Blankebberg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A 72-meter-tall residential tower building in Blankenberge, planned on the old Petit Rouge hotel site, faces opposition from locals and architect Erik Wieërs, who cite concerns about sunlight, wind, and the cityscape.
A residential tower of over 72 meters is going to be built in Blankenberge, a coastal city in Belgium. The building will be very high. The building will be built on the site of the old Petit Rouge hotel, which is no longer used. Many people are unhappy about this.
They think the building is too big for a seaside town. They worry it will block sunlight and change the look of the coast. They also worry that this will make it easier for other tall buildings to be built in the future. They feel the province did not listen to them.
Is Blankenberge’s 72m tower too tall for the seafront?
Piet Wittevrongel is against the residential tower. He thinks the building is wrong for the city. He is happy that a famous architect, Erik Wieërs, agrees with him. Wieërs thinks the building is too big for the location.
Residents mentioned that Wieërs is a very important architect, so his opinion matters a lot. Wittevrongel and other people who are against the building are happy that Wieërs agrees with them. They hope that this will make more people join them and that they can stop the building from being built.
Piet Wittevrongel says,
“A residential tower on that location is not possible. That is support for us from someone who comes from outside Blankenberge.”
People who live in Blankenberge say the building will make the beach and other places too dark because it will block the sun. They also worry that the wind will be stronger because of the tall building, which could make it difficult for people to walk around safely. They think the building doesn’t fit with the rest of the city, which has smaller buildings.
People against the building don’t just care about its height. They think the city should focus on fixing problems in the city centre first, like empty buildings. They think the new building is a distraction from these problems.
They mentioned that the building also has plans for 150 parking spaces, which could make the city even more crowded with cars. They also worry that if the city allows one tall building, it might allow more, which could change the whole waterfront into a wall of concrete and glass.
