Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The 16th-century Leuven building De Cleijn Donderbus will be renovated with a €257,000 budget, including a €100,000Flemish subsidy. Minister Ben Weyts highlights its historic commercial value.
As VRT News reported, the historic corner building De Cleijn Donderbus in Leuven will soon be renovated. To preserve its historical value, the Flemish Government will give a €100,000 subsidy for the renovation.
The project will repair the building’s structural components and preserve the historic details. Once the work is completed, De Cleijn Donderbus will still exist as a historic commercial building and continue to contribute to Leuven’s urban form.
“We can’t maintain all the historic buildings ourselves,”
Says Ben Wets (N-VA), Minister of Immovable Heritage.
“We’re happy to support owners who preserve and restore our heritage.”
How will Leuven’s historic Cleijn Donderbus be restored and preserved?
Minister Ben Weyts said the building shows how the street looked centuries ago and called it an important part of Leuven’s heritage. A dürüm shop and a barbershop currently occupy the building. Both businesses will continue to operate during the renovation.
The complete project is costing €257,000, which includes structural work, refurbishment of the roofs, and work to the facades. According to officials, the project will preserve the historical aspects of the building and allow it to continue functioning as a commercial building.
The building, which is 16th-century in origin, was originally constructed in half-timber and batten and clay, which was a common method of building at that time. Over the years, it has remained a commercial property.
The building is located on Brusselsestraat, which was once a busy commercial street. Today, De Cleijn Donderbus is one of the few remaining buildings that show the street’s historic character. The building has deteriorated over time.
