Antwerp loses another shopping centre as Grand Bazar to close

Antwerp’s city-centre shopping centre Grand Bazar will follow the example of the Century Center and Gent Zuid: the stores in the centre of the building will go and only those on the street side will remain. The concept has become outdated, its owners say.

Already in Decline

Real estate developer Iret has announced it will close the historic shopping centre at Antwerp’s central square Groenplaats, which has been in a steep decline in the past few years. Rather, the building will be used for office space and an expansion of the neighbouring Hilton hotel. “A city-centre shopping centre simply no longer works”, spokesperson Tanguy Ottomer told local station Radio 2.