Leuven gives the green light for its last major development in the city centre: Burenberg
Former Accosite becomes sustainable residential area of 2 hectares with a 4,600 m² park garden
After 15 years of vacancy, the former Accosite in Leuven is finally getting a new future. The city council has given the green light to build a sustainable residential area there. Burenberg will soon offer a wide range of housing options: from flats and co-living rooms, over family houses and social flats to even a residential care centre, student rooms and rooms for sheltered living. In addition, project developer ION is also planning a public park garden of 4,600 square metres and numerous sustainable solutions such as smart water management, a geothermal heat network and solar panels. With its two hectares, Burenberg is also one of the last large-scale residential developments near the city centre.
In recent years, the City of Leuven has put a lot of effort into innovation, liveability, sustainability and affordable housing. Urban blighters are disappearing and rundown areas are being tackled. The new Burenberg neighbourhood also fits perfectly into this strategy. The residential area will not only be located on the site where the famous Acco printing company used to be. In the new master plan, the two-hectare site also includes the former monastery building of the Brothers of Charity - which gives onto Brusselsestraat - and some adjacent properties, including three historic working-class houses in Goudsbloemstraat.
In the plans, it is particularly striking how the housing project will attract a very varied public. For example, there will not only be 125 flats and studios, 16 single-family homes and 29 co-living rooms, but also 67 student rooms, 19 social flats and a residential care centre with 46 assisted living rooms and 27 assisted living flats.
The master plan for the district - which also provides space for a number of offices and catering establishments - was drawn up by the Leuven design office BUUR. The development also called on aNNo Architects, POLO Architects, OYO Architects and C+S Architects.
Energy-neutral
Project developer ION, also known for the Boerentoren project in Antwerp, wants to make its mark by focusing strongly on sustainability. The real estate developer aims to make Burenberg an energy-neutral project. To this end, the plans include solar panels and a geothermal heat network, which will heat the entire district without the use of fossil fuels.
The eye-catcher of the project is the public park garden of 4,600 square metres, which will be located in the middle of the district and to which all inhabitants of Leuven will be welcome via various passages. The large lime tree at the monastery will be preserved and dozens of future trees will be planted in the park garden.
Timing
Construction work is scheduled to start in the autumn. The first residential units are expected to be delivered in 2024. The commercialisation of Burenberg has just started. More information on www.burenberg.be.