What does the early Herentals Tourist Tower design reveal—and can visitors still go there?
Herentals has clarified that recently circulated images of a proposed renovation of its Tourist Tower are preliminary and that no final design has been approved. Visitors should not plan to climb the tower: its viewing platforms remain closed because of structural damage, although the surrounding Kempense Heuvelrug remains accessible.
The clarification prevents residents and visitors from mistaking an early rendering for an approved public project. More immediately, anyone planning a day trip must know that the tower climb remains unavailable even though walking routes through the surrounding landscape can still be enjoyed.
has clarified that images showing a possible renovation of its Tourist Tower appeared before the proposal was ready for public presentation, and that the city has not approved a final design. The practical takeaway is straightforward: treat the renderings as a work in progress, not as a picture of what will necessarily be built, and do not plan a visit around climbing the tower while its viewing platforms remain closed for safety reasons.
reported that the ontwerpvoorstel toeristentoren circulated too early and quoted the city as saying that nothing had yet been settled. The images prompted an immediate local debate because they appeared to replace parts of the familiar wooden character with metal railings and a more prominent viewing platform. found divided reactions: some residents objected to the modern materials and projecting floor plate, while others welcomed the contemporary approach.
That argument is about a preliminary proposal, not a construction decision. has been appointed to work on the renovation, but the available reporting does not establish a final appearance, approved budget, permit, works schedule or reopening date. It is therefore too soon to conclude that every feature visible in the renderings will survive technical discussions and the city’s decision-making process.
## Why is the tower closed?
The immediate issue is structural rather than aesthetic. closed the viewing platforms in April 2025 after an inspection found serious fungal damage in wooden beams supporting several floors. reported that some connections between beams and columns had rotted beneath an outer layer that still looked intact, weakening their load-bearing capacity. Mayor Jan Bertels said at the time that visitors would not be admitted until safety could be guaranteed.
The same inspection did not indicate an imminent collapse of the entire structure or a danger from falling pieces, according to , so the city did not establish a wider exclusion perimeter. The closure nevertheless means that older tourism pages describing the climb should not be read as live access information.
This distinction matters for newcomers and day-trippers. The Toeristentoren stands in woodland off in , in the Dutch-speaking province of Antwerp. In local information, “Toeristentoren” means Tourist Tower, while “” refers to the Campine ridge. Herentals is officially a stad, although English-speaking residents may loosely call its administration a municipality; on Dutch forms and websites, look for stad Herentals or gemeente rather than the French commune.
## Can you still visit the area?
Yes, but plan the outing as a woodland walk rather than a tower climb. describes an 8.4-kilometre discovery route through , beginning at the Netepark and passing the Kleine Nete, the medieval beguinage, nature areas and the . Its route description still mentions the tower’s 112 steps, so visitors should cross-check access with the city or local tourism office before setting out.
For public transport, the Flemish tourism portal identifies station and the Netepark area as useful access points for the wider route. Timetables and bus numbers can change, so consult the official SNCB/NMBS and De Lijn journey planners on the day. Drivers can use the Netepark area as a starting point for the published walk rather than assuming that tower facilities or parking arrangements are unchanged.
The provincial tourism service also presents the tower area as the starting point for the four-kilometre children’s walk De woeste bergen van Baroes. Families can therefore still use the forest and walking offer, subject to any signs or temporary diversions on site. The safest rule is to obey local barriers and never attempt to enter a closed staircase, even if an older brochure or third-party listing says the attraction is open.
## Why does the design provoke such strong reactions?
The tower carries more emotional weight than its modest scale suggests. Its own historical account says the first structure opened on 26 July 1958, when local tourism organisers used the momentum of Expo 58 to promote the surrounding landscape. Architect Frans Verelst designed that tower for the wooded dunes known as De Paepekelders.
Woodworm damage and a lightning strike eventually contributed to the original tower’s removal in 1983. A replacement was built in 1985 with 112 wooden steps, a 24-metre structure and a highest floor about 22 metres above the ground, according to the tower’s historical website. The present renovation debate is therefore not the first moment when has had to decide how much of a cherished landmark can be preserved while making it durable and safe.
Residents defending the familiar silhouette see the timber construction and open views down through the structure as part of the experience. Those open to ARAT’s preliminary approach may see metal protection and a larger platform as practical tools for safety, durability or accessibility. No published final technical assessment yet shows which interpretation will prevail, and visual preference alone cannot determine whether a structural solution is viable.
