Kasteel de Bergeyck

Kasteel de Bergeyck is a neo-Renaissance mansion on Kardinaal Mercierlei in the Oud-Berchem district of Antwerp, set back behind mature trees along one of the neighborhood's main avenues. From the outside it reads as a classic turn-of-the-century Belgian castle, but the plot it stands on has a much older story — it was once part of an estate known as "Lintworm," whose history traces back to the third quarter of the 16th century and develops further in the second quarter of the 17th century.

Where does the current building come from?

The mansion owes its present form to the de Caters family. In 1897 the property passed to Baron Amédée Pierre Marie de Caters (1839–1899), who had it expanded into the shape visitors can still recognize today. The baron was a well-connected figure in Antwerp's economic and diplomatic circles: he chaired the city's Commercial Court, served on the administration of the Suez Canal, and acted as consul for the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. His wife was Berthe de Croix de Saint-Amour (1846–1924).

Who were the de Caters family?

The de Caters family had deep roots in Berchem itself. Amédée's grandfather, Baron Pierre-Joseph de Caters (1769–1861), was a banker who also served as mayor of Berchem, showing how firmly the family was tied to the area long before the castle took its current form. Amédée's own son, Baron Pierre de Caters (1875–1944), became known as an aviation pioneer — a notable figure to emerge from the same family that shaped the building's expansion.

What happened to the castle afterward?

Over time the property passed into the hands of the Counts de Bergeyck, who gave the building its present name. It was this family that, in 1996, converted the interior into apartments, splitting the former family residence into separate living units while preserving the historic character of the facade and its main architectural features. Across the centuries the building has also housed people connected to the Belgian court, as well as widows of well-known artists, adding a quieter, more personal layer to its history beyond the aristocratic timeline.

Who lives in the castle today?

Kasteel de Bergeyck still functions as a residential building. One of its current residents is Axel Van Den Bossche, founder of the Belgian design brands Serax and Valerie Objects, who lives in part of the former mansion together with his partner Marie Michielssen and their four children. The interiors have undergone a thorough modernization while efforts were made to keep original architectural details intact — this blend of contemporary design and historic fabric is one reason the building occasionally appears in architecture and interior design coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Can Kasteel de Bergeyck be visited? The building is used as private housing and is not a general public attraction — it's best appreciated from the outside while walking along Kardinaal Mercierlei.

Where does the castle's name come from? The name comes from the Counts de Bergeyck, who took ownership of the building after the de Caters family and converted it into apartments in 1996.

What architectural style does the building represent? The mansion is built in the neo-Renaissance style, typical of residences built by wealthy Antwerp families around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Where exactly is the castle located? At Kardinaal Mercierlei 14A-B, in the Oud-Berchem district of Antwerp.