Cogels Osylei

In the Zurenborg neighborhood, on the southeast side of Antwerp’s city center, lies the Cogels-Osylei. This street is a notable piece of architecture that is often overlooked by international visitors, despite its historical value and unique character.

The Cogels-Osylei is known for its mansions from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The buildings display a mix of Belle Époque styles, with Neo-Gothic towers, neoclassical columns, and Art Nouveau decorations standing side by side. Most of the villas were built between 1894 and 1908 by well-known architects, commissioned by wealthy residents eager to showcase their taste and status.

There are a few striking exceptions. Number 86 is now a modest pharmacy that seems slightly out of place, while the modernist facades of numbers 29-31 are not appreciated by all.

The street itself has a calm atmosphere. Wrought-iron fences surround small gardens with cherry trees, and old lamp posts illuminate the cobblestones. Even though a tram or bus occasionally passes, it remains a spot where the history of the neighborhood is clearly visible.

Exploring further into Zurenborg reveals more remarkable architecture in side streets like Transvaalstraat and Pretoriastraat. After a period of decline following World War II, the area has been restored and preserved, making Cogels-Osylei and its surroundings an important part of Antwerp’s heritage today.