Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Den Grooten Cruywaeghen in Leuven, with its 1691 Baroque facade, is being restored with €72,000 support from Minister Ben Weyts to preserve its brewing history and iconic architecture.
As VRT News reported, the historic “Den Grooten Cruywaeghen” building in Leuven, known for its beautiful Baroque front, is getting a makeover. They are carrying out work to restore the front and roof, because of weather damage and time. They explained this had to be done carefully and with properly restored materials, because the building is a protected monument, with a lot of strict limitations.
What is the €72K restoration of Den Grooten Cruywaeghen?
The Flemish government is helping to restore the old “Den Grooten Cruywaeghen” building in Leuven. Minister Ben Wets is giving €72,000 to help. This money will fix the building’s front and roof. The total cost is €144,000, so the government is paying half.
The money comes from a group that helps save old buildings in Flanders. The official mentioned that this money is important because the building is protected. The workers will fix the old stones and decorations. They will also make sure the roof is safe. They will keep the building looking like it did in the 1600s.
“It’s quite exceptional that a 17th-century facade has been so well preserved in Leuven,”
Says Weyts.
During the First World War, much of Leuven’s heritage was lost to heavy bombing. This facade, however, survived and reminds us of the city’s rich brewing culture. We should cherish that.”
Even with the construction, a fashion store called Profiel is still open in the building. Mieke Desmet, who has owned Profiel for almost 40 years, says the government’s help is very important. She said they couldn’t fix the front of the building without the money and would have gone bankrupt. Profiel sells expensive, classic clothes, including clothes by Dries Van Noten.
Desmet loves the store and the old building. She thinks it’s “timeless fashion in a timeless building.” Her daughters are now running the store, and she’s happy that both the store and the building will be around for a long time. She mentioned that the renovation will keep this special part of Leuven going, mixing old history with new businesses.
According to officials, “Den Grooten Cruywaeghen” in Leuven is now a protected monument. It’s important because of its history and brewing tradition. The building is on Mechelsestraat, a busy shopping street. It has a fancy Baroque front from 1691. This front has a special curved top and fancy details. Long ago, there was a brewery and an inn there. People have been brewing beer there since 1421.
