‘s-Gravenwezel is a refined and upmarket neighborhood, set on the northeast edge of Antwerp in Belgium, with aristocratic pedigree, historic and rural character, and beautiful greenery.
‘s-Gravenwezel, whose name comes from the word “wesele” meaning “forest near the meadows,” has a long history. It has historic castles, old domains, country estates, and comprises a rich patchwork of forests, farmland, nature reserves, and open countryside, according to Oliver Van Blerk, office manager of Engel & Völkers Antwerp.
Historically, the Antwerp neighborhood was formed of estates owned by nobility and features maison de plaisance (or pleasure palaces in English)–a French term used to describe rural and suburban houses designed as retreats for the noble classes. In the 1950s, large parts of estate land were sold and divided into smaller plots.
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With its idyllic, almost rural setting, large houses and villas, both modern and period, and relatively easy commute into central Antwerp, ‘s-Gravenwezel, is a classic address of wealthy “Sinjorens” (a nickname for Antwerp’s inhabitants deriving from the Spanish word “senõr”) and is known for its high prices.
In 2020, the market in ‘s-Gravenwezel has seen rising interest, with agents reporting year-over-year increases in sales. Mr. Van Blerk said people in central Antwerp have felt “locked up” during Covid-19 and want the freedom of more land.
“Villas with large gardens set in a green environment are seeing steady demand at the moment and people are looking for specific rooms in houses with remote working possibilities,” he said.
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Boundaries
‘s-Gravenwezel lies in the municipality of Schilde, an area between Antwerp and Kempen known as Voorkempen, just south of the Belgium-Netherlands border.
Triangular-shaped ‘s-Gravenwezel adjoins the town of Schilde to the south. Its southern border follows the route of an anti-tank canal, which was built during World War II. The watercourse runs beside a siege wall and fortresses created as a line of defense for Antwerp built in 1859.
Its western edge follows Lemmekensbaan, Driehoekdreef, Raymond Delbekstraat and Waterstraat. Its northern border follows Kleine Vraagstraat, Grovedreef and Kaaistraat. It heads south following the northern edge of Antwerp International Golf Club Rinkven and meets up with the canal on its southern side.
Housing Stock
‘s-Gravenwezel has both apartments and houses, with the majority being luxury villas and detached houses, many of which are set on large plots, Mr. Van Blerk said.
Most buyers are looking for modern on the inside and preferably on the outside as well, said Henriette Siersema, office director at Antwerp Sotheby’s International Realty. Landscaped gardens, cinema rooms and swimming pools are common features, according to Mr. Van Blerk. He added that most houses are around 4,300 square feet, while apartments are around 1,600 square feet.
Modern or contemporary homes feature classic styles of architecture and many were constructed by well-known architects such as Axel Vervoordt, and high-end house builders, including Vlassak Verhulst and Sels Villabouw, which both specialize in the construction of villas, according to Mr. Van Blerk.
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Price Range
Ms. Siersema said that the price range for homes in ‘s-Gravenwezel is roughly between €1.75 million (US$2.1 million) and €9 million.
Villas in ‘s-Gravenwezel for sale in 2020 priced above €1 million have an average price of €1.85 million, Mr. Van Blerk said.
What Makes It Unique
Mr. Van Blerk said the combination of greenery—it has a number of parks and forests and lies adjacent to nature reserves—tranquillity, authentic character, accessibility (it is a short distance from the business center of Antwerp) and the idea that you can live between beautiful spacious villas makes ‘s-Gravenwezel what it is today.
“‘S-Gravenwezel is known as the Pearl of Voorkempen and is one of its forested villages, with many old farms, castles, old domains [estates], and leisure facilities. Here the emphasis is on green,” Mr. Van Blerk said. “You can go on long and relaxing [bike] and walking tours, or just wander around an extensive castle domain and enjoy the beautiful meadow and forest landscapes.”
Ms. Siersema added that ‘s-Gravenwezel offers an eclectic lifestyle with luxurious shops and restaurants in the middle of green and nature-full surroundings. “For people who are looking for a quiet and beautiful environment, ‘s-Gravenwezel is the place to be,” she said.
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Luxury Amenities
Surrounded by forests and countryside, ‘s-Gravenwezel and its surrounding areas offer many sports clubs and outdoor pursuits.
