The Belgian public railroad company NMBS/SNCB has put the former station building of Londerzeel up for sale through its real estate platform. The setting price for the building with a land area of 277 m² is 245,000 euros.
The municipality of Londerzeel, in Flemish Brabant, is pleased that NMBS/SNCB is finally taking steps to give the building a new owner and destination.
Vandalism and sanitary problem
“The building has been out of use for quite some time and has become the target of vandalism and nuisance on several occasions in recent months,” says Mayor Nadia Sminate (N-VA). “The repressive action of the police costs us many man-hours.”
“The fact that the NMBS/SNCB is now taking steps to give the building a new use is good for safety and the streetscape of our station area. We hope there will be a catering establishment, as the location is very suitable for that. That would also immediately solve the problem of sanitation near the station.”
Still a waiting room
NMBS/SNCB describes the building as “full of character, a paragon of typical railroad architecture, with high windows and plenty of space. The building consists of a ground floor and a first floor and is partially subterranean. It needs renovation, but offers great potential toward repurposing.”
The sale was discussed in advance between NMBS/SNCB and the municipality. The needs of travelers were also taken into consideration. The NMBS/SNCB will eventually install larger, more enclosed waiting sheds on the platforms. In the meantime, the railroad company is committed to keeping the waiting room in the station building available this winter as a shelter for travelers.
Other stations for sale
The former station building of Heverlee is also for sale. Three years ago, the building was sold for more than half a million euros. But in the meantime, it has been completely renovated into a full-fledged home cum office. The home part is now for sale for just under 900,000 euros, according to the De Standaard newspaper.
Currently, NMBS/SNCB operates approximately 550 stations. In the first half of the 20th century, there were still over 1,200 stations and stops in operation. Several of them are still empty or waiting for renovation, for example, that of Tienen. Among others, the station buildings of Gentbrugge, Kontich-Lint, and Hennuyères are currently for sale.
