RE-OPEN THE PEKFABRIEK
RE-OPEN THE PEKFABRIEK
The Pekfabriek on the Kattenberg has been a fixture in Borgerhout's cultural and social life for years. In September 2025, the international travel magazine Time Out crowned Borgerhout the second-coolest neighborhood in the world, just behind Jimbōchō in Tokyo. Time Out described the district as multicultural, unpretentious, and collaborative, noting the DIY spirit found throughout the neighborhood. That creative, collaborative energy is exactly what places like the Pekfabriek have been contributing to for years.
Located in an old industrial site in the heart of Borgerhout that has miraculously remained under the radar for about ten years, the Pekfabriek is more than just a party venue. It is a place with its own mythology: the band dEUS rehearses on the roof, Café Plaza Real is situated at the front, and the city's best, most alternative parties have been organized in the atmospheric factory hall for years. Visitors like to compare the raw, unpolished atmosphere to that of Berlin. The venue is described as a place for concerts, exhibitions, performances, theater, parties, and a bar in the summer — with nearly 10,000 followers attesting to how beloved the place is.
Just as Borgerhout itself was once primarily known for its difficulties and now receives worldwide recognition for its creativity and community spirit, an institution like the Pekfabriek deserves the chance to continue existing and growing. The closure of this establishment is an irreparable loss to the cultural DNA of precisely the neighborhood that the world now praises for its authenticity.
With this petition, we call upon the City Council of Antwerp and the relevant departments to support and facilitate the reopening of the Pekfabriek, in accordance with applicable safety and permit regulations, and to engage in dialogue with the operators and the neighborhood to enable a sustainable future for this place.
Sign up if you also believe the second-coolest neighborhood in the world needs places like the Pekfabriek.
PS: fun anecdotes, memories, meet-cutes, etc. are very welcome!