Mispelters
Located in the heart of Mechelen, Mispelters Site has a rich history dating back to 1588, when it was part of the Bethanië Monastery. In 1810, it became a brewery named ‘Den Posthoorn’, during which the four separate buildings were merged into a single functional entity. Later, it housed the office-supply store ‘New Mispelters’ for 70 years. After the store closed in 2019, the site was divided and sold to two developers who jointly aimed to transform it into a mixed-use urban infill project, comprising a townhome, apartments, commercial spaces, and the office of dmvA.
The site is situated at the corner of Sint-Katelijnestraat and Oude Beggaardenstraat, close to St. Rombouts Cathedral and adjacent to the Prince-Bishop’s Palace. Sint-Katelijnestraat is one of the main access routes to the city of Mechelen. The street is characterised by numerous historic gable fronted houses and wide houses.
At the start of the design process, a historical analysis of the site was conducted. Historical images and the old canal (vlieten) map of Mechelen revealed the presence of a former (covered) waterway along the site. This discovery informed the urban design concept for the project. Few of the non-significant and low-value rear buildings were demolished to make way for a shared courtyard along the waterway. This semi-public space encourages social interaction among all residents and acts as a catalyst for the entire site.
Architecturally, the four different buildings, which had previously been physically, visually, and functionally interconnected were restored as four autonomous, unique entities, each with its own architectural identity. The Deep House (Diephuis) was converted back into a residence. The Wide House (Breedhuis) was transformed into a commercial space with two residential units. The corner building, Drijhoek, now houses the new dmvA office, while the Warehouse (Pakhuis) was restored to its industrial glory and repurposed to accommodate parking and two loft apartments.
To ensure the long-term adaptability of the site, a long new building volume in simple brick architecture was added behind the historic Deep and Wide Houses. This extension accommodates private outdoor spaces for the residential units as well as a new shared stairwell and elevator, which are also used by the dmvA office. This allows future functional changes to be easily implemented.
The historic carriage passage of the Wide House, typical of 17th- and 18th-century urban houses, was restored and now serves as a shared entrance for the Deep and Wide Houses.
Deep House: Living Along a Canal
The Deep House is a traditional residential typology frequently used in Flemish and Dutch cities from the late Middle Ages (14th–15th centuries). It is characterised by a narrow street-facing façade and a deep, elongated plan, often on narrow plots. This particular Deep House, located along the canal, was extended with a small new volume and includes a suspended terrace on the upper floor. It also features a bell-gable, a façade type popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, with a curved, bell-shaped top.
Wide House: Commercial Space and Two Lofts
The Wide House is a typology that emerged from the 16th century, when wider plots and representative façades became more popular. Unlike the Deep House, it has a broad façade and relatively shallow plan. Characteristic features include floor structures made of main and secondary beams. The 17th-century roof structure with oak trusses was fully preserved and restored. The Wide House now accommodates two apartments above a commercial space on the ground floor.
Drijhoek: New dmvA Office in Dialogue with the City
The corner building was reconstructed after World War I as a warehouse, consisting of concrete floors supported by a concrete column-and-beam structure. The building originally had no separate vertical circulation. To restore autonomy, several interventions were made. The existing crawl space was converted and expanded into a full basement with technical facilities and restrooms. A concrete wall with a straight-flight staircase connects all floors and leads to a newly added roof terrace. Each floor has its own character, making circulation feel like an architectural promenade, where each level offers a new spatial experience.
The ground floor functions as the building’s urban living room: a bright, inviting space used not only for lunch and relaxation but also flexibly as an exhibition or meeting area. Large new bay windows connect the city and the architecture.
The first floor contains an open studio space.
The second floor accommodates two offices and meeting rooms around a patio that brings in light and greenery.
The roof terrace provides views of St. Rumbold’s Tower and serves as a pleasant space for breaks and relaxation.
Warehouse (Pakhuis)
The Warehouse, located on Oude Beggaardenstraat, provides shared parking for all entities and two loft apartments. The former industrial spaces were transformed into loft dwellings.
Canal (Vliet)
The uncovering of the canal aligns with the City of Mechelen’s vision to reintroduce water into the urban morphology. During construction, the old Hoornbrugje was also rediscovered. A historic element that has been integrated into the project, referencing the rich history of the site.
