The Paleis op de Meir was built out of beer bottles. Ok, not literally, but brewing was the main reason for the great wealth of the Van Susteren family. When his elder brother and sister died at the ages of 22 and 21 respectively, Johan Alexander, the sole surviving member of the family, suddenly became exceptionally wealthy. He decided to invest his inheritance in bricks and mortar, and dreamed of a palatial residence in Antwerp that would stand head and shoulders above the rest.