Meir, Antwerp
Meir is the main shopping street in Antwerp, Belgium. It is the most important shopping area in the country, both by number of shoppers and by rent prices.[1] The street has been mostly pedestrianised since 1993. Situated in the centre of Antwerp, Meir connects the Town Hall with the Central Station. Between 2002-2004 it was the most expensive shopping street in the Benelux. Since the opening of the historic Stadsfeestzaal-shopping center in 2007 the Meir regained that position. It has the highest rents of any street in Belgium, at 1,700 €/square metre/year.[2] The name comes from the old Dutch word "meere" (lake). The Meir used to be a so-called "wood lake" (houtmeer), where wood destined for use in furniture would be kept wet for a time.[citation needed]
Historical buildings
- Meir 50: Royal Residence, built in 1745. This building served as the Antwerp residence of Belgian kings.
- Meir 85: Osterrieth House, built in 1746 in full Rococo-style
Surroundings
- The Neoclassical Bourla Theatre, built in 1827 and 1834 by architect Pierre Bruno Bourla.
- Central Station, completed 1905 in an eclectic style.
- Town Hall, completed 1564 in Flemish-Italian Renaissance style.
- Trading Exchange, reconstruction of one of the world's first stock-exchange built in 1531.
- Rubens House, historical home of the painter Rubens
References
- ^ Meir klopt voor het eerst Nieuwstraat als drukste winkelstraat 10 March 2010
- ^ High streets – the rental hit parade 10 March 2010
External links
