Zuiderpershuis, Industrial heritage and cultural center in Antwerp, Belgium
The Zuiderpershuis is an industrial building in Antwerp featuring two cylindrical towers, a machine hall, and steam boiler rooms in neo-baroque architecture at Waalsekaai. The structure contains multiple spaces, a main performance hall, and smaller rooms designed for workshops and events.
The building was constructed as a power facility for the port and operated between 1883 and 1977 as a hydraulic energy station. During this period it powered numerous port equipment and played an important role in Antwerp's harbor infrastructure.
The building now serves as a venue for theater performances, concerts, and artistic projects that engage the local community. Its spaces are used by various cultural groups, contributing to the city's vibrant arts scene.
Access is best from the parking area at Waalsekaai, and the building is easy to locate from the outside. Guided tours begin from the bar area, where visitors can learn about the various spaces and the facility's technical history.
The accumulators preserved in the towers are the only surviving examples from all hydraulic power stations in Antwerp's port history. These devices demonstrate the advanced technology used in early 20th-century port operations.
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