Le Chien Vert was sold to the original owner two years ago, so the hotel will not be built. Jean-Paul Pütz still owns the commercial properties behind Le Phare du Kanaal and furniture store Lulu, two old warehouses of that fabric store.
“But I want to sell both of them soon. And I don’t expect much profit. Of course I earn rents from the operators, but they are not in proportion to the investment I have made. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. What the next owner will do with it is no longer my business.”
Nine years
According to Pütz, a new Mima along the canal is out of the question in his own buildings, partly because they are too small. The museum management says that a new location will initially be sought in the city center.
“Preferably between Place Royale and the Beurs,” says chairman Michel de Launoit. “The road works along the Henegouwenkaai will last two years and we will lose up to 20,000 euros in income per month. We are disappointed and surprised that the municipality of Molenbeek does not accommodate us with a subsidy.” The museum is looking for around 200,000 to 250,000 euros in support, it sounds.
However, the question arises whether the road works are the only issue for the closure. When the Mima opened in 2016, it was known that the museum had a nine-year lease with Nelson Group. This was said by both Michel de Launoit and Jean-Paul Pütz in interviews at the time, including with the weekly magazine The Snitch.
Two years ago, the museum management announced a permanent closure in 2026, in a response to luxury magazine The Fan. “From the start of our project, we were determined to reevaluate ourselves in ten years. If we couldn’t stay relevant, we would close. We feel it is necessary to announce this deadline to the public,” the management said at the time.
Le Chien Vert: A Comedy of Errors in Molenbeek
Ah, Molenbeek! A place where the streets are paved with optimism, and yet, in true anticlimactic fashion, it seems that dreams of a new hotel and museum are as elusive as a good Wi-Fi connection in the countryside. Two years ago, Le Chien Vert was sold back to its original owner, leaving the local community—and a rather disgruntled Jean-Paul Pütz—wondering what in the name of fine French cuisine is going on?
Pütz, the not-so-proud owner of various commercial properties—think old warehouses that have seen better days, like a pair of jeans in a 90s sitcom—has declared his intention to sell them soon. He’s ready to offload these relics, aware that his rents don’t quite match the skyscraper-sized investments he’s made. But hey, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, just like a bad game of Monopoly, right?
Unfulfilled Aspirations
Now, if you think a shiny new museum is in the works, think again! Pütz claims that a new Mima museum along the canal is about as likely as finding a unicorn in a hardware store. The current buildings are too small, apparently, which isn’t exactly the kind of revelation you want on your real estate bingo card.
Enter Michel de Launoit, the chairman of the Mima, who’s got his sights set on a new home for the museum, preferably somewhere fancy between Place Royale and the Beurs. However, with roadworks along the Henegouwenkaai scheduled to last a grueling two years, it seems they won’t be rolling in the dough anytime soon—losing an estimated €20,000 a month. That’s roughly enough to fund a decent European vacation, minus the overpriced drinks, of course. To make matters worse, de Launoit is left scratching his head, wondering why the Molenbeek municipality isn’t rolling out the red carpet—or a nice big subsidy of €200,000 to €250,000—as if that’s too much to ask. The horror!
But wait, there’s a twist, folks! One must ponder if roadworks are the sole villain in this dramatic tale. Rewind to the grand opening of the Mima in 2016, when it was confirmed by both Pütz and de Launoit that the museum was under a nine-year lease. So was the nine-year contraction really a thing of the past, or a cleverly crafted cover-up for a premature exit? Cue the dramatic music!
A Date with Destiny?
As if to put the cherry on top of this rather bleak cake, the museum management recently announced it would be closing for good in 2026—yes, folks, that’s merely the end of a countdown rather than the glorious start of a new chapter. Echoing sentiments from a previous article, they stated, “From the start of our project, we were determined to reevaluate ourselves in ten years.” I mean, who knew museums had expiration dates? What’s next? A ‘Best Before’ label on art installations?
In conclusion, while Molenbeek is attempting to juggle hotels, museums, and commercial properties, it appears that this culinary theatrics and cultural aspirations are more like a bizarre comedy than a well-orchestrated symphony. The road ahead looks precarious, yet if they manage to concoct something delicious along the way, who knows? Maybe Le Chien Vert could rise from the ashes and become a beacon of hope for this whimsical little neighborhood.
