A new environment in Valkenburg

In the heart of the hilly South Limburg region, in the municipality of Valkenburg, you will find the experience center Par’Course. Here, various buildings form a mixed-use environment, consisting of a gastronomic center in a monumental brewery, a cycling and sports center with the Shimano Experience Center, and the Mercure Hotel. Commissioned by project developer Wyckerveste, we were responsible for the urban design and the building designs.

The site of the former Leeuw brewery has a rich history dating back to 1820. The now nationally listed watermill was originally placed on the Geul river for a gunpowder factory. Years later, in 1875, the mill was used for paper production, and in 1886 a brewery was established on the site. In 2005, the brewery left: with various scars in the buildings, the site was left neglected and dilapidated.

The area has been revitalized under the name Par’Course and is based on two pillars: gastronomy and cycling. Two worlds of experience that are directly connected to cycling capital Valkenburg and the Burgundian Limburg. We created an urban development concept in which the new program would not become a single building, but a true piece of Valkenburg, complete with atmospheric streets and squares.

The brewery holds an important place in the concept of Par’Course. The building that will house future hospitality concepts is the origin of the former factory site. Between the monumental brewery and the brick halls, the building has been extended with a modern volume positioned on the concrete column heads of the removed silos.

The Experience Center is Shimano's premier location where visitors can discover cycling, fishing, and rowing sports. The building also houses a cycling apparel shop, a coaching center, a gym, and a conference room. It is the most modern building in the area and its materials match the brewery's expansion.

On the easternmost part of Par’Course you will find the Mercure Hotel. The main shape of the building is meandering, thus playing a major role in the urban design concept. The building follows the curve of the Geul river and, through its right angle, creates two squares: the main square and the hotel’s entrance square. The building features a traditional main roof shape and a warm, elegantly designed wooden façade.