Meelfabriek de Sleutels, Flour mill complex in Leiden, Netherlands
Meelfabriek de Sleutels is a flour mill complex in Leiden made up of thirteen buildings, ten of which are national monuments, alongside four newer structures. The site sits at the intersection of Oosterkerkstraat and Zijlsingel, blending historical industrial architecture with contemporary additions.
The complex began operations in 1896 and functioned as a flour mill until 1988, reaching its peak production during the 1950s. It served as a key production site for the Dutch milling industry during its active years.
The redevelopment project preserves the industrial heritage while transforming the space into a mixed-use complex for residential, commercial, and cultural purposes.
The site features multiple loading areas and large windows that allow natural light throughout the buildings. Visitors should allow adequate time to explore this expansive industrial area on foot.
The complex includes a double spiral staircase designed for moving goods vertically, supported by wooden elevators and conveyor systems. This ingenious arrangement allowed large quantities of flour to move efficiently between different levels during production.
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