A pioneering suspended-structure office tower that defies gravity through cable engineering and a daring cantilevered design.
At a glance
Completed in 1963, the BP Building stands as an audacious example of structural innovation. Its floors appear to float, anchored not by traditional supports but by external cables connected to roof beams. The entire weight of the structure—floors, roof beams, and walls—transfers through a central core to the ground below.
History
Belgian architect Léon Stynen designed the building for BP as its corporate headquarters. Since its completion, the tower has changed hands; it has been known as the Axa-Royale Belge Tower and is now owned by Buysse & Partners Smart Assets, which acquired it in 2018. Despite these transitions, it remains recognized by its original BP designation.
What you see
The building’s most striking feature is its suspended-structure system. External cables run visibly down the façade, anchored high above and supporting each floor as it cantilevers outward. This engineering approach eliminates interior columns on the floors themselves, creating open, unobstructed office spaces. The structural honesty—cables, beams, and core all expressed on the exterior—marks it as Modernist and Brutalist in aesthetic.
Cultural significance
The BP Building represents a bold moment in postwar European modernism, when architects and engineers explored radical solutions to the challenge of tall buildings. Its cable-suspension method was unconventional for its time and demonstrates the technical ambition of 1960s commercial architecture.
Key facts
- Country: Belgium
- City: Antwerp
- Completed: 1963
- Architect: Léon Stynen
- Structural system: Suspended cantilevered floors with external cable supports
- Current owner: Buysse & Partners Smart Assets (since 2018)
- Coordinates: 51.1925, 4.3975
Practical information & getting there
The building is located in central Antwerp and is visible from the street. Hours of access and interior tours are not documented here; inquiries should be directed to the current building management.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online
Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.
Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una fotoDo you manage this place?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Keep it accurate — and make it work for you. Free for non-profit heritage institutions.