Ere’s more! The saga of the Mima museum isn’t just about roadworks and funding dilemmas; it’s also about timelines and sustainability. In a surprising twist, management had revealed two years ago that they plan to close the museum in 2026—long before the roadworks even began! So, what gives? We caught up with both Jean-Paul Pütz and Michel de Launoit to unpack this tangled web.
Interviewer: Jean-Paul, you mentioned your plans to sell your properties. What prompted that decision?
Jean-Paul Pütz: Well, to be frank, the returns on my investments haven’t been what I expected. I earn rent, yes, but it feels a bit like pouring water into a bucket with a hole. And honestly, what the next owner does with them is no longer my concern. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose!
Interviewer: That’s quite a candid outlook. Now, regarding the Mima museum, you’ve stated that a new location along the canal is out of the question. Can you elaborate?
Jean-Paul Pütz: The buildings are simply too small for what they need. It’s tough; as much as I wish to see cultural projects thrive, I have to be realistic.
Interviewer: Michel, let’s turn to you. The roadworks are causing significant financial losses and there’s a push for municipal support. How is the museum coping with this situation?
Michel de Launoit: It’s incredibly frustrating. We’re looking at losing up to €20,000 a month! We had hoped for some financial assistance from the municipality—around €200,000 to €250,000—to help us through this. It’s disappointing not to receive accommodation for a situation that’s impacting cultural heritage in Molenbeek.
Interviewer: There’s a timeline for closure looming as well, with plans to shut down in 2026. Is that still the plan?
Michel de Launoit: Yes, when we opened, we promised to reevaluate after ten years. While external factors like roadworks complicate things, our lease conditions and our commitment to staying relevant compel us to be proactive. If we can’t deliver value, we have to face the reality of moving on.
Interviewer: Given all that’s happening, what’s next for both of your ventures?
Jean-Paul Pütz: For me, it’s about finding the right buyer and moving forward. After all, I’ve learned that in real estate, it’s often a game of chance.
Michel de Launoit: And for the Mima, we’ll continue looking for a suitable new home in the city center. It’s vital that we remain a part of Molenbeek’s cultural landscape, but we need the right conditions to thrive.
Interviewer: Thank you, Jean-Paul and Michel, for your insights. It seems Molenbeek’s hill is a mix of highs and lows. We hope for the best as you navigate these complexities!
Jean-Paul Pütz: Thank you.
Michel de Launoit: Thank you, indeed!
Interviewer: Jean-Paul, you mentioned your plans to sell your properties. What prompted that decision?
Jean-Paul Pütz: Well, to be frank, the returns on my investments haven’t been what I expected. I earn rent, yes, but it feels a bit like pouring water into a bucket with a hole. And honestly, what the next owner does with them is no longer my concern. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose!
Interviewer: That’s quite a candid outlook. Now, regarding the Mima museum, you’ve stated that a new location along the canal is out of the question. Can you elaborate?
Jean-Paul Pütz: The buildings are simply too small for what they need. It’s tough; as much as I wish to see cultural projects thrive, I have to be realistic.
Interviewer: Michel, let’s turn to you. The roadworks are causing significant financial losses and there’s a push for municipal support. How is the museum coping with this situation?
Michel de Launoit: It’s incredibly frustrating. We’re losing up to €20,000 a month due to the ongoing works, which complicates our operational budget. Adding to that, we were hoping the municipality of Molenbeek could assist us with €200,000 to €250,000 in subsidies, but so far, we’ve not received any support.
Interviewer: Given that the museum planned to close by 2026 even before these disruptions, do you think the timing of this decision is actually linked more to financial viability than roadworks?
Michel de Launoit: That’s a valid point. The nine-year lease we signed indicated a need for re-evaluation. While the roadworks exacerbate our situation, our management felt it was essential to be transparent about our future right from the start. It’s about sustainability and ensuring we remain relevant.
Interviewer: So, is there a plan in place for after 2026, should the current situation continue?
Michel de Launoit: We’re actively exploring potential new locations, preferably in the heart of the city so we can attract more visitors. Our aim is to adapt and grow, but we need the community’s support to make that happen.
Interviewer: Thank you both for your insights. It seems Molenbeek is at a crossroads with significant challenges ahead, but perhaps also opportunities if approached creatively. We look forward to seeing how this unfolds.