A unique architectural project that bridges social history, contemporary art, and urban life. Zebrastraat, located in the city of Ghent, is much more than just a street: it is a reimagined historic complex where housing, culture, digital art, and events come together in a striking and vibrant setting.
Architecture Born of Social Need
In the early 20th century, as the Industrial Revolution transformed Ghent and workers struggled to find decent housing, architect Charles Van Rysselberghe designed an innovative housing complex in 1906, built on land that had once been home to the city’s zoo. This building, then known as De Cirk (“The Circus”), is distinguished by its central oval courtyard and its pioneering role in social housing.
From Workers’ Housing to a Cultural Space
After several decades, the complex fell into disrepair before being saved and renovated in the early 2000s by the Liedts-Meesen Foundation, respecting the original architecture. It then became the Zebrastraat project, a multipurpose space combining housing, cultural activities, contemporary art, events, and gathering places. Today, the site is home not only to residential apartments, but also to exhibition spaces, event venues, cafés, and music venues, as well as a collection of contemporary art integrated throughout the complex.
Contemporary Art in Dialogue with History
One of the most striking features of Zebrastraat is the presence of contemporary artworks directly integrated into the building, including spectacular structures installed on the roof or in the courtyard, created by artists such as Nick Ervinck. These installations create a visual dialogue between heritage and modern creativity, reinforcing the site’s unique identity.
A vibrant space in the heart of Ghent
Zebrastraat is not a museum frozen in time: it is a living space, punctuated by a varied cultural program—concerts, exhibitions, debates, artistic events, and social gatherings—that attracts both Ghent residents and visitors curious about unique experiences.
Why it’s unique
In an urban landscape where history and contemporary art sometimes coexist without intersecting, Zebrastraat succeeds in bringing together social housing, architectural heritage, and abundant creativity under one roof. It is an essential stop for those who wish to see how a working-class heritage can be reinvented as a vibrant cultural hub in the heart of Ghent.
