Antwerp, Belgium: Fomer Grand Hotel Metropole

While walking on the major street for shopping in downtown building, this structure looks particularly interesting. What is it used for?

The more interesting question probably is, what was it used for? The answer is that it formerly served as the Grand Hotel Metropole. I can't say that I noticed what was occupying the bottom floor when I walked by, but supposedly a Benetton store has been located there in the past.

I found an example of hotel stationary from the place in 1918 while searching the Internet for information. It all must have been elegant squared in the day.