CAW Antwerp buys status of old doctor’s house De Rank from municipality of Zoersel (Zoersel)
Former doctor’s residence de Rank. CAW Antwerp has already announced that it does not want to change much on the outside – the building is not protected as a monument. — © kma
The CAW (Centre General Welfare Work) Antwerp is going to buy the former doctor’s house De Rank for 290,000 euros from the municipality of Zoersel. The municipal council approved the temporary purchase-sale promise.
Kristin Matthyssen
In November 2011, the municipality purchased the property de Rank from the Monastery of Bethlehem. The building is part of the entirety of the former Bethaniënhuis, which is now used as an administrative center. In view of the current zoning regulations, it is therefore more interesting to sell the doctor’s house. De Rank is located next to the parking lot of the Administrative Center, approximately opposite Karel Uytroevenlaan.
In the light of this property the installment was received in several payments. At the beginning of this year it turned out that the CAW (Centrum Algemeen Welzijnswerk) Antwerp was very interested. According to the valuation report, the property is worth 270,000 euros, but an agreement of 290,000 euros has been reached.
The doctor’s residence is not protected, but the Antwerp CAW has already announced that it does not want to make any major changes to the outside.
Asking the opposition what an Antwerp welfare institution is looking for in the Zoerselse outskirts. “They are already renting a building on the Handelslei,” explains alderman for social affairs and welfare Katrien Schryvers (CD&V). “The CAW does a lot of business, from residential counseling to victim reception. Through this cross-pollination we strengthen the offer for vulnerable people. It also offers more opportunities for collaboration with the OCMW.”