© Ryck Thill / RTL
Vinsmoselle is selling its historic wine cellar in Greiveldange to the municipality of Stadtbredimus, prompting concern among current tenants about their future.
The Vinsmoselle winegrowers' cooperative is selling two of its historic properties. One of them, the Côte du Sud in Remerschen, has already been purchased by the Luxembourg state to create affordable housing. The second, the cooperative wine cellar in Greiveldange, is also up for sale.
Wine was produced in the Greiveldange cellar from 1930 until 1993. Since then, the building has been used mainly for storing crémant. In recent years, it has been rented out.
According to André Mehlen, General Director of Vinsmoselle, managing historic buildings simply does not fit within the company's remit. He explained that their main activity is to process grapes into wine and crémant, not to act as a property manager. Buildings like this one, he said, require significant upkeep, and that sort of maintenance is not something the cooperative is equipped or intended to handle. For that reason, they have decided to sell the cellar.
The search for a buyer had been ongoing for some time and, in the end, the only official offer came from the municipality of Stadtbredimus.
Mayor Robi Beissel pointed out that the cellar is a nationally protected historic site, stressing that local authorities have a responsibility to preserve and promote such sites. He emphasised that public bodies should lead by example in heritage conservation. He also noted that the property includes a parking area, which will help the municipality respond to increasing demand for parking in the area.
At present, the building houses four tenants: three craft or small businesses and one private individual. With the sale progressing, some of them are now worried about what the future holds.
Andreas Dostert, who runs a garage for agricultural machinery, said his business had invested heavily in the site. He expects to receive a notice of termination with standard notice terms, but said the uncertainty about what happens next is troubling. For a specialist business like his, he said, finding new premises is particularly difficult, and relocation would involve major costs.
Peter Böhm, a carpenter, expressed frustration with the lack of communication. However, he hopes that, since the buyer is the municipality itself, the importance of local tradespeople's needs will be acknowledged.
A first meeting between the municipality and the building's tenants took place last Friday. However, attendees said the meeting did not offer any clarity on what will happen to the building or what redevelopment plans may exist.
Jean Kox, alderman for Stadtbredimus, responded that the municipality cannot comment on future plans until the legal deed of sale has been signed. He assured that, once ownership is official, the council will meet to develop proposals and feasibility studies for the building. The intention, he said, is to involve the tenants in the discussion as soon as possible after that.
The municipality has earmarked €2 million in its budget to fund the purchase of the building. This still needs to be formally approved, but the signing of the deed is expected to take place in the spring.
