Twee Kranen, a New Future for the Van Laere Site

Together with Hexagon, we are joining forces to give the former Van Laere site in Zwijndrecht a new future. Under the name Twee Kranen, we are working on a mixed-use project that will align well with the needs of the neighborhood.

Valuable for the community

To bring new life to the site, Revive and Hexagon decided to join forces and establish a new project company: Twee Kranen, named after the two iconic cranes on the Van Laere site. The goal of our partnership is to develop a mixed-use economic program where the scale of the project allows for both tailored business developments and neighborhood-supporting functions. The architectural firm B2Ai is responsible for the master plan.

“Today, it is essential for developers to strive for not only financial value but also value for people and the environment,” says Revive founder Nicolas Bearelle. “Our team is fully committed to social and ecological objectives, with our B Corp certification as proof. That same mindset will be tangible throughout the entire trajectory of this joint venture in Zwijndrecht.”

Site with history

The industrial area, covering 7.2 hectares, is a unique and strategic location on the Antwerpsesteenweg in Zwijndrecht, along the Parallelweg of the new Oosterweel link. It has long been home to the Van Laere construction company. With its neon lights and two large yellow cranes, it is a striking spot for everyone passing by or living nearby.

Van Laere acquired the current site in the 1950s, establishing, among other things, its own metal construction assembly department, a concrete plant, and an office building. Last year, Van Laere moved to a new office building at the Baarbeek business park, while some functions remained at the old site.

In about three years, those activities, as well as some third-party activities temporarily housed there, will be relocated, fully freeing up the site for redevelopment. These changes opened up the possibility for a new use for the site, matching the needs of the municipality of Zwijndrecht and the surrounding region.

Reconversion is essential

To fully map out the needs of the neighborhood, an extensive study will be conducted. Additionally, the brownfield covenant has been requested. This covenant was introduced by the Flemish government to encourage the redevelopment of underutilized brownfields in collaboration with all relevant authorities.

“The pressing shortage of space highlights the added value of this reconversion,” says Hexagon director Jelle Vandendriessche. “With our participation in the project company Twee Kranen, we aim to develop an innovative and dynamic place in Zwijndrecht, providing a boost to both the site and the surrounding area.”