A residential project featuring a vast public park, 59 apartments, and 15 houses, fostering neighborhood connection
The former city depot of Mortsel, located on Sint-Benedictusstraat, is getting a fresh and sustainable redevelopment. In the coming years, Ciril will transform the site into ‘Benedicte’, a residential district featuring a public park and a diverse mix of homes and apartments. With a strong focus on sustainability and community spirit, ‘Benedicte’ will be Ciril’s most ecological and sustainable project to date. The highlight of the development is the neighborhood’s social hub: an open pavilion designed by Antwerp artist Philip Aguirre y Otegui, intended to bring people together.
Starting in May, the old municipal service buildings will be demolished to make way for a vast park of approximately 10,000 m², complete with walking and cycling paths, play areas, and a landscaped water retention area. The goal is to create a vibrant space for all of Mortsel.
Gert Voets, project developer at Ciril: “With ‘Benedicte’, we aim not only to create new housing but also to establish a green, social, and low-traffic meeting place where people can relax. With the pavilion ‘De Agora’, we offer an open, covered space for playing, chatting, or hosting a flea market. To realize this, we enlisted artist Philip Aguirre y Otegui. His unique design references the site’s industrial past and ancient Roman covered markets.”
Smart design
The residential project consists of 15 houses and 59 apartments. The architects opted for a smart integration within the existing infrastructure, removing only the old city depot buildings while preserving and expanding valuable open and green spaces with mature trees.
Thanks to a mix of housing types, there is something for everyone. From classic, spacious family homes, each with a private garden facing the park, to trendy city houses with rooftop terraces and terrace rooms. The apartment selection is equally diverse, ranging from one-, two-, or three-bedroom units to generous penthouses. These are located at the edge of the site and offer views of the green residential courtyard. Additionally, a large bicycle storage facility and an underground parking garage with 71 spaces are included in the project.
Architects Bart Dehaene and Bovenbouw Architectuur: “Our vision was to design a residential neighborhood that breathes sustainability and connection. By concentrating the buildings along the site’s edges, we created a central green courtyard that feels like an embracing space. By emphasizing greenery, collectivity, and diverse living solutions, the project forms a strong bond with the neighborhood and establishes a high-quality, inclusive living environment for all – whether young or old, single or in a family.”
Collective heating network
‘Benedicte’ will not only be a green but also an exceptionally energy-efficient and sustainable neighborhood. All homes will be built using wood (CLT), reducing CO₂ emissions and providing a warm, natural aesthetic.
Additionally, the project will be connected to a collective heating network in collaboration with the local cooperative ZuidtrAnt-Warmte.
Gert Voets, project developer at Ciril: “Underground drilling extracts heat from the soil, which is then enhanced by heat pumps and distributed through circulation pipes to the apartments and houses. This energy is used for heating and hot water. In the summer, the system can be reversed to provide cooling. The energy required for this system will largely come from solar panels installed on the roofs. All rainwater will be collected and used, among other things, to flush toilets. Sustainability is embedded in every detail of this project – from energy-efficient insulation standards to renewable energy sources. ‘Benedicte’ will be a model district where ecology, mobility, and social cohesion go hand in hand.”
The sale of homes and apartments officially started this week, and interest is high: 14 apartments have already been sold in pre-sale. Construction will begin in May, with estimated completion by the end of 2027.
