Highest construction point reached at MALT site in Mechelen

MALT
PSR, subsidiary of Jan De Nul Group, and CODIC reached the highest construction point of the MALT site in Mechelen. The two developers are giving new life to the old Inofer site, where sustainability, living and working are optimally combined. They celebrated this important milestone symbolically with a Christmas tree planting.

In the presence of Mechelen Mayor Bart Somers and the city council, PSR and CODIC symbolically celebrated the highest point of the construction phase with a Christmas tree planting. After this celebration, the site closes for what remains of 2024. After the winter construction leave, works will continue. 

 

Julie De Pauw, Development Manager at Jan De Nul Group: "The works are going well and the site is starting to take shape nicely. The new offices have reached their highest point and the old warehouse is transforming as well. We think it is great to be able to preserve the historical character of the site while giving it a new functional purpose. Combined with the sustainability innovations, this makes MALT an example of future-oriented urban development."

 

New life

 

The old Inofer site, near Mechelen railway station, will be repurposed, giving the valuable industrial heritage a place of honour. This will preserve its historical character and integrate it into a green environment for work and living. 

 

Greet Geypen, Mechelen Alderman for Urban Development: "We deliberately chose to preserve the beautiful but decayed monument, the Socaré building. This reflects our appreciation of Mechelen's identity, while the addition of sustainable elements such as the BEO field emphasises our view of the future. By integrating it into a modern and sustainable project, we are giving heritage a new role in everyday life. The result is a unique site with a rich history."

PSR and CODIC choose to preserve as much open space as possible and make the neighbourhood low-traffic. This is fully in line with the City of Mechelen's plan to revitalise the station neighbourhood. 

 

Bart Somers

Mayor of Mechelen

"The station environment is more than the new station building. It is also the ongoing developments around it. The station has set the bar for the entire site. Architectural quality is the guiding principle here and Malt is the best example. Now that the contours of the station and Malt are fixed, you can see this part of the city growing into a promising, contemporary neighbourhood. With the demolition of the Postzegel bridge at the end of next year, the public domain will also follow as the final link in the transition of the station area."

Soil remediation and geothermal energy

The former Inofer site was historically contaminated. PSR and CODIC mapped the contamination in detail and carried out a thorough remediation together with Envisan, another subsidiary of Jan De Nul. The future neighbourhood can now grow on healthy soil. 

 

The partners also installed a BEO field that will sustainably heat and cool the buildings with an underground heat network. As a result, the future office users and residents will not rely on fossil fuels but use geothermal heat as a green energy source. 

 

Gaspard Lachappelle, Project Manager at CODIC: "From contaminated land to a vibrant green living and working district, MALT aims to become the reference of a sustainable redevelopment project. Everything was designed with the end user in mind. Whether you go home or come to work, on foot, by bike or by car: at Malt you can arrive and stay carefree. And all in a sustainable and healthy way."

 

Planning

According to the current planning, the first office users will be welcomed by summer 2025. In spring 2026, the first residents will be able to move in. 

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19 December 2024
Civil