eskimofabriek
A unique location for an exceptional event.
A renovated and modernly equipped textile factory from the nineteenth century for your personalised events : weddings and business parties, congresses, fairs, seminars, concerts, ...
The oldest buildings, among which the "Grote Fabriek", the "Kleine Fabriek" and the "Promenade", date from the end of the 19th century. The buildings, visible from the street side, date from 1946 and were also part of the same factory - "Usines Cotonnières Indienneries Belges" - with a surface of 46 ha. They reached up to the beautifully renovated historical towers of the Vynckier factory (General Electrics).
The factory was divided at the bankruptcy of the Usines Cotonnières and the building of the current Eskimofabriek was saved, cleaned and adapted around 1970 to the activities of the company De Groote with its well-known "Eskimo".
In 1996, "Eskimo" moved to Melle, which resulted in empty buildings for some time. The organizers of the Eskimo-parties took their chance to transform this historical building to the fairly successful eventhall. At the beginning of the year 2000, "Eskimo" had expanded to a mega festival, well-known far beyond all bounds. Among many others, the internationally known Dewaele Brothers of Soulwax and Saint-Germain have performed at the Eskimofabriek.
Since the beginning of the year 2005 and after submitting a town-planning and environmental permission, we have started the renovation of the oldest parts of the Eskimofabriek, as these would meet the legal requirements for fire security and environment.
In brief, a unique and saved part of history in the 19th century zone, of which we hope this will contribute to the further extension and emanation of our beautiful town of Gent.
Eskimofabriek
Event yourself
[ a full history ]
A history of the Eskimofabriek
Located at Wiedauwkaai 25, Gent.
The oldest buildings, among which the "Grote Fabriek", the "Kleine Fabriek" and the "Promenade" date from the end of the 19th century. The buildings, visible from the street side, date from 1946 and were also part of the same factory - "Usines Cotonnières Indienneries Belges" - with a surface of 46 ha. They reached up to the beautifully renovated historical towers of the Vynckier factory (General Electrics).
In popular speech of Gent, these factories and storage yards are called the famous "GRESFABRIEK". The local people of Gent linked cotton to grass (Gres in Gent popuar speech) during that period. Even the labour movement arose in this neighbourhood (the present Muide or "Moide"). The cabaret singer from Gent, Karel Warie, of whom a lot of songs are sung during the "Gentse Fieste", drew a lot of inspiration on this.
The factory was divided at the bankruptcy of the Usines Cotonnières (not to be confused with Union Cotonnière) and a lot of the original and decrepit buildings were pulled down.
The building of the current Eskimofabriek was saved, cleaned and adapted around 1970 to the activities of the company De Groote with its well-known "Eskimo".
In 1996, "Eskimo" moved to Melle, which resulted in empty buildings for some time. "Eskimo" had in the meantime sponsored some youth parties in a hall at the UCO Destelbergen - named the Container - and, during the Gentse Feesten, in the Renault garage at the Anseeleplein.
The dynamic organisers, always looking for new places to combine music and dance, took their chance to transform this historical building to the fairly successful eventhall. This happened some times a year and with the consent of the municipality.
At the beginning of the year 2000, "Eskimo" had expanded to a mega festival, well-known far beyond all bounds. DJ's were honoured to play their music at that place. The internationally known Dewaele Brothers of Soulwax have performed there at many "Eskimo"events. Even "Saint Germain", at present an international star but then still unknown, has performed there and has shot a clip in the marvellous passages of the Eskimofabriek.
In the meantime, the halls were used for other cultural events, such as theatre and exhibitions, as well. Exhibitions were organised by the at that time unknown Victoria Theatre, but also by Vooruit, Kopergieterij, …. Films and clips were shot. Young film-producers have learned to shoot their first love-, fight and bedscenes. The Kunstacademie from Gent exposed the final works of its textile and photo departments there on an annual basis. Students have been able to perform like in a museum. Also the students of the artists' department exposed their huge canvas there, due to a lack of space elsewhere.
Since the beginning of the year 2000, the mega parties have stopped, partly because of economic reasons, partly due to safety reasons.
Ever since, a part of the building has been tidied up and restored to its original destination for offices and storage yards: scenery builders, the NTG and other small companies found a suitable location there. The nice janitor's residence was entirely renovated by a dynamic architect from Gent and is now a place-to-be for kitchen lovers.
The hype around the "Eskimo" events kept going on and private events were organised, on a regular basis and within the existing legal terms, in the oldest part of the Eskimofabriek: weddings of Flemish celebrities and others, parties for the company staff, society parties, small fairs, workshops for persons with a handicap, etc…
We felt supported by the enthusiasm on the Eskimofabriek from students' corps, companies, newly weds and others. Since the beginning of the year 2005 and after submitting a town-planning and environmental permission, we have started the renovation of the oldest parts of the Eskimofabriek, as these would meet the legal requirements for fire security and environment.
The close collaboration between Eskimofabriek and several authorities of Stad Gent results in the transformation from an old textile mill to an exquisite location for your unique event. In brief, a unique and saved part of history in the 19th century zone, of which we hope this will contribute to the further extension and emanation of our beautiful town of Gent.
Eskimofabriek
Event yourself
