Nekkerhal goes to the ground: Erotica fair and Christmas Jumping must look for a new location (Mechelen)
Point 184 of the Mechelen policy plan is one of the most striking. It states that the city wants to transform the site of the Nekkerhal into an area for living, working and living. By 2032, when the agreement with operator Easyfairs expires, the city wants to have a spatial implementation plan drawn up. That should make the transformation of the site possible in the years afterwards.
The Nekkerhal is broken down. The area will be a residential area. – © Joris Herregods
It is striking that the city does not sell the Nekkerhal, but wants to break down to build a residential area. Until recently, there were conversations between Easyfairs and Studio 100 for the purchase of the former Groentenhal. « We only wanted to sell the Nekkerhal if there was a total vision, including an agreement between the buyer and the current tenant. That agreement was not found, » says ships of buildings Arthur Orlians (for Mechelen).
The Nekkerhal is operated by Easyfairs, which organizes various stock exchanges every year. – © Joris Herregods
And so events such as the Bras flea market, the Erotica fair, Woonbeurs must live and not at least the Christmas yumping in search of a new location. « Those kinds of events have a positive influence on the city, » says Mayor Bart Somers (for Mechelen). « But the hall is empty for most of the time. We have to look at efficient use of space and see here the chance to grow the city in an organic way. »
Theatrium
Moreover, with a broader range of event options, the city expects to be able to accommodate the departure of such trade fairs. “We have the ambition for the theatrium (an event hall, ed.) To be purchased and to be part of the Great Cultuurhart at the foot of the Sint-Rombout tower, « said ships of Cultuur Kristof Calvo (for Mechelen). » The realization thereof entails an investment of more than 46 million euros. «
The Nekkerhal was built in the early 1980s and is finished. She is worn out. We must also dare to question its added value
Bart Somers (for Mechelen)
Mayor
Until the time comes, the city also provides 1.5 million euros for so -called owner obligations. « The Nekkerhal was built in the early 1980s and finished. She was worn out. In the coming years we will of course be responsible for the maintenance works. They are really necessary, » says Mayor Somers, who does not exclude that there will be room for a smaller event room on the renewed site. « But we must dare to question the added value of a large complex like the Nekkerhal. »
The city wants to buy the theatrium and be part of the renewed cultural heart. – © Dirk Vertommen
For the renewal of the site and the realization of a conference center, the Flemish government already released ten million euros a few years ago. That amount cannot be used for the current plans for the site, but possibly for the renewal of the theatrium. In addition to a stage room for a thousand spectators, the city also wants to realize congress and meeting options.
Read too. For the time being, the sale of Nekkerhal and Lamot is fixed: “First a new congress center”
Furthermore, the city also wants to sell the former Brewery De Zeelderidder in Befferstraat, just like the Lamot Congress Center. The city tried that before. The last time was in 2022. Then Lamot was put for sale for 9.4 million euros. There was some interest from domestic and foreign candidates, but no bid was made, after which the city took it off the market.
