#openmonumentendag2024#antwerpen

The 36th Open Day at Antwerp’s heritage sites (Openmonumentendag) under the motto ‘En Route!’, which fell on 8 September 2024, was particularly successful. Many projects that have undergone restoration, renovation and rebranding were shown to the public. A sure hit was the former Smidt van Gelder Museum, a luxurious ‘belle epoque’ mansion on Belgiëlei 91. Like any universally recognised beauty, it has a difficult fate.

The endless queue of mostly 50 or even 60-plus people testified to the genuine public interest in the building in the 1990s. I must say that the organisation of the visit was perfect and this very queue did not linger at the door, but got white slippers and crossed the threshold to give birth to ‘Ah’ at the sight of exquisite interiors. In my opinion, with great respect, delicacy and taste of the halls being restored (the process is still underway). The restorer is AG Vespa, a well-known company on the market.

So, the former 1905 Hotel Thijs, one of the most luxurious mansions in Antwerp at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, was acquired by paper manufacturer and philanthropist Pieter Smidt van Gelder in 1937. He housed his large art collection and his own residence. In 1949, the building and the collection were donated to the city of Antwerp, which opened a municipal museum there. Subsequently, dark times awaited the House – a fire was the trigger for its withering and neglect. The city was even about to sell it to property developers with fatal plans for it (demolition). The building did have safety issues in terms of modern urban planning. The people of Antwerp organised pickets against the sale of the Gelder Museum and they managed to defend it. And it waited for its finest hour.

The mansion, and especially the French Garden (with cherubs and fountains – just like Versailles), are marvellously good and deserve a corresponding fate. It is still under consideration, but definitely lies in the plane of cultural-educational or high cousin.