The retail landscape in Belgium’s city centres is undergoing significant changes, with shopping centres in Gent and Antwerpen closing their doors. The Grand Bazar shopping centre at Groenplaats in Antwerpen is set to disappear to make way for a Hilton hotel expansion, following the recent closure of the Gent Zuid shopping centre. These developments highlight a shifting focus in urban planning and retail strategy as of 2025-08-02 00:50:00.
- Na shoppingcentrum Gent sluit Grand Bazar Antwerpen
- Grand Bazar maakt plaats voor Hilton-uitbreiding
- Dodelijk slachtoffer raakt Gentse vastgoedwereld
- Shoppingcenter werkt niet meer in stadscentrum
- Winkelcentrum Gent Zuid sluit definitief
- Karaktervolle locaties kunnen niet zomaar gebruikt worden
Local experts suggest that traditional shopping centres struggle to survive in historic city centres, where unique character and foot traffic patterns differ from suburban malls. In Antwerpen, only the Stadsfeestzaal remains a viable retail hub in the city centre, reflecting changing consumer preferences and commercial real estate Trends.
What does this mean for the future of shopping in Belgium’s urban cores? The evolving retail environment raises questions about how cities can balance heritage, commerce, and modern development.
Why are these shopping centres failing in city centres? The answer lies in a combination of factors:
- Urban shoppers prefer boutique stores and experiences over large malls.
- Historic city centres require developments that respect their character and architecture.
- Commercial real estate is shifting towards hospitality and mixed-use projects, such as the Hilton hotel expansion in Antwerpen.
- Only well-integrated retail locations like Stadsfeestzaal can thrive in these environments.
As Belgian cities continue to evolve, stakeholders must rethink retail strategies to align with changing consumer habits and urban values. Will new mixed-use developments successfully replace traditional shopping centres, or will city centres see a complete transformation in their commercial landscape? The coming years will be crucial for shaping Belgium’s urban future.
