2014 - One of my dreams when I started my #urbex adventure was to enter this amazing building called the Chambre du Commerce in Belgium. There were already a lot of rumors that this building was going to be renovated. I have invested a lot of time and effort to find an entrance. It took me 3 times a trip to this place to finally succeed. But to be honest it was worth all the time and effort I invested in it. End of 2014 I went very early in the morning to find my entrance and luckily I found it! I just had to wait to for the morning light to kick in.
11mm - F/8 - 30sec -iso100
Wow I just was speechless for the first half an hour. Such a beautiful building and no one cared about it. I just couldn't believe it.
I had to take advantage of this one time opportunity that I got. In that time I had a Nikon D7100 with a Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX II lens. I setup my 3 legged thing tripod and I started to make pictures like crazy! I started on the first level as you can see on the picture above.
I could spent my whole day in this amazing building. I really loved all the pillars in this building.
11mm - F/8 - 1/2 sec - iso100
13mm - F/7.1 - 5 sec - iso100
11mm - F/7.1 - 15sec - iso100
After I visited this location I knew it for sure... I wanted to keep doing this. What a great experience!
The renovation has started and the plan is that this will be a Mariott hotel in de future. In February 2016, various archaeological finds were made so there is some delay. They expect that in 2019 the hotel can open their doors.
Marco Bontenbal