The grounds of Castle Nottebohm consists of between 50 to 60 hectares land. On it an imposing eclectic manor house surrounded by outbuildings. From 1834 the estate was owned by the family Nottebohm, the grounds were bought by the municipality. In 1854 athe grounds were enlarged extensively by purchase. In the years 1908-1909 it became a park area with chateau and outbuildings; designed by Ferdinand Otto Nottebohm, he was married to Maria Kreglinger. The family Nottebohm was a very prominent family in Antwerp, well known for the numerous initiatives considering  healthcare.

The castle was built as a country retreat for the family Nottebohm-Kreglinger and was regularly inhabited that way until 1943. During World War II the castle was appropriated by the German army. After World War II the family came sporadic for holidays. In the 1950s the castle was rented out as a hotel and restaurant but then mostly was found empty. In the 1980s they tried to sell it, but to no avail. Years of vacancies has led to a neglected condition of the exterior and the complete disappearance of the interior.

In 1909 the construction of a series of renovations was registered in the land register. Registering was done for renovation of the imposing castle in eclectic style as well as several outbuildings in touching style. Examples of other buildings are the storehouse and the coach house northwest of the country, facing the street a model farm with stables and a caretaker's house and also some not precisely defined outbuildings.

The manor is a typical example of an early-20th-century country house in the wooded areas around the city, built as a country retreat for the wealthy families of Antwerp. This type of building was often chosen because of a picturesque, imaginative eclectic style, incorporating elements from the neo-Flemish Renaissance, the traditional brick and sandstone style, combined with a cottage style. Architect Ernest Pilgrims draw the plans for the castle. The works are performed by contractor Jean Bolsée. A similar example of the Nottebohm castle is Hortensiahof country house in Hove.

The castle has two floors in a semi underground basement and is mounted beneath a high, slate roofing, which was originally crowned by a little tower and some high brick chimneys. There is still kept a wrought iron weathervane. Red brick masonry catered imposed joints is interspersed with natural red stone layers and bricks, one of which date "ANNO 1908".


The four facades are designed varied and capricious. The main facade, oriented to the north, has a central entrance consisting of an arcade of three arches with freestanding stone columns. This portal is accessible via a wide staircase. The rear is south facing and has a spacious terrace, covered on the  westside. In the rear the is also a tower-shaped extension, balconies, loggias and imitation timber. The side walls contain a corner terrace of a two-storey bay window.


The interior of the house is completely gone. The layout is still recognizable and meets the organization of a family home from the bourgeoisie, with the important characteristic that household members are established. The owner and his family lived on the upper ground floor and first floor.

In the basement we find service areas such as kitchens, laundry rooms, storage plates and dining room for the staff; the bedrooms of the staff are located under the roof. The plan is built symmetrically around a central axis of entrance, reception areas and staircase at the rear. East and west of it an enfilade of three living rooms, each adjacent to a living room with terrace with a great view on the garden. Northwest of the mansion was erected a U-shaped outhouse in 1909 in fitting style, currently known as storageroom, but this must have been a coach house with stables.


Currently the premises are in appalling bad conditions. It is sad to see how such a wonderful piece of history is in such a bad state. In the various roofs are huge holes and this makes that the complete interior is rotten. The staircase behind the entrance is completely collapsed and makes it impossible to enter the floors. Perhaps it's  better this way because of de poor state; very dangerous to walk on. I wonder when the property will be demolished or when the self-collapse starts.