Picpussen site becomes energy-efficient residential area

The historic school and monastery site is located near the intersection of Tongeren’s city ring road with Hasseltsesteenweg. Popularly, the former school site of Regina Pacis is known as the ‘Picpus’. The name ‘Picpus’ refers to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, or Congregatio Sacrorum Cordium. Indeed, shortly after its foundation in 1800, that congregation established its headquarters at rue du Picpus in Paris. One of its best-known members is Father Damien (1840-1889), who was canonised in 2009.

State of the art residential care centre

Patrick Kerkhofs of nv Picpussen, the site’s developer, said: “In our plans, we sought to give the past a place in a kind of city district of the future. For example, the monastery building will be given a new function as a residential care centre with space for 90 residents. From the start, we saw opportunities to break with the traditional way residential care centres are set up. Thus, the building is divided into small living groups. There will additionally be 39 assisted living homes with café and terrace.” For the city, the preservation of the historic monastery building was an absolute prerequisite in the project. “The result is a successful marriage between past and future,” said alderman Johnny Vrancken.

For young and old

The new city district is not just for senior citizens. Picpussen primary school has already been given a new place on the site and is fully embedded in the rolling terrain. In the next phase, a day nursery will also find a new place in the heart of the development. Above the crèche, housing will be provided in a new residence. In this way, the project aims for maximum ‘interweaving’, an important objective in the Flanders Spatial Policy Plan. Along a new access road to the site there will be single-family houses with gardens and parking facilities, and further contemporary residences with a wide variety of flats.

PMV co-invests

The Flemish investment company PMV is a co-investor in the project. It participates in the company’s capital and is at the helm of nv Picupussen. Senior investment manager Bertrand Van Regemortel (PMV) explains: “The evolution of the population and the changes in the way we live and work present our cities with the complex challenge of doing more with the same space. PMV advises, guides and finances sustainable area development and real estate projects that are socially relevant. The often complex area developments require innovative financing solutions. PMV offers both capital participations and loans to enable the financing of an area development or real estate project.”

Energy

A major reason for PMV to invest in the project is its commitment to future energy supply. Indeed, when it comes to energy, residents will be able to enjoy the latest technology. Bertrand Van Regemortel: “A centrally controlled heat network will distribute heat to the entire district. We extract that heat from the ground using deep geothermal energy. Conversely, heat pumps with passive cooling provide ideal comfort in summer. Ingeniously controlled solar panels are the final element. We aim to make the entire residential area virtually energy-neutral. That would immediately be a first for the province of Limburg.” Car traffic will also be avoided as much as possible within the site, which is easily accessible by public transport and gives priority to pedestrians and cyclists.

Project partners

PMV partners with Borghof Invest which focuses on the realisation of community real estate.

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