Molens Van Orshoven, Industrial mill complex in Leuven, Belgium.
Molens Van Orshoven is a 19th-century mill and factory building in Leuven that arranges residential spaces, storage halls, and production facilities in a U-shaped layout. The buildings spread across sloping ground and combine multiple functions within a cohesive complex.
The facility was designed by architects in 1873 and began as a grain mill powered by steam. In the 1920s it switched to electric equipment, and operations ended in the 1980s.
The complex shows how industrial work was organized in the 19th century, with residential areas placed directly next to production facilities for workers and their families. The cobblestone courtyards and neoclassical facades shape the appearance of a time when production and life were closely intertwined.
The site sits near Leuven's former port zone, which made deliveries easier. The ground is sloping, so expect different elevation levels when exploring the complex.
This is the last surviving mill complex of the region, where ships delivered goods directly to the waterway. The combination of worker housing and production under one roofline is rarely seen today.
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