Houthalen, 6 September 2011. Investment company LRM and the Houthalen-Helchteren municipality will today kick off the renovation of the head office of the former coal mine. The building will be transformed and renovated into GreenVille, a cleantech service centre. The operation involves an investment of EUR 5.1 million. In addition to financial support from the municipality and LRM, the project will be co-financed via LSM and EFRO funds.
GreenVille, “centre of cleantech”
Today marks the official start of the works on the former head office of the Houthalen coal mine. The mining building will be transformed into a cleantech service centre named GreenVille.
A project company set up by LRM and the municipality of Houthalen-Helchteren will manage the renovation, reconstruction and operation of the undertaking. The municipality supplied the main building and the terrain, representing a value of EUR 1 million. LRM’s investment, on the other hand, totals an amount of EUR 3.5 million, which is made up of EUR 1.5 million in capital and EUR 2 million as a subordinated loan. The resources will be used for the realisation of the entire business plan, covering the whole range of activities from the reconstruction to the actual operation.
“The former head office of the coal mine is the main heritage of our municipality, therefore it is great that we can now offer this building with its grand history a totally new future in keeping with the Houthalen-Helchteren master plan” stated Alain Yzermans, Mayor of Houthalen-Helchteren and Chairman of the AGB Master plan.
“The sector-specific incubator buildings are clearly a trump card of the Limburg acquisition policy integrated in locateinlimburg.com" explained Stijn Bijnens, General Manager of LRM. “GreenVille fits perfectly in the list of other LRM investments in this context, such as Research Campus Hasselt, BioVille and EnergyVille. In addition, it will play a very important role in Limburg’s development into a European cleantech region.”
From former mining building to Cleantech service centre
The works on the mining building were publicly tendered and divided into four separate contracts, which in July were awarded as follows:
• Construction Works Contractor: Reynders B & I
• Electrical Contractor: Maris Technics
• Contractor HVAC/sanitary facilities: Ondernemingen Van Den Briele
• Lift Contractor: All Lift Engineering
The works will be carried out according to the design of architect Hub-Architecture, which will also monitor the activities.
Today is the official kick-off and the project is expected to be delivered on 11 September 2012.
Total renovation and reconstruction costs amount to EUR 5.1 million. The Limburg Sterk Merk foundation LSM has provided a grant of EUR 3.3 million. European – EFRO – resources will be raised additionally.
Apart from the renovation and reconstruction works, GreenVille will also invest in the development of a visitor’s centre, café and kitchen. The ground floor of the future building will host office facilities, meeting rooms and function areas, a visitor’s centre, café and kitchen. The first and second floors will contain office suites and the atrium. The total area covers more than 5,000 sq m.
Commercialisation
Cleantech companies that take up residence in GreenVille can look forward to a complete and integrated infrastructure including shared meeting rooms, a canteen, reception desk and administrative support. A service agreement will cover the use of the facilities.
GreenVille offers cleantech companies an environment that revolves around cross-pollination and knowledge-sharing. It is actively looking for starting and growing green companies and organisations, with a focus on recycling, new materials and natural resources. Clients may include both private and public or semi-public players.
In a situation of full occupation, GreenVille will employ 150 people.
Flemish Minister of Innovation Ingrid Lieten: “Houthalen is taking the next step in becoming the capital of green and healthy technology. That is important for Limburg as the green lung of Flanders, but also for employment as it will create plenty of new jobs. I am currently finalising the NPO I-Cleantech, which will serve to support and enhance all of the cleantech activities in Flanders. It will have its head office in GreenVille-Houthalen.”
For an impression of the main building see the appendix.
For more information contact
Houthalen-Helchteren
Alain Yzermans
Mayor
M +32 499 511702
LRM
Jeffrey Alenus
Commercial Director
T +32 11 24 68 19
M +32 475 93 03 61
E j.alenus@lrm.be