Oct
22
Oceade – Brussels
Océade was an indoor waterpark in Brussels, Belgium and the largest of its kind in the Brussels Capital Region. Originally part of a 3 park franchise, the other 2 parks located in France, it was the only park to remain in business after the French divisions closed. Running at a loss, the park was acquired by the Walibi Group in 1992, with management experience built up through Aqualibi near Wavre just south of Brussels.
The park has continuously expanded and been renovated, and was the Belgian leader for water slides, with 14 slides in the park. Most notably, the Hurricane is record holder for the fastest European slide (average speed 40 km/h), and the Barracuda is the longest duo slide in Belgium. With over 240 000 visitors per year and a combined volume of 1 800 m³ of water, Océade was a major leisure attraction in the Brussels Capital Region.
In 2016, the Brussels city council announced Océade would be forced to close to make space for its NEO project, a redevelopment project envisioning the replacement of most of Bruparck (including Kinepolis and Océade) on the Heysel Plateau with a shopping district and residential area. Under public protest, closure was repeatedly postponed, and the final closing date was 30 September 2018.
All the slides and equipment have been bought by a Romanian water park and are currently getting dismantled and re-located.
Oct
22
Caterpillar – Gosselies, Belgium
The factory opened in 1965 and closed at the end of 2017 with a loss of 2000 jobs. It was used for the production of Hydraulic Excavators, Medium Wheel Loaders and components. It was also the Headquarters for CAT Belgium.
Friday 19th Oct 18: Sogepa, the Walloon Region and Thunder Power Electric Vehicle, officially sealed the agreement for the takeover of the Caterpillar Gosselies site. The project aims to develop a production line of small electric cars for the European market. It is hoped that the factory will employ the former skilled CAT workers in the future, with the hope of full production by 2020.
Aug
25
Oud Justitiepaleis – Belgium
It was built from 1871 to 1874.
Justice was served here to Belgium criminals for over 100 years and it now lies empty for over 10 years after being replaced by a more modern court house. The building is now awaiting renovation with an aim of completion 2020. Be warned, people live in the basement of this building and guard it!
Jun
11
Chateau Sarco – France
Built in the 19th century. Once owned by the ministry and sold in 2008 for just under 4 Million euro and abandoned ever since……
Jun
02
la Morgue Prelude – France
La Morgue Prelude is situated on a massive hospital site.
The hospital originally opened in the 1860’s, the hospital itself is still in use today but large parts of it is unused and getting renovated.
May
29
Atelier Central – Belgium
An old train depot that use to look after the traction engines of a nearby steel works. Cockerill Sambre site de Train repair
Apr
28
Château Lumiere – France
History
Built in early 1900s, this house was owned by a tobacco tycoon from Switzerland. After the owner moved away in 1950s, the house was used for business purposes, and was sold multiple times before finally being left empty.
There isn’t a confirmed date it was abandoned, but the general consensus seems to say its in the 1980s.
Mar
14
Bowling World – Belgium
Closed in late 2015. It closed due to a decline in custom and proposed development on the site of this bowling alley and dance hall next door.
Mar
12
Powerplant DC – Belgium
This was my 16th visit to Belgium for Exploring! Was a great little explore, only history I could find is below. It is a mix between DLSR and phone photos.
This power plant was built in 1960 and operated on gas . In 2014, the plant was closed. 40 jobs were lost.
It turns out that the electricity in the whole place is still working and the computers are still running!
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