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In the heart of Watermael-Boitsfort stands a domain of rare beauty: the château de la Héronnière, also known as château Morel.

Built in a neoclassical style and surrounded by a landscaped park of over five hectares designed in 1905 by the landscape architect Jules Buyssens, it has long been listed in the inventory of the heritage of the Brussels-Capital Region.

This exceptional place, both historical and natural, is a precious witness to the harmony between architecture and landscape. However, today, this heritage is dying in general indifference.

Unacceptable abandonment

According to information gathered, the domain - which was in excellent condition at the time of its sale a few years ago - would now be left to itself.

The current owner would show a total lack of interest in maintaining the site. Significant damage would have been caused by vandals, and the castle would have recently been occupied by squatters, leading to the entire building being boarded up.

This neglect is all the more worrying as it jeopardizes a major element of the architectural and landscape heritage of Brussels.

The legal framework is clear: owners of listed properties have an obligation to maintain, and the Region has tools for sanctions or intervention to prevent such drifts.

A matter of principle and responsibility

I find it incomprehensible that a property of such value could be left in an advanced state of dilapidation without any reaction from the authorities.

This situation illustrates a deep flaw in the effective protection of private heritage in Brussels, where some owners speculate on the degradation of a property to profit from it in the long term.

Faced with this drift, I have raised the issue with the Secretary of State for Heritage on several crucial points:

• Confirm the real state of the castle and the acts of vandalism observed;

• Specify if a classification procedure is being considered;

• Verify the legal obligations of the owner and any formal notices already issued;

• Identify the inspections carried out by the regional administration;

• Examine the sanction or support measures that the Region can implement;

• Assess the coordination with the municipality of Watermael-Boitsfort to act effectively;

• And finally, consider heritage monitoring tools to prevent other treasures from meeting the same fate.

  
  

Preserve before it's too late

The Region must react firmly.

We cannot accept that negligent or speculative owners jeopardize entire parts of our collective memory.

Preserving heritage is not about freezing the past, it's about protecting an identity, a beauty, an urban soul.

The château de la Héronnière deserves better than oblivion and fences.

? Brussels, June 16, 2025

Geoffroy Coomans de Brachène

Brussels MP - Urban Planning, Heritage and Architecture

My interpretation: