Museum aan de Stroom (building)

Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) is the striking museum building that rises above the former docks of Antwerp's Eilandje district. Designed by Neutelings Riedijk Architects, the structure stands roughly 60 metres tall and has been one of the most recognisable additions to the city's skyline since it opened in May 2011.

What does the MAS building look like?

The museum is built from ten enormous "boxes" clad in red Indian sandstone, stacked on top of one another in a form the architects described as a physical demonstration of the weight of history. Each floor is rotated a quarter turn relative to the one below, creating a continuous spiral route that winds up through the building to a rooftop viewing gallery. The stone volumes are interrupted by curved glass panels, and the whole facade is wrapped in a metal lattice patterned with hands — a symbol tied to the city of Antwerp's coat of arms and founding legend.

Why was it built on this particular site?

The location beside the old harbour basins is deliberate. This exact spot was once occupied by the Hansahuis, the trading house and warehouse built in 1568 for the Hanseatic cities active in Antwerp. For three centuries it was one of the city's most important buildings, until it burned down in 1893. In 1998 the Antwerp city council decided the new museum should rise on this site, Hanzestedenplaats, and the first brick of the current building was laid on 14 September 2006. The project formed part of a broader regeneration of the former port area, which has since developed into a lively residential and cultural district.

What is stored inside?

The building itself functions as both a giant storeroom and an exhibition space. The MAS collection holds around 470,000 objects, the majority of which are kept in storage areas not normally open to visitors. The first public gallery, known as the "visible storage", still lets guests see about 180,000 items arranged across several floors of shelving — one of the features that sets MAS apart from a conventional history museum.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Museum aan de Stroom open? The building opened to the public in May 2011, although construction had already begun in September 2006.

Who designed the MAS building? The building was designed by the Dutch firm Neutelings Riedijk Architects, working alongside the engineering office responsible for the structure.

What stood on this site before the museum? From 1568 the site was occupied by the Hansahuis, a trading house built for the Hanseatic cities, which was destroyed by fire in 1893.

What is the facade made of? The facade combines red Indian sandstone with curved glass panels, all covered by a metal lattice featuring a hand motif linked to Antwerp's symbol.

Can visitors see over the city from the building? Yes, the spiral route inside leads up to a rooftop viewing gallery overlooking the Scheldt river, the port and the old Eilandje docks.

How many objects does the museum hold? The collection comprises about 470,000 objects, of which roughly 180,000 are displayed in the publicly accessible "visible storage" gallery.