From Haunted Hotel to Unique Experience Place
The iconic hotel ruin in the Provincial Green Estate Vrijbroek Park in Mechelen (Belgium) is getting a second life! What was once an unfinished construction project is now a special resting and walking spot where nature, history and culture come together. An impressive walkway among the trees, a viewing platform and an open structure allow visitors to experience the magic of this historic site for themselves.
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The hotel ruin, known since the 1970s as the “Ghost Hotel,” is now a place of wonder and encounter. The Province of Antwerp has revived the project and transformed it into a unique, accessible experience for young and old.
The History of the 50-Year-Old Haunted Hotel
In the early 1970s, there was an ambitious plan: an 18-story hotel in the heart of the Vrijbroek Park. But after only two floors, the works fell silent due to financial problems and stricter building regulations. Since then, nature has taken over the unfinished structure and it became a mysterious landmark in the park.
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In 2021, the province of Antwerp took control and invested in the redevelopment of the ruin. With a budget of 900,000 euros, co-financed by Tourism Flanders and the Agency for Nature and Forests, the ruin was transformed into a sustainable and accessible meeting place.
A unique interpretation per floor
Each floor of the hotel ruin now has its own function:
- First floor: a protected animal hotel
The first floor is not open to the public and is home to bats, small rodents and amphibians. With a specially constructed amphibian pond and a mouse hotel, biodiversity is further enhanced. - Second floor: art and history
Here visitors can learn more about the original hotel project and enjoy the impressive graffiti works by Gijs Vanhee, Dzia and Tuch, among others. - Second floor: panoramic view
The highlight of the experience! On this floor there is a viewing platform that offers a magnificent view of the park, the treetops and the surrounding nature.
Continue reading below the photos
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waar vooral de 44 vleermuizen permanente gasten zijn
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Official Opening and Future Activities
On Feb. 14, the renovated hotel ruins were officially opened by deputies Mireille Colson and Jan De Haes, along with their project partners. During the festive opening weekend on Feb. 15 and 16, visitors will be able to discover the site through various activities such as a graffiti workshop, a children’s quest and building a bat hotel. Given the expected crowds, it is necessary to reserve a time slot in advance. After the opening weekend, the ruins will be accessible daily during regular Vrijbroek Park opening hours.
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A must-visit in Mechelen
According to Flemish Minister of Tourism Melissa Depraetere, this renovation is an absolute added value for the Vrijbroek Park: “The impressive walkway between the trees and the viewing platform make this the ideal getaway in Mechelen. A place where hikers, cyclists and families can enjoy carefree, while ‘little hotel guests’ such as bats also find a safe haven.”“
@Verschueren Eddy
The hotel ruins will play a central role in the Vrijbroek Park in the coming years . Through information boards and guided walks for schools and groups, visitors will learn more about the history of this mysterious place and the rich biodiversity that now flourishes there.
Curious about this unique location? Come by and discover it for yourself! For more information about the hotel ruins and the opening weekend, please visit the Vrijbroek Park Provincial Green Estate website.