City Views Ghent/Belgium – The old Fish Market (Oude Vismijn) at St.Veerleplein

In January 2007 the restauration of the old fish market (Oude Vismijn) at St. Veerleplein, in front of Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts of Flanders), was started. Two companies, N.V. Vic from Antwerp and Lofting & Urbis Group Gent, which acquired commercial exploitation rights for 60 years, will invest approx. 10 million Euro to reshape the building which has been vacant for more than 15 years and is now in desolate condition into a new center of attraction. The new fish market (Nieuwe Vismijn) will have a walking area with view onto the rivers Leie and Schelde and host an event hall, as well as a first class restaurant, an oyster, wine & whisky bar and a pub. The works directed by Arrow, an architectural firm specializing in renovation, will probably be completed in 2009. Let’s hope the place will finally retain its original charm and character and really will be converted into a new attraction for Ghent.