Kasteel Steenenburg opened as restaurant, hotel and meeting location

With a festive push of a button, Kasteel Steenenburg was officially opened. The former "pink castle," part of leisure company Libéma, has been transformed into a restaurant, hotel and meeting location.

The opening act was performed by Libéma director Dirk Lips, together with Landgoed Steenenburg initiator Jan Kelders and Alderman Martijn van Esch, representing the entire municipality of Heusden.

Four stars
A day earlier there was also champagne: then the team of Kasteel Steenenburg was allowed to receive the 4-star-plus certification for the hotel. Lips: "It is great to receive this recognition. We go for the best possible service, matching the castle and its surroundings."

The doors of Kasteel Steenenburg will finally open to the public on Sept. 29. The venue, also known as Kasteel d'Oultremont, caters to business guests for meetings, dinners and overnight stays as well as individuals who wish to stay and dine for one or more days.

Accessible
Dirk Lips was born in nearby Drunen and as a boy was allowed to go with his father to the castle when he visited the count. "I was not allowed to go further than the hall then, but it made a huge impression on me. So I really feel involved with the castle and its surroundings. It is special and a tremendous honor that Libéma, thanks in part to the efforts of Jan Kelders and the municipality of Heusden, has now been able to breathe new life into the castle and make it accessible again for residents and businesses in the region.

In the landmark building, first mentioned in the year 1230, the historic rooms have been stylishly renovated into six meeting rooms and a bar & lounge. The newly built conservatory houses Orangerie Steenenburg with 120 seats. A new hotel was also built, containing 56 DeLuxe rooms and suites and a gym. The historic garden has been restored to its original state. The 1000-step lane has been refurbished and partially relocated.

High quality
"It was our desire to preserve the monumental castle as a characteristic reminder of the Land of Once and give it a beautiful, new use that adds something to our community. This has more than succeeded!" responds Alderman Martijn van Esch. "It really has become a gem. I am impressed and so will everyone who can come and admire the beautiful result starting Monday. This is a fantastic step for Steenenburg Estate, where together with partners such as Libéma and Jan Kelders we are developing the area into a place of exceptionally high quality where living, working and relaxing come together."

"With the realization of the beautiful Kasteel Steenenburg, the area finally gets the representative accommodation it deserves: an inspiring meeting place that perfectly matches the high-quality and innovative image of the Life Science Park Steenenburg," says Jan Kelders.

Life Science Park Steenenburg
Entrepreneur Jan Kelders, together with Hendriks Bouw, is developing an innovative Science Park and a medical High Tech Campus with expertise center in the northern part of the estate where all knowledge about MS and its treatment will come together. MS patients themselves play an active role in their treatment. They can share their experiences with others and get a say in their treatment process-essentially, because MS is still not curable. With patients' consent, treatment results can be shared with researchers, contributing to the development of new drugs and ultimately a possible cure for MS.

Before the end of this year, the construction of the first building will start with the laying of the foundation stone. For the further development of the Life Science Park Steenenburg, clear guidelines have been established about which companies can establish themselves here. Startups are also welcome.

About Kasteel Steenenburg
Kasteel Steenenburg was owned by the Dukes of Brabant until 1387. Then it came into the hands of several noble families, including the d'Oultremont family from 1707. In 1794, French troops occupied the castle and turned it into a military hospital. When they left a year later, the castle burned down. Only the gatehouse remains standing. This was restored and enlarged in 1875 in the style of a castle. From 1989 to 2007 it was part of the theme park the Land van Ooit, where it was known as the Pink Castle, referring to the color in which the building was painted.

In 2008, the estate comes into the hands of the municipality of Heusden, which restores the exterior of the castle and also restores its original colors. Libéma has been the owner of Kasteel Steenenburg since 2023. A unique living and working area is further developed on the estate with various housing projects.