Sint-Niklaas (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Sint-Niklaas offers Cipierage (€1M) and Walburg Castle (€1.2M) to investors with heritage grants (40%) and €500K subsidy; proposals due March 1, 2026, tours Sept 19 & Nov 24.
As VRT News reported, Sint-Niklaas is working to save 2 historic empty buildings. The Cipierage on the Grote Mark and Walburg Castle in the city park are both protected monuments. Alderman for Heritage Carl Hanssens (N-VA) says the Cipierage could be a restaurant, a boutique hotel, offices, or a space for cultural associations.
“Hospitality businesses, a boutique hotel, offices, culture, conference rooms and private practices: it’s all possible.”
Filip Baeyens (N-VA), Alderman for Heritage
What will investors do with Sint-Niklaas’ Cipierage €1M and Walburg castle €1.2M?
Walburg Castle also needs a new purpose. The 16th-century castle currently has a restaurant, which will stay until the end of March 2025. The castle includes a caretaker’s house and a coach house. Alderman for Heritage Filip Baeyens (N-VA) says the castle could be used in many ways at the same time. It could host a restaurant or café with conference rooms, spaces for local associations, or practice rooms, such as for physiotherapists.
Alderman for Heritage Filip Baeyens (N-VA) says,
“Potential investors can build on this, but are also free to submit their own proposals. With this project, we aim to give both buildings a sustainable and high-quality new lease of life.”
Sint-Niklaas is offering investors a chance to restore and repurpose 2 of the city’s most historic buildings. Alderman for Trade and Hospitality Kris Van der Coelden (Vooruit) says the city wants a space where people can continue enjoying a drink on a terrace. He mentioned that the requirement ensures that the buildings remain lively and accessible while supporting commercial, cultural, and community activities.
The financial details for the projects are significant but supported. The Cipierage is offered at €1 million, and Walburg Castle at €1.2 million. Investors restoring the buildings can apply for a heritage grant covering 40% of the total costs. In addition, the city provides an investment subsidy of €500,000 per building.
A large campaign is underway to attract investors from Sint-Niklaas and beyond. Proposals for one or both buildings must be submitted by March 1, 2026, with the city aiming to start working with new leaseholders by June 2026. Anyone interested can take part in guided tours of the buildings on Friday, September 19, 2025 and Monday, November 24, 2025, to see the spaces and possibilities firsthand.
The Cipierage was built in the mid-17th century and is next to the Parish House. It used to be a prison and later became known for the Cipierskelder café. The café closed a few years ago, leaving the building empty.
Comments
10 responses to “Investors Sought for Cipierage and Walburg Castle in Sint-Niklaas”
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C’mon, who wouldn’t want to invest a fortune in a couple of gorgeous ruins? It’s not like we have enough empty buildings or anything… 😂🏰
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Investors, come to Sint-Niklaas and grab a historic prison and a fancy castle for a steal! Who wouldn’t want to turn a 16th-century monument into a trendy café or a posh office? 🏰💼
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Investors, don’t miss your chance to turn a historic prison and a dusty old castle into the next hipster haven—because who wouldn’t want to sip lattes in a building that used to house criminals? 😏💰
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C’mon, who wouldn’t want to invest a cool €1M in a former prison? Sounds like a smashing idea to turn it into a boutique hotel—because nothing screams “romantic getaway” like checking in where they used to lock up the riff-raff! 😂🏰
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Investors must be thrilled to shell out a cool €1M for a slice of Sint-Niklaas’ history—because who wouldn’t want to turn an old prison and a castle into yet another mediocre restaurant? 🍷🏰 Just imagine the joy of explaining to your mates how you’ve invested in “cultural associations” while sipping on overpriced coffee in what was once a dungeon! 😂
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Investors, rush in! Who wouldn’t want to turn a historic prison and a 16th-century castle into the next hipster hotspot? 🍷🏰
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Invest €1M in a historic prison or €1.2M in a castle with a side of ghostly charm? Just what every savvy investor dreams of! 🏰💰😏
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Investing in Sint-Niklaas’ historic buildings sounds like a fabulous way to spend your hard-earned cash—who wouldn’t want to turn a 17th-century prison into a “boutique hotel”? 🏰💸 Just imagine the charm of booking a room where they used to lock people up! 😂
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Investors, hurry up and grab the chance to turn a former prison and a castle into… whatever you fancy! Maybe a trendy café where you can sip your overpriced coffee while contemplating your life choices in a 16th-century castle? 😂🏰
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Investing in a castle and a former prison? Sounds like the start of a real-life fairy tale, or maybe just a clever way to relive those ancient days of incarceration with a side of fine dining. 🍷🏰
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