In 2021, the VGP Foundation purchased Tibur Hof, a protected historic property located in Rumst, Belgium. The Foundation’s intention is to restore the property while respecting its historical value and to give it a new purpose. Once restored, the property will support all three pillars of the Foundation’s mission:
- Protection of European cultural heritage by restoring the historic building to its original authenticity.
- Nature conservation by restoring the adjacent park and its protected trees.
- Social impact through the organisation of charitable, educational, and environmental events.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the project and maintain financial independence from the Foundation’s funding, the restored building will be leased to VGP NV as its headquarters. This arrangement will provide the Foundation with a stable and recurring source of income while also giving it a dedicated base from which to carry out its activities.
Tibur Hof enjoys a strategic location immediately adjacent to the highway connecting Brussels and Antwerp. Despite its excellent accessibility, the property offers a high degree of privacy, as it is surrounded by an expansive park featuring extensive lawns, several protected trees, and water bodies inhabited by a variety of bird species.
The castle itself was built in the Late Classical style in 1807 to replace an older castle on the same estate. The rectangular building consists of two storeys, a mezzanine level, a basement, and a hipped roof. The front façade features a broad terrace, while the main entrance is framed by a hardstone entablature bearing the inscription “TIBUR” and, to the right, the text “Posé le 1 mai 1807” (“Laid on 1 May 1807”).
The property also includes two coach houses, an orangery, and a farmhouse with a barn, as well as a late 19th-century dovecote embellished with an angled brick frieze.
A historical survey of the property is currently underway and will provide valuable insights to support the restoration process.
