The former campus of the AZ Sint-Maarten hospital on Leopoldstraat in Mechelen is being reduced to rubble once and for all and will soon be replaced by the completely new ‘Maarten’ residential district. New apartments, homes, a city hotel and office and retail space are being built between the station, Vesten and canal. A public park and ‘living street’ – together accounting for around 3200 square metres of new public space – mean that this project is no less than a reclamation of part of the city for all types of users. The first residents are expected to be able to move in from mid-2023.
 
The demolition of the hospital at the former AZ Sint-Maarten site on Leopoldstraat in Mechelen is about to begin. The nearly 10,000 m² site had been awaiting redevelopment since the opening of the new AZ Sint-Maarten on Liersesteenweg in October 2018. The next chapter in the site development plan is the new housing project ‘Maarten’.
 
A whole new neighbourhood
 
To be specific, a total of 74 apartments and 21 houses will be built in a completely new district that includes a car-free ‘living street’ and new neighbourhood park. Also included will be 400 private bicycle parking facilities and enough parking for 190 vehicles. In partnership with the city of Mechelen, the newly developed site will also house a city hotel and retail and office space. In a nutshell, the site will be converted into a whole new neighbourhood that offers both living and working opportunities.
 
“The area around the railway station is undergoing extensive redevelopment and ‘Maarten’ plays an important role in this. Even before the old hospital was sold, we had already outlined the project. We envisioned a sustainable and green urban district at this location. It was important for us that the site would include not only housing, but also offer a dynamic living environment. The development of a new park and ‘living street’ make ‘Maarten’ a pleasant place to call home for residents and give the neighbourhood a green character.”
 
Greet Geypen, Alderman for Urban Development
 
‘Maarten’ will be constructed in phases. The demolition of the old hospital has already begun and should be completed by summer. Around 25,000 tonnes of building waste will have to be removed. Parallel to the demolition work, the initial construction work will also begin in March.
 
The old hospital on Leopoldstraat was emptied completely back in February 2019. In the spirit of Doctor Désiré Peeters, who built the first hospital at the site with his own hands more than 100 years ago, all usable materials are being donated to charity. Decades after the clinic was first built, quite a few of the doctor’s descendants and family members still worked at the hospital, from doctors and pharmacists to physiotherapists and lab technicians. To forge a link to the past, the various buildings in the ‘Maarten’ residential district are being named after members of the Peeters family.
 
More than 80% sold
 
In the meantime, the first phase of the residence is completely sold out, while 80% of the second phase has been sold. The first residents of ‘Maarten’ are expected to be able to start moving into their new homes in mid-2023.
 
“All in all, ‘Maarten’ is to be a green space where anyone and everyone can enjoy strolling, relaxing and simply living. It also promises to be a lively neighbourhood with the perfect balance between living and working. The project clearly reflects the vision of Doctor Désiré Peeters: a place that is the beating heart of the neighbourhood, where everyone – young and old – is welcome.”
 
Pieter Vanhout, Managing Director of project development company Ciril