The New Fire Tower

The story of the NEW Brandtoren!!
Although the outdoor park and its tower have only existed since 2008, they nevertheless have a special and rich history. This story dates back to 1930, when the nature reserve where the tower stands was first developed. This area, known as the ‘Peelse Heide’, was at the time a rugged landscape, consisting partly of heathland (hence the name). Partly out of a need for timber production in the mining industry, a woodland area was planted. This woodland consists mainly of pine trees, which, due to their long grain, are extremely suitable for constructing mine shafts. Furthermore, pine wood has the property of creaking before it breaks, which was also highly valuable in the mine. However, pine wood also has a major drawback: ‘It is extremely flammable’.

In 1933, a house and a tower were built on Burgemeester Willekenslaan. This fire tower was used to keep an eye on the woodland area for fires and to alert the fire brigade in good time in the event of an emergency. The house, known as the ‘fire watcher’s cottage’, became the residence of the municipal foreman who oversaw the afforestation programme.

This first tower, made of wood, did not last very long. Ironically, this tower burnt down. Later, a metal tower was rebuilt, which is still known today as ‘De Oude Brandtoren’. Over the years, partly due to the development of better communication technology, the original fire tower lost its function and was demolished. The ‘fire-watcher’s cottage’ remained, and still stands there to this day. It has now been converted into a tavern, where you can enjoy a bite to eat and a drink in true Burgundian style.

Many years later, the forest also began to serve a recreational purpose. Walking and cycling were popular activities in the nature reserve. That is why a number of keen enthusiasts began organising workshops on ‘Nordic walking’, which involves walking with poles. This idea grew into an event known as the ‘Mega Outdoor Day’. Here, visitors could experience a wide range of outdoor-related activities. Following the huge success of this event, two of those same enthusiasts began making plans for more outdoor activities in the area. This led to the idea for a new tower, ‘De Nieuwe Brandtoren’. This was intended as a way of ‘restoring’ cultural heritage and breathing new life into the well-known concept, this time for recreational purposes.

The newly built 26-metre-high tower is not only a recreational facility but also an icon in its own right. Thanks to its unique appearance, consisting of six blocks stacked on top of one another, it has already attracted the attention of both domestic and international media and was showcased at Dutch Design Week.

A unique tower, a unique silhouette, a unique purpose and a unique story. It stands proudly above the trees, waiting for visitors to dare to brave the heights and come and admire the magnificent view.