenary of city rights; the bells were cast by Leuven founder Felix Van Aerschodt and first played by Mechelen city carillonneur Jef Denyn. Sint-Niklaas's first carillonneur was his pupil Alfons Rolliers, appointed in July 1904.
The town hall faces the Grote Markt, and its two entrance staircases sit at the base of the belfry. The rear facade on the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat side is plainer, in Rupelmonde brick, and since 2016 a new right wing has housed the city shop and city archive. The building is a protected monument since 1981.
The belfry drew criticism during construction for being "too thin" and lacking character; Van Kerkhove answered in 1878 by adding louvered sound openings, which gave the tower more weight and made room for a carillon. The four lions at the foot of the entrance stairs were finished by Frans Van Havermaet in 1884.
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