city hall of Turnhout

Turnhout City Hall (Stadhuis van Turnhout) stands on the north side of the Grote Markt, the main square of Turnhout in the Belgian province of Antwerp. Despite its central, historic-looking setting, the current building is actually a relatively recent construction by Flemish standards, erected between 1959 and 1961 based on plans that had been in preparation since 1948.

Who designed the building and where was it built?

The project was designed by architects A. Dumont and E. Patoux. The new city hall was built on a site where a 17th-century patrician's house, dating from around 1662, had previously stood. Because the chosen location was on the north side of the Grote Markt, construction required demolishing the earlier buildings there and disrupted the layout of gardens that had existed on the site.

Why was the construction controversial?

The decision to erect a monumental, modern structure in this spot drew criticism from the outset. Critics argued that the project destroyed the quiet, intimate character of the square's older buildings and set in motion a broader decline in the architectural quality of the city center. Valuable historic buildings were sacrificed to make way for the new city hall, and the scale of the new construction was seen as out of step with the traditional appearance of the Grote Markt.

What stood on this site before?

Before the current building, Turnhout's city hall functions were carried out in a much older, freestanding structure that also served as a cloth hall and meat hall. That building stood on the south side of the market square, along Herentalsstraat, with a history going back to at least the 14th century. It was repeatedly damaged by fire, notably in 1716, after which it was rebuilt in a classical style. Although it was granted protected monument status in 1936, that protection was later withdrawn, and the building was demolished in 1962 — shortly after the new city hall on the Grote Markt had already been completed.

What is the building used for today?

As most city services have relocated elsewhere, the former seat of Turnhout's municipal government has gradually taken on a new role. The building now houses the City Archives, and it is currently being transformed into a Heritage House — a space intended to document and preserve the history and identity of Turnhout for residents and visitors interested in the city's past.

Frequently asked questions

When was the current Turnhout City Hall built? The building was constructed between 1959 and 1961, though planning for it began as early as 1948.

Was there an earlier building on this site? Yes — a patrician's house stood there until 1662, while the city's original town hall was located elsewhere, on the south side of the market square, and was demolished in 1962.

Who designed the current city hall? Architects A. Dumont and E. Patoux.

Was the construction of the new city hall controversial? Yes, it was criticized for the demolition of valuable historic buildings and its negative impact on the square's architectural character.

What is the building used for now? It houses the City Archives and is being converted into a Heritage House.