Kasteel Meerwijk transitions from luxury brothel to closed asylum center

Kasteel Meerwijk in Brabant has a diverse and controversial history, transitioning from an organ factory and shipyard in the 19th century to a luxury brothel in the late 1970s. Following its period as a high-end establishment, the estate was purchased in 2006 by Timo Bosma for use as a wedding venue, but it was declared bankrupt in 2020.

After being auctioned by ING in 2022, the castle was acquired by Wendy van der Valk and Frans Heesen for approximately €3.2 million. The new owners repurposed the site as an emergency shelter for asylum seekers. However, the facility faced significant challenges, including reports of a rat infestation and poor hygienic conditions, leading to the closure of the shelter last year.