Credit: Courtesy of Red Star Line, Filip Dujardin

Red Star Line Museum

BBB's restoration gives the historic Red Star Line inspection station new life as a museum that celebrates the emigrant experience.

The Red Star Line buildings, overlooking the River Scheldt, are landmark structures with great historic value to the city of Antwerp and the broader history of European emigration. Three modest maritime buildings, which date to the early twentieth century, were the place through which more than two million emigrants departed for America between 1873 and 1934, including future luminaries Golda Meir and Irving Berlin. BBB led the design and transformation of the buildings into a contemporary museum that maintains the character of the original structures. The buildings are fully restored to house interpretive exhibits, areas for quiet contemplation, a resource center, and support functions such as ticketing, reception, a gift shop, and a café. A striking steel and glass observation tower lends the Museum an iconic and contemporary presence on the Antwerp waterfront and provides visitors with a panoramic, open-air view of the city.

 

Client

City of Antwerp, Belgium

Location

Antwerp, Belgium

Size

33,400 SF

Completed

2013

People

FAIA, LEED AP
Partner, Director of Historic Preservation
Partner-in-Charge
AIA, LEED AP
Senior Associate, Project Architect
Associate, Corporate Graphic Designer
LEED AP
Senior Associate, Environmental Graphic Designer