There is the Brabo Tennisclub vzw, a summer club with nine outdoor fields and a midi field (T.C. Gym tennis club is in nearby Schoten); horse-riding stables (Stahl Brado horse riding school and Brabohoeve and Horsehotel horse riding schools); and a golf club (Antwerp International Golf Club Rinkven, which has two 18-hole championship courses).
Plus, the Royal Antwerp HC, a hockey club in Sint-Job-in-’t-Goor, which borders the Rinkven golf course.
According to agents, the area is full of highly rated public schools. International schools include Antwerp International School, a private, international, co-ed preschool, primary and secondary school in Ekeren, about 10 miles from Schilde. It also offers the International Baccalaureate curriculum.
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The local restaurant scene is impressive, home toDessensi, a Michelin-starred fine-dining establishment with a modern French menu serving classical dishes set in a handsome villa. There’s also Bradbohoeve, a food and wine bar with a smart, modern interior serving European dishes.
In nearby Schilde, there’s Casello, set in an 18th-century toll house, with an elegant Italian and Belgian seafood menu; Brasserie De Vogelenzang, which features covered outdoor dining; the French restaurant Euryathé; and Thijm, a brasserie with a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-influenced menu.
‘s-Gravenwezel has a few boutiques on Wijnegemsteenweg and adjoining Kertstraat including Devos, a home furniture shop, Huis de Winter, a luxury men’s clothing shop, Accompli, Sally 4th, and Dress-code One, all women’s luxury clothing shops, and Christof Herenmode, a clothing boutique.
In central Antwerp, known as Belgium’s fashion capital, shoppers will find the city’s most upmarket shopping streets. Huidevettersstraat has boutiques by Michael Kors, Marina Rinaldi, Max Mara and Hugo Boss, and the Arket store and café; Schuttershofstraat has boutiques by Chanel, Hermés, and 7 For All Mankind, and Leopoldstraat has the Roche Bobois home furniture store and the flagship store of LN Knits, a popular Belgian knitwear brand.
Meanwhile, the flagship store of Dries Van Noten, one of Belgium’s most famous fashion designers, lies on Nationalestraat in Antwerp.
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Who Lives There
Most ‘s-Gravenwezel residents are working professionals who commute to central Antwerp or the port of Antwerp and are typically aged between 30 and 65. Most are Belgian, but there is also a large Dutch community in ‘s-Gravenwezel and nearby Schilde, Mr. Van Blerk said.
“The accessibility between Antwerp and the Netherlands is one of the reasons that they have chosen to settle there,” he explained.
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Notable Resident
Axel Vervoordt is a world-renowned Belgian designer whose clients include Kanye West, and he has, since the mid-1980s, owned Kasteel van ‘s-Gravenwezel, a castle built in the 14th century. Mr. Verdoordt has restored the building and created in its grounds an Abstract Expressionism-style prairie garden, according to Vogue.
Outlook
Over the past few years, property prices in ‘s-Gravenwezel have increased slightly, as have the surrounding municipalities, Mr. Van Blerk said. “Since the beginning of 2020, we have noticed greater demand from people from central Antwerp who want to live in a quieter, green environment in properties with a private garden,” he said. “This, of course, has an influence on the price because the supply of real estate has decreased in recent months, with an increasing demand.”
On average, it takes about two to three months to sell a home here, Mr. Van Blerk said. “Homes under €1.5 million have sold faster in recent months and, in some cases, after just one visit.” A total of 100 houses/apartments [in the Schilde municipality] were sold in the first three quarters of 2020.
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Mr. Van Blerk said it appears that demand for family homes in green environments will continue to rise. “Investing in homes in ‘s-Gravenwezel is only positive.”
Over the past few years, there has been an oversupply of luxury properties on the market in ‘s-Gravenwezel and it has pulled prices down, Ms. Siersema said. “However, in 2020, the market has strengthened as sales have increased.”
Ms. Siersema said new luxury apartment buildings in Antwerp attract downsizers, helping to free up larger villas in the municipality for younger buyers. “These villas are being bought by a slightly younger demographic including families who want to move to ‘s-Gravenwezel for its green spaces.”
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