Galerie photos
Kleon3, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
An Adventure That Began in 1828
It was in 1828 that the first textile workshop was established on this site. Over the decades, production evolved: manual looms gave way to machines, electricity replaced steam, and the company modernized. The name Textile de Pepinster officially appeared in 1921.
An Iconic Art Deco Façade
After a fire and the devastation of World War II, the current concrete façade in Art Deco style was built in 1946. Stretching elegantly along the river, it is now considered one of the region’s most iconic industrial landmarks.
Unfortunately, operations ceased in 1976, leaving behind a building as impressive as it is abandoned.
A Site Marked by Floods
Located in a flood-prone area, the former factory was severely damaged during the 2021 floods, when Pepinster was one of the hardest-hit towns in Belgium.
In response to these recurring risks, the municipality purchased the site in 2023 with the aim of transforming it into a controlled flood zone — a project that is both ecological and heritage-focused.
