A significant milestone has been celebrated at the site of the former ENCI cement factory in Maastricht: the official designation of five national monuments and eighteen municipal monuments. The scale of the designation, the largest in the Netherlands in ten years, underscores the exceptional cultural-historical significance of the iconic buildings on the site. The first developments for the ENCI site were also presented. Existing and unique factory buildings, a large part of which are monumental, are being repurposed for cultural, commercial, and residential functions. This intended repurposing offers the opportunity to preserve the heritage while simultaneously revitalizing the area.
ENCI: A Symbol of Reconstruction
During the ceremony, Susan Lammers, General Director of the Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE), handed over the first monument plaque to Harry van der Hoorn, owner of the former factory site of the First Dutch Cement Industry (ENCI). Susan Lammers considers the ENCI site a crucial part of our industrial history and a symbol of Dutch innovation and reconstruction after World War II. This designation not only reflects the heritage value of the former cement factory but also marks a new era in the development of the site
, said Lammers. With a total of 23 monuments, this heritage forms the basis for sustainable area development.
Harry van der Hoorn adds: Our ambition is to preserve the original raw character of the site so that this unique history remains visible and serves as an inspiration for future developments in the areas of work, living, life, recreation, innovation, and education. From industrial heritage to a vibrant future.
Saved from Demolition
Municipal Executive for Cultural Heritage, Frans Bastiaens is proud that Maastricht, as the second cultural city of the Netherlands, is now richer by 23 monuments. Our heritage partly shapes our identity and the future of this unique ENCI area. The monumental foundations of yesterday are the breeding ground for the creative and sustainable activities of tomorrow
, said Frans Bastiaens. It is remarkable that a vision for the future of the ENCI site from 2010 still proposed that the Oven 8 complex, which covers about a third of the site, should be demolished. Thanks to the input from, among others, the National Architect, the National Committee for the Repurposing of Monuments, and the Bond Heemschut, the protection of this unique industrial heritage has since come to the agenda. This has led to intensive and constructive cooperation between various authorities (State, Province of Limburg, Municipality of Maastricht), heritage organizations, and the owner of the site.
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Municipal Monument De Slakhal
If the ENCI site becomes a place for living and working, culture is essential. The ENCI must serve as a cultural attraction. The current AINSI theater is already appreciated, but the Slakhal, where blast furnace slag was once dried, will, according to the ENCI Maastricht development team, grow into a dynamic meeting point where past and future merge. The monument would provide a beautiful backdrop for, for example, an ENCI Museum and space for small-scale programming. We encourage experiments and talent development that fit the atypical and inspiring ENCI environment
, says Ivan Roos, who presented the filling of the first buildings on behalf of the development team. The goal is also to use the Slakhal as a home for various cultural institutions. Discussions are ongoing with the Social Historical Center for Limburg (SHCL), a heritage center focusing on the socio-economic and cultural history of Limburg.
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National Monument De Grondstoffenhal
One of the prominent buildings recognized as a national monument is the Grondstoffenhal, including its conveyor belts, transporters, and a crane on the Maaskade. This impressive hall, with a length of no less than 340 meters, was used for storing raw materials needed for cement production. Part of the Grondstoffenhal will soon form the new entrance to the ENCI area, making the unique site that has been closed off until now accessible to the public. There will also be space for cultural activities here. Additionally, there are plans to transform the Grondstoffenhal into a location for both housing and businesses.
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National Monument Oven 8
Another proposed development that was explained is the ENCI Energy Hub. Water is being used to make the site climate-resilient. The hub will reuse excess water from the quarry as process water for businesses, contributing to a circular water management in the area. Open water storage places on the former factory site will be used to capture water during heavy rainfall and thus prevent problems for the sewage system. Electricity will be generated with hydropower and solar panels and stored in batteries. Additionally, it is being investigated whether it is possible to produce biogas from biomass from the nature reserve in the future, which can then be used in the production processes on the site. Among other things, the Klinkerhal, as part of the iconic national monument Oven 8, will contribute to this.
Valuable Cooperation
The municipality of Maastricht, the province of Limburg, the State, and the owner of the former ENCI factory site emphasized the valuable cooperation. The fact that they can protect both the national monuments and the municipal monuments on the same day underscores the strong collaboration between the parties involved and marks an important step in the preservation of historical heritage in the Maastricht region.