2023-10-22 15:55:00
Imagine that you own a castle and you want to sell it. A real estate agent must start looking for interested people. From the outset, one might think that the offer must be as broad as possible in order to reach potential buyers. But for castles, the way of doing things is clearly different.
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The publication of isolated real estate is anything but a marketing operation, as noted by the Luxembourg word. A discreet announcement on the website of the commissioned agency is all that indicates sales intentions. When asking different real estate agencies, the answers are always similar: “The owners do not want us to talk regarding the property. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to provide you with further information. Discretion is clearly a priority.
The castle of Septfontaines
At least three castles are currently for sale in Luxembourg. The most monumental of them is undoubtedly the Château de Septfontaines. The published sale price is 3.5 million euros. However, the necessary renovation and remediation is expected to cost much more. The castle has already been classified as a historic monument since 1937. It is not for nothing that people were already talking regarding “Castle Ruins” at the time.
The former owners attached great importance to appearing publicly as little as possible. Even following several requests, the Livinghome companyin charge of the sale, might not give concrete information on the status of the sale.
The Château de Septfontaines sits imposingly above the town. © PHOTO: Frank Weyrich
Wintrange Castle on the Moselle
In Wintrange on the Moselle, right next to Remerschen, a castle has also been for sale for some time. Unlike that of Septfontaines, the former owner was less reluctant. Philippe Schlesser certainly rented the estate he inherited for a long time to guests or companies, but following his move to Canada, interest in the castle faded.
The small castle has been classified as a historic monument since July 2016. With its 3.7 hectare estate in the heart of the wine village, the Sotheby’s agency was responsible for the sale. The announced price is 4.8 million euros. Apart from the information that negotiations with a potential buyer were well advanced, all questions subsequently asked of the real estate agent remained unanswered.
The domain of the Lordship in Ell
If there is no castle strictly speaking in Ell, the domain of the Lordship is not left out. On the park-like grounds of just over two hectares, the main building offers a living area of 530 square meters. The entire property is currently on offer for €4.975 million. It was only following several requests that the commissioned agency Engel & Völkers announced that the owner family did not wish to talk regarding the castle.
From the outside, Ell Castle appears to be in good condition. © PHOTO: Frank Weyrich
National monument for rent
One of the best kept secrets is Bellevue Castle in the capital. Six years ago, there was talk of selling it, the announced price then amounting to 55 million euros. The sales intentions even caused local politicians to react. In November 2018, the property was classified as a historic monument. After all, it served as a summer residence for the family of the national poet Edmond de la Fontaine in the 19th century.
From the outside, one cannot guess that behind the dense vegetation there is a castle. The former owner, Georg Baron von Hobe-Gelting from Palzem in Moselle, died in November 2022. Even if the castle is not for sale, the premises are still offered for rental, and as it is explicitly stated , for long-term rental. For 37,500 euros per month, the empty castle is presented as an office space, with its three-hectare park in the heart of the Limpertsberg residential district.
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According to real estate agent Fabrice Kreutz, there is currently no prospect of a short-term transaction: “We have certainly put it up for sale, but who would want to rent a castle which has been empty for years and which should first be renovated? I also haven’t heard from the owners for a long time. I didn’t even know that the baron had died. In any case, the motivation for getting the item into people’s hands seems quite modest.
A green gate and dense vegetation block the view of Bellevue Castle, a listed historic monument. © PHOTO: Frank Weyrich
Expensive restoration, difficult to use
A domain that has already been discussed several times in the past is also not for sale. But here too, the main objective has not yet been achieved. In Meysembourg, there is probably a castle which comes closest to the idea we have of Snow White’s castle. It has been renovated at great expense for years and yet the owners have since been looking for someone interested in operating a restaurant or hospitality business on the premises. But here too, the search proves to be long, especially since the location in the middle of greenery is subject to conditions. Pending finding an interested party, the castle and its grounds are currently used for isolated private events.
The owners are always looking for people interested in the future use of the castle. © PHOTO: Frank Weyrich / LW-Archives
A domain that has already been discussed several times in the past is also not for sale. But here too, the main objective has not yet been achieved. In Meysembourg, there is probably a castle which comes closest to the idea we have of Snow White’s castle. It has been renovated at great expense for years and yet the owners have since been looking for someone interested in operating a restaurant or hospitality business on the premises. But here too, the search proves to be long, especially since the location in the middle of greenery is subject to conditions. Pending finding an interested party, the castle and its grounds are currently used for isolated private events.
This article was originally published on the website of Luxembourg word.
Adaptation: Simon Martin
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