Villa Kattekasteel

Villa Kattekasteel is a historic villa in the Vogelzang valley, in the Anderlecht municipality on the outskirts of Brussels. Built in 1909, the house follows an English/Dutch cottage style rarely found in this part of the city. Its name — literally "cat castle" — comes from a cat statue that once sat above the large fireplace inside the building.

Where exactly is it located?

The villa stands at Rue Chant d'Oiseaux 195, in the Anderlecht district, right next to the valley of the Vogelzangbeek stream. This is one of the last areas of Brussels where an agricultural and natural landscape has survived so close to the densely built capital city center. The surroundings combine green spaces, farmland and remnants of old rural architecture, making a walk toward Kattekasteel feel like a small escape into nature.

What is the history of the building?

The villa was built in the early 20th century as a representative residence. In 1962 it passed into the ownership of the municipality of Anderlecht. Due to its architectural and historical value, the building was officially listed as a protected monument ("classé") in the Brussels-Capital Region on 12 November 1998. For many years, however, the villa awaited a thorough renovation — the first restoration plans date back to 2015, but the actual work took much longer to materialize.

What did the renovation involve?

Renovation work actually began in 2020, after securing around 6 million euros in funding from the European FEDER program (European Regional Development Fund). The restoration covered both the conservation of the building's historic structure and the adaptation of its interiors to new functions. The renovated villa officially reopened on 18 January 2024, after years of local residents waiting to see it restored to its former state.

What is it used for today?

Today, Villa Kattekasteel serves as a center supporting sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation in the Vogelzang valley. Two organizations are based inside the building: Le Début des Haricots, an association promoting urban farming and local food production, and CCN Vogelzang, which manages the nearby nature reserve. As a result, the villa has become more than just an architectural landmark — it now functions as a practical hub for environmental education and nature conservation work in this part of Brussels.

Why is it worth a visit?

Villa Kattekasteel is a rare example of a place where architectural heritage meets active environmental protection. It makes a good starting point for exploring the Vogelzang valley — along the way, visitors can see both a unique, century-old building and farmland and natural areas that are uncommon within the boundaries of a major European capital.

Frequently asked questions

Can the villa be visited inside? The building houses organizations working in urban farming and nature conservation, so access to the interior is generally tied to their activities — it's worth checking current information on-site or through the associations' websites before visiting.

Where does the name "Kattekasteel" come from? The name refers to a cat statue that once stood on the large fireplace inside the villa.

How do you get to Villa Kattekasteel? The villa is located at Rue Chant d'Oiseaux 195 in Anderlecht, in the Vogelzangbeek valley, easily reachable from central Brussels.