At Korvelplein 208 in Tilburg, a municipal monument has stood out for many years. Soon the appearance may change drastically. Permission has been given to build apartments on top of ‘L’Echo des Montagnes’, as the property is affectionately known.
If it is up to Ad van Eijck, treasurer of Heemkundekring Tilburg, nothing will be built on the building. He will therefore object on behalf of the local history circle: “We have about 100 protected municipal monuments in the city. This is one of them. There is no floor on top of it.”
On Sunday, van Eijck cycled past the building, which despite a Long history is still well intact. It was one of the first public primary schools and from 1878 it was home to the concert band L’Echo des Montagnes for a hundred years. The building has been called that ever since.
After that, the building was known as Korvel Tram Station until 1918. Then another tram ran over Korvelplein. The building has had a catering and shopping destination in recent years. It is currently used as a launderette.
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It is not only the local history circle that is involved. Local Tilburg and the PvdA also believe that the planned apartments ‘would disrupt the unique appearance’. “This is a truly unique piece of history. Korvelplein itself is one of the few historic herdgangs in Tilburg, surrounded by monumental buildings,” says Frans van Aarle, Local Tilburg.
There are no reasons for the council to refuse to ‘top up’ and renovate the building. However, the unique facade must remain. It was not built until 1918. “The facade is listed as a monument, so it will remain as it is. Everything behind it will fall to the ground and some more expensive apartments will take its place,” explains van Aarle.
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Van Aarle also knows that there is a housing shortage. “We have nothing against apartments per se. We are in favor of building something at the back. We say: do not affect the historic appearance of the building.”
Van Eijck thinks he has a good chance with his objection. “You can’t just sit on a protected monument, but how such an objection works is always a struggle.” Earlier, an objection about a planning application for a monumental building on the Bredaseweg was granted. “The municipality must abide by its own rules.”
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