The building

The Leienpaleis belongs to House Dhanis (Huis Dhanis) which is classified as a heritage monument. It was built between 1870 and 1873 for Guillaume Dhanis, a renowned merchant, and son of Antoine Dhanis, who was a prominent banker, a member of the Antwerp municipal committee and the president of the Chamber of Commerce. The residence was conceived by the famous architect Lieven Van Opstal, who fundamentally shaped the stature of the Frankrijklei by designing a series of neoclassical mansions between 1860 and 1870. The Leienpaleis smoothly blends into the landscape of imposing edifices, such as the National Bank, the former Courthouse, and the Opera, which were all built after the demolition of the city walls dating from the Spanish rule. The Palace has been miraculously saved from major transformations and finds itself today in its almost original condition. The imposing marble entrance leads to a ‘bel-etage’ first floor of various salons with heavily decorated walls with murals and silk coverings. The grace of the wooden floors and the chimneys grant the building a kind of cozy monumentality. 

After being used as offices in the eighties and as a private property for many centuries, The Leienpaleis is now happy to open its doors to the public. Needless to say, as the building was given new functions, many adjustments were required. In the refurbishment, our aim has invariably been to respect the the historical character of the building. All original elements remained intact. Adjustments to the interior were made purely for functional reasons. These additions are clearly distinguishable from the original elements, but do not disrupt the integrity of the overall concept. On the contrary, they enhance the outline and versatility of the building. Each new volume has been thoughtfully designed and does not violate the historical value of the heritage. For each adjustment, we closely observed the guidelines of the architects involved and of the authority for the Preservation of Monuments (Monumentenwacht). 

Rental

The Leienpaleis is a palace open to everyone. As a private person, you can organise your own tailor-made event. All kinds of customisations are possible and negotiable. Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your project! We will be happy to welcome you personally and to help you achieve your goal: to make of your event a memorable day, evening or night!

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