Ringenhof, Protected neoclassical château in Lier, Belgium.
Ringenhof is a rectangular château with two floors and a flat roof in Lier, where plastered facades feature water tables and decorative cornices. The 24-hectare estate includes multiple ponds, an orangerie with a semicircular layout, and a caretaker's house nearby.
The estate was built in 1849 by the Berckmans-Van den Brande family after purchasing land from a pleasure garden owned by the Bogaerts brewing family. This transformation from garden to residential home reflects mid-19th-century aspirations of the wealthy.
The house draws design inspiration from the Pavilion de Klein Trianon at Versailles, featuring four columns that frame three central windows. This approach reflects 19th-century taste for French classical elegance.
The estate sits on spacious grounds with multiple ponds and green areas that invite exploration on foot. Wear comfortable shoes to walk around the different sections and enjoy the grounds fully.
Belgian fashion designer Dries Van Noten currently owns and lives at the estate, showing how this classical residence continues to serve modern residential purposes. The combination of heritage protection and active contemporary use makes it a rare example of living heritage.
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