1. The History
The eight concrete silos known as "Les Silos des Bastions" is site of the former Dapsens cement works. Located on the Rue de la Lys in the Belgium city of Tournai, they represent possibly the oldest example of prestressed concrete in Belgium. Looking from Rue de la Lys, the four silos on the left were constructed first in 1922 and made of reinforced concrete. The four on the right were a later addition, built in 1943 (see archive picture below) during the second world war, and made of prestressed concrete, along with the corridor that runs across the top of all 8 silos, connecting them via a conveyor belt.
Source: Photograph © Studio Severin, Blaton Archive, Fondation CIVA (reproduced under the Creative Commons licence)
After the cement works closed, the silos were subsequently acquired by Les Silos Des Bastions SA and converted for grain storage and used as part of the company’s wholesale trade in livestock feed and agricultural products. Once no longer required by the company, the silo’s were left unused and abandoned for some time.
The silos appeared in the news in July 2022, which announced that Belgium construction company Dherte were proposing to build 68 apartments, offices, a commercial space and public spaces, based on designs by architect Bertrand Feys. With an estimated cost of €25m, work was scheduled to begin in the second half of 2023. Plans showed the older four silos being demo’ed but the preservation the four newer silos and the paraboloid building next to them, all framed by three new buildings. The estimated completion date for the project was the end of 2025, however despite all of this, as of December, 2024, the site remains as it has been for the last few years.
2. The Explore
The first of several reports from my recent trip to Belgium. Although I had this place pinned, I hadn’t planned to explore here. I was in between my first explore at a local brickworks (report coming later) and a nearby mansion that turned out to be a no go and my route took me past the silos and thought I’d park up to take a few externals. Then I noticed access was pretty easy so I decided to pop in. Glad I did as it was a very photogenic place. There were clearly plans for work to start on the site as the contract workers container rooms were on site. However, the work has failed to start. As I was pushed for time, didn’t climb up the metal staircase to the conveyor belt but now wished I had of done given the pictures I have seen of the views. That said, got enough externals and internals to merit a report.
3. The Pictures
Looking from the main road at the older four silo’s:
And all eight:
And all eight silos again from the opposite side:
Love this massive concrete parasol supported by just a single column at the front of the works:
And in we go. Bit of graff on the four older silos:
Love this simple form of the silos:
Especially in black and white:
Rear view:
The end structure:
Close up of the control panel:
Stairway to the top:
Staircase on one of the older silos:
That takes you up onto the mezzanine level:
Bye-bye silo’s:
That's all folks!!!!
The eight concrete silos known as "Les Silos des Bastions" is site of the former Dapsens cement works. Located on the Rue de la Lys in the Belgium city of Tournai, they represent possibly the oldest example of prestressed concrete in Belgium. Looking from Rue de la Lys, the four silos on the left were constructed first in 1922 and made of reinforced concrete. The four on the right were a later addition, built in 1943 (see archive picture below) during the second world war, and made of prestressed concrete, along with the corridor that runs across the top of all 8 silos, connecting them via a conveyor belt.
Source: Photograph © Studio Severin, Blaton Archive, Fondation CIVA (reproduced under the Creative Commons licence)
After the cement works closed, the silos were subsequently acquired by Les Silos Des Bastions SA and converted for grain storage and used as part of the company’s wholesale trade in livestock feed and agricultural products. Once no longer required by the company, the silo’s were left unused and abandoned for some time.
The silos appeared in the news in July 2022, which announced that Belgium construction company Dherte were proposing to build 68 apartments, offices, a commercial space and public spaces, based on designs by architect Bertrand Feys. With an estimated cost of €25m, work was scheduled to begin in the second half of 2023. Plans showed the older four silos being demo’ed but the preservation the four newer silos and the paraboloid building next to them, all framed by three new buildings. The estimated completion date for the project was the end of 2025, however despite all of this, as of December, 2024, the site remains as it has been for the last few years.
2. The Explore
The first of several reports from my recent trip to Belgium. Although I had this place pinned, I hadn’t planned to explore here. I was in between my first explore at a local brickworks (report coming later) and a nearby mansion that turned out to be a no go and my route took me past the silos and thought I’d park up to take a few externals. Then I noticed access was pretty easy so I decided to pop in. Glad I did as it was a very photogenic place. There were clearly plans for work to start on the site as the contract workers container rooms were on site. However, the work has failed to start. As I was pushed for time, didn’t climb up the metal staircase to the conveyor belt but now wished I had of done given the pictures I have seen of the views. That said, got enough externals and internals to merit a report.
3. The Pictures
Looking from the main road at the older four silo’s:
And all eight:
And all eight silos again from the opposite side:
Love this massive concrete parasol supported by just a single column at the front of the works:
And in we go. Bit of graff on the four older silos:
Love this simple form of the silos:
Especially in black and white:
Rear view:
The end structure:
Close up of the control panel:
Stairway to the top:
Staircase on one of the older silos:
That takes you up onto the mezzanine level:
Bye-bye silo’s:
That's all folks!!!!
