If you are standing on Saint Michael’s Bridge trying to find the perfect angle for a photograph, your gaze will inevitably be drawn to the majestic façade that seems to float above the square. This is the former Main Post Office building, affectionately known by locals as “De Groote Post.” Today, it is not merely an architectural monument but a vibrant centre of city life, where history meets luxury and shopping.
A Masterpiece of Eclecticism: History and Architecture
At the end of the 19th century, the plan was to build the Royal Dutch Theatre on this site, but the plans changed, and the site passed into state ownership. In 1896, the Minister of Railways, Post and Telegraph commissioned the ambitious architect-engineer Louis Cloquet, with the support of Stephane Mortier, to create a new postal centre capable of adorning the city in time for the 1913 World’s Fair.
Construction of the Main Post Office of Ghent lasted from 1899 to 1910. The architects took an innovative approach: they consciously turned to the styles of Brabantine Gothic and the Renaissance to visually link the new building with the medieval guild houses along the Graslei embankment and the Gothic appearance of the city hall. However, the external “antiquity” is deceptive. Cloquet was a true engineer of his time: beneath the layers of white and grey limestone, including stone from Gobertange and Tournai, lay advanced reinforced concrete structures, steel trusses, and glass ceilings. The composition is crowned by the clock tower.
The Clock Tower: Heart of the Old Post Office of Ghent
Among the multitude of medieval spires that crown Ghent, one tower stands out for its particular elegance and is visible from almost any point in the historic centre. Whether you are standing on the Graslei embankment or crossing Saint Michael’s Bridge, your eye will inevitably be caught by the slender silhouette rising above the rooftops of the guild houses. This is the clock tower of the former post office — an architectural landmark that has been marking the rhythm of city life for over a century.
The tower reaches a height of 52 metres. Some sources, however, indicate 54 metres — the difference likely depending on whether the measurement includes the spire itself or the base of the tower. In any case, it is one of the highest points in the Korenmarkt area, forming a picturesque ensemble with Ghent’s other famous towers: the Belfry and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral.
The tower is executed in an eclectic style with a predominance of Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance motifs. Architect Louis Cloquet consciously turned to these historical styles to visually connect the new building with the medieval houses on the Graslei embankment, many of which date from the 12th to the 18th centuries.
Despite its external “antiquity,” Cloquet used engineering solutions that were advanced for his time: reinforced concrete structures and steel trusses were hidden behind a façade of white and grey limestone.
The clock faces served as a key landmark for the city’s residents and visitors for many years. However, the history of the clock tower was not without incident. In 1905, while still under construction, lightning struck the tower — an event that, fortunately, did not prevent the completion of the work. The original spire was completed and modified during construction, adding to the tower’s uniqueness.
Decoration and Symbolism of the Former Main Post Office of Ghent
The façades of the entire building are adorned with over one hundred sculptures, coats of arms, and bas-reliefs. The clock tower is no exception. Among the decorative elements, one can find depictions of carrier pigeons painted on the walls — a touching symbol recalling the building’s original function.
Of particular interest are the sculpted portraits of the 23 heads of European states that were members of the Universal Postal Union at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Here, one can also see allegorical figures symbolising the five continents, Belgium, Flanders, Wallonia, and the nine Belgian provinces, along with inscriptions: “Posterijen,” “Telegrafen,” “Telephoon.”
The Interior of the Main Post Office of Ghent
Upon entering, you immediately grasp the scale of the vision. Cloquet designed the building based on its functionality. The grand entrance, with its portal reminiscent of a city hall, leads into the public hall. Originally, the space was divided by wooden, glazed partitions: this area housed the service counters for visitors, behind them lay the vast sorting and distribution hall, and to the right was the separate telegraph service.
Today, with the building transformed into the Post Plaza shopping centre, this historical structure has been preserved and tastefully reinterpreted. The massive wooden trusses and ribbed vaults of the sorting hall create a unique acoustic atmosphere and a sense of vastness. Pay attention to the columns: the capitals of some are crafted in the Art Nouveau style with floral motifs — a nod to the trends of the early 20th century that surprisingly complements the Neo-Gothic corbels.
A special pride of the Main Post Office of Ghent is its circular stair towers. Take the stairs in the corner tower at the intersection of Korenmarkt and Pakhuisstraat. Here, you will discover an engineering marvel: a central staircase made of blue stone, supported by an elegant cast-iron structure with Art Nouveau ornamentation, which gracefully transitions into a double spiral staircase. The walls are adorned with glazed tiles in white, blue, and yellow.
Hotel 1898 The Post: Living in History
On the upper floors of the former Main Post Office of Ghent, once accessed by these lavish service staircases, the boutique hotel “1898 The Post” now resides. It is the ideal place for those wishing to feel part of Ghent’s history without sacrificing comfort. The hotel is designed in a “heritage luxury” style: dark green walls, historic fireplaces, Victorian details, and antique furniture create the atmosphere of a late 19th-century gentlemen’s club.
The hotel lobby houses The Cobbler cocktail bar, which has quickly become a trendy spot among visitors to the city. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, it is worth stopping by for a cocktail while enjoying the view of the bustling Korenmarkt and the tower of Saint Nicholas’ Church through the large picture windows.
In the upper part of the Clock Tower of the Main Post Office of Ghent, in an octagonal space, lies one of the most romantic rooms of the “1898 The Post” hotel — the Tower Room. This is the only room in the hotel located directly within the tower, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of Ghent’s historic centre. Guests can observe life on Korenmarkt square, admire the spire of Saint Nicholas’ Church, and listen as the chiming of the clock echoes over the medieval rooftops.
What Lies Inside the Former Main Post Office of Ghent Today:
Today, the former post office is a multifunctional space where everyone can find something to enjoy.
• In the ground floor halls, where queues once formed for stamps, cosy cafés and restaurants now welcome guests. Here, you can grab a quick bite while enjoying the view of the historic interiors.
• The building houses concept stores for clothing and interior design items. These are not mere souvenir shops, but places to discover Belgian designer brands.
• In the basement, once occupied by technical services, there is a supermarket — the perfect place to stock up on local cheese, chocolate, and, of course, Belgian beer at affordable prices.
• Temporary exhibitions and events are regularly held in the historic halls — be sure to check the city’s event calendar.
Useful Tip
Be prepared that due to the historic structures and intentionally subdued lighting in the hotel corridors and some areas, it may be dimmer than in modern shopping centres — this is part of the atmosphere. Parking in the Korenmarkt area is limited, so it is best to arrive by tram or by bicycle, as the locals do.
Today, the building of the Former Main Post Office of Ghent is more than a post office, more than a shopping centre, and even more than a hotel. Look closely at its façades: the stone effigies of kings and allegorical figures capture the history of international diplomacy. Climb the spiral staircases with their cast-iron Art Nouveau detailing, and you will find yourself in a space where the austere mail-sorting halls have been transformed into lively gastronomic courtyards and designer boutiques.
