Historic Hasselt Building, Once Home to Top Chef’s Restaurant, Hits the Market
HASSELT, Belgium – The Lombardenhuys, a landmark building in the heart of hasselt, is for sale, marking the end of an era for chef Laurens Snykers and his restaurant, Leeuw. Snykers is selling both the restaurant space and the attached loft apartment to prioritize his health following a series of heart attacks.
Originally constructed by the Lombarden brothers in the 14th century, the building received its current Maasland-style facade in 1758 and was officially designated a protected monument in 1980.Snykers purchased the property in 2020, undertaking a full renovation before opening Leeuw in 2021. The restaurant closed permanently a few months ago.
“With a lot of stomach pain, but there was no other way,” Snykers stated.”We have now taken the next step and the property is for sale. I am already jealous of the buyer, as they will get their hands on an unlikely property in the middle of the city that is entirely in order.”
The property, listed by Joris Valkenborgh of Vastgoed Valkenborgh, features a fully equipped industrial kitchen, a restaurant area with a terrace, and a furnished loft spanning three floors with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a spacious basement. Valkenborgh notes the building offers possibilities for residential, commercial, or catering use.
While Snykers hopes a new restaurateur will take the helm, he remains open to other possibilities. “My preference is for someone to start a restaurant here again, but other businesses and even residential properties are also possible. There is certainly interest, but no one has yet reached a purchasing compromise.”
Snykers, who has suffered three heart attacks, intends to focus on rest and recovery. “I have no idea yet what I wont to do. In any case, I am going to sell the business and the house above first. After that, I am going to take some time to find some rest.As I know: if I find somthing new tomorrow, I will throw myself into it one hundred percent again. Taking rest and making time for my health comes first.”
