December 15, 2025 - Maastricht’s political parties have expressed broad support for the plan to redevelop the Bonbonnière into a House for Culture, Knowledge and Society. This preferred scenario, proposed by the municipal executive, emerged as the most widely supported option during the Physical Domain Committee meeting.
The municipality has earmarked 30 million euros for the renovation. However, our research shows that restoration of the monument may be possible for approximately 19 million euros. Director Machiel van der Plas indicated that this estimate is based on recent structural inspections and specialist studies carried out by HERMON Heritage.
In addition, the ownership of the building and Heineken’s ground lease position are being examined, which may be bought out in order to accelerate the renovation process. It is also being explored whether parts of the Bonbonnière can be brought back into use at an earlier stage.
Social and cultural partners, united in the Friends of the Bonbonnière, have expressed their intention to jointly guarantee a substantial part of the future occupancy. This creates a stable foundation for the further development of the plan and the sustainable restoration of this monumental building.