## What happens next?
and its design team must refine the proposal, establish the necessary interventions and communicate which version—if any—will proceed. Questions still requiring firm answers include the cost, procurement and permit route, treatment of the damaged wood, future management of the café or hospitality space, construction timing and reopening date.
Until the city publishes those decisions through its official Dutch-language channels, residents should read the disputed renderings as consultation-stage material. Tourists can still enjoy the Kleine Nete and , but the panoramic climb that made the tower a local landmark remains unavailable. The enduring story is less about one metal railing than about how a Flemish municipality renews a place that is simultaneously infrastructure, landscape marker and shared memory.
Impact
Regional — The closure removes a familiar viewpoint from the tourism offer of Herentals and the Antwerp Kempen, while the design discussion tests how the city balances safety, heritage character, maintenance and visitor experience.
Local — The closure affects Herentals and the wider Antwerp Kempen by removing a familiar woodland viewpoint from the local tourism offer. Walkers may still use the Kempense Heuvelrug and published routes, but the tower itself cannot currently serve as a destination for panoramic views. The renovation debate also matters locally because Herentals must weigh structural safety, maintenance, heritage character and visitor experience before approving a design. Until then, tourism information should clearly distinguish accessible trails from the closed viewing platforms.
What it means for you
If you are planning a trip to Herentals, do not expect to climb the Toeristentoren: its viewing platforms remain closed, and the early renovation images do not indicate that reopening is imminent. Check official local tourism information before travelling for any change in access. You can still plan a walk through the Kempense Heuvelrug or use the published Discovery Tour of Herentals as an alternative. No final renovation design or reopening date is identified in the information on file, so avoid basing travel plans on the circulated rendering.
Opposing perspectives
- Residents favouring the familiar wooden character
Some Herentals residents argue that metal railings and a strongly projecting platform would weaken the tower’s recognisable character. For this constituency, the open timber construction and the experience of looking down through it are not incidental details but part of the landmark’s identity.
- Supporters of a contemporary renovation
Other local reactions welcome a modern interpretation. This position leaves room for new materials where they can improve durability, safety or the visitor experience, although the publicly available reporting does not yet demonstrate which technical choices are necessary.
- City and design team at the preliminary stage
Herentals’ central message is procedural: the circulated proposal is not a final decision. The municipality and ARAT Architecten still need to refine the project, meaning neither admirers nor opponents of the renderings can assume that the depicted version will be built.
Who, where and what
Key people, places and terms in this story
City responsible for clarifying the proposal’s status and managing access to the tower.
Woodland area surrounding the tower that remains accessible for walking.
Street near the tower’s location in Herentals.
Sub-region whose tourism offer includes Herentals and the tower area.
News organisation reporting on the premature proposal images and the tower closure.
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City responsible for clarifying the proposal’s status and managing access to the tower.
Woodland area surrounding the tower that remains accessible for walking.
Street near the tower’s location in Herentals.
Sub-region whose tourism offer includes Herentals and the tower area.
News organisation reporting on the premature proposal images and the tower closure.
Wooden observation tower whose platforms are closed and whose renovation is under discussion.
Alternative name associated with the Toeristentoren.
Architecture practice developing the preliminary renovation proposal.
Newspaper reporting divided public reactions to the preliminary design.
Tourism body publishing the Discovery Tour of Herentals as a walking option.
Provincial tourism organisation providing visitor information for Herentals.
Published walking itinerary available as an alternative to climbing the closed tower.
Sources & evidence
- View sourceVRT NWS — preliminary Tourist Tower proposal appeared too earlyPrimaryprimary· vrtnws.beRetrieved 24 August 2026
- View sourceVRT NWS — tower closed over stability problemscorroborating· vrt.be· 3 April 2025Retrieved 24 August 2026· 547 days ago· Dated
- View sourceHet Nieuwsblad — divided reactions to the design proposalcorroborating· nieuwsblad.beRetrieved 24 August 2026
- View sourceVISITFLANDERS — Discovery Tour of Herentalsofficial· visitflanders.comRetrieved 24 August 2026
Related topics
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This briefing was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by a Belgium Impulse editor before publication. methodology.