Work starts on new wattland residential district
Mayor Somers and Councillor Geypen demolish old Fluvius buildings at the Keerdok site
Mechelen mayor Bart Somers and Councillor for Urban Development Greet Geypen today demolished the first wall of the old empty Fluvius buildings along the Dijle river in Mechelen. They will be replaced with the new Wattland green residential district, which will provide homes for 197 families. An extensive archaeological survey will begin when the demolition work is completed. “We are very curious to see what we will find underground and look forward to the start of Wattland’s construction work, which will begin in spring 2025,” said Sophie Deprez, CCO of CORES Development.
Mayor Somers and Councillor Geypen today officially launched the demolition of the former Fluvius buildings at the Keerdok site. They demolished the first wall with the aid of a crane. The demolition work itself will be carried out very carefully over the next month. The contractor will thereby pay close attention to circularity. Materials will be recovered where possible, and stony construction debris will be reused as the bottom foundation layer for the new buildings and road construction.
Looking for new historical finds
By the end of the month, the two buildings will have been demolished and the archaeological survey can begin. This will take about four months, and is mandatory for major infrastructure works. The survey prior to the construction of the new Keerdok car park has already yielded remarkable results. Archaeologists found a large beguinage there, where as many as 1,500 beguines (lay nuns) lived from 1370 until the 16th century. Historians actually consider it to be the largest beguinage in Western Europe. However, a severe fire during the religious wars reduced the beguinage to ashes.
A green neighbourhood both literally and figuratively
The start of the demolition of the former Fluvius buildings and the subsequent archaeological survey are important steps in the redevelopment of the Keerdok site. After the archaeological survey, the contractor can start constructing the new residential district early next year.
Property developer CORES Development is turning Wattland into a high-quality and sustainable residential district with 197 apartments and houses spread across 10 buildings. Underground parking will offer 158 car parking spaces and storage units. Wattland also boasts no fewer than 661 spacious, easily accessible bike parking spaces. Three leading firms were responsible for Wattland’s architecture. HUB Architecture & Urbanism produced the master plan, and were supported by Bontinck Architecture & Engineering and dmvA architects for the design of the buildings.
Maximum 30% built area
Only 30% of the entire site, which is currently completely paved, will be built on. The remaining area is set aside for two communal courtyard gardens and wetlands. That green zone, in the southern part of Wattland, is bigger than a football pitch and is designed to collect the rainwater and allow it to naturally filter into the ground. The wetlands will therefore play a major role in the water management of this sustainable residential district.
In creating the courtyard gardens, landscape architect OKRA was inspired by the site’s rich history. The traditional atmosphere of the beguinages of yesteryear will be recreated there. The characteristic flora – such as edible plants – will also play a key role in the new district.
“We are delighted to start the demolition of the two Fluvius buildings. This means we can soon transform a fully paved environment into a beautiful, green residential district which will make a lovely place to live. 197 families will then have a new home in an absolutely prime location: close to the city and amidst greenery.” Sophie Deprez, CCO CORES Development
High levels of interest
There is lots of interest in the project. Wattland is therefore offering a wide range of properties. Between the new city boulevard (Keerdoklaan/N16) and the central road, developer CORES Development envisages buildings with high-quality 1-, 2- or 3-bedroom apartments and spacious penthouses. There is also room for duplex flats designed for co-living, a fitness space for residents and an office space. All the apartments have views of the private gardens, the Dijle river or the city centre with St Rumbold’s Cathedral. At the centre of the district there will be single-family houses that overlook and have direct access to the green courtyard gardens. A second phase, on the south side of the district, will feature three buildings with spacious and luxurious villa apartments and penthouses.
