The plans for the new center date from 2022, when Nieuwpoort collaborated with B-architects, Bresser’s Heritage and Arcadis to work out a future-oriented design. An important part of the project is the integration of the historic city hall. The protected monument, the Belfort of which has also enjoyed the UNESCO World Heritage Status since 1999, brings special challenges. After all, every architectural intervention must be accurately coordinated with the competent heritage agencies.
The three requested openings in the rear of the Stadshale, for example, were reduced to one central opening at the request of the Immovable Heritage Agency, because this facade may still contain medieval pieces of wall with a certain heritage value.