The city of Antwerp is conducting extensive safety work on the façade of the renowned Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) in the Eilandje district to protect the building and passersby from potentially falling tiles during storms.
The direct surroundings of MAS have long been known to be unsafe during stormy weather. Several brown-red tiles have detached from the façade and fallen to the ground in recent years, fortunately without causing injuries.
In 2019, the city of Antwerp commissioned a consultancy to examine the wind effects around the building, which identified serious safety risks during strong winds. Monumentenwacht, the provincial organization responsible for the upkeep of valuable heritage sites, had previously found issues with the anchoring and adhesion of the tiles during inspections.
As a precaution, the fire brigade currently sets up a safety perimeter around the building during severe storms. However, the city aims for a permanent solution and is planning substantial safety work.
An initial test phase will determine how many tiles need to be replaced. The cost responsibilities will be clarified in an ongoing legal case that started in 2019. The city is not yet commenting on the potential financial impact.
