Hoogstraten (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Hoogstraten Town Hall on Vriheid will be restored next year for €900,000, with a €300,000 Flemish subsidy, repairing façade, roof, and woodwork, preserving its WWII-damaged heritage.
As GVA News reported, Hoogstraten Town Hall, situated in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, will receive major work on its restoration next year. Scaffolding will traditionally cover the historic building while the workmen begin repairs on the exterior building.
What’s next for Hoogstraten Town Hall’s €900K restoration?
The restoration will focus on the façade, roof, and all wooden elements, including doors, windows, and carpentry. The work will be done in phases to allow the city hall to remain in use as much as possible. The total cost is estimated at €900,000. The Flemish government will provide a subsidy of €300,000 to support the project. Preparations are expected to start next year.
The town hall of Hoogstraten is based on Vriheid Street, has a past closely associated with World War II. German soldiers who were in retreat on October 23, 1944, destroyed the tower of St. Catherine’s Church by blowing it up, and severely damaged an adjoining town hall.
Reconstruction of both the church and the town hall happened between 1952 – 1958 to restore the church and town hall as central landmarks of the city and also to preserve their historical and architectural significance for future generations. Over time, weather and the passage of time had affected the weathered façade, as well as the roof and woodwork.
