Step through the iron gates of Villa Saporis and enter a world where 1907 architectural grandeur meets contemporary Belgian comfort. Morning light filters through original Art Nouveau stained glass, casting colored patterns across marble floors as you descend the monumental exterior staircase. The scent of coffee drifts from the industrial kitchen while the heated swimming pond steams gently in the private garden behind this 760-square-meter masterpiece, impossibly nestled just 500 meters from Hasselt's bustling Grote Markt.
This exceptional 10-bedroom villa represents a rare convergence of location, scale, and versatility in Belgium's capital of taste. Currently operating as a boutique hotel, the property offers international buyers an immediate income-generating asset while providing the flexibility to transform spaces into a grand family residence, professional offices, or a hybrid live-work environment that maximizes this prime city-center position. The presence of 10 private parking spaces solves one of urban Belgium's greatest challenges, adding substantial value in a district where most residents navigate narrow streets searching for spots.
Hasselt reveals itself as Flanders' hidden gem for vacation property investment. As the provincial capital of Limburg, this city of 80,000 combines sophisticated urban amenities with surprising tranquility, offering international owners a central Belgian base without Brussels' intensity or Bruges' tourist crowds. The city earned its reputation as the genever capital of the world, with the National Jenever Museum just minutes away showcasing Belgium's juniper-flavored heritage. Each autumn, the Hasselt Jenever Festival transforms the historic center into a celebration of local distilling traditions, while weekly Thursday markets fill surrounding streets with regional produce, artisan cheeses, and Limburg specialties.
The Japanese Garden, Belgium's largest and most authentic, spreads across 2.5 hectares just two kilometers from the property, offering seasonal cherry blossom displays in spring and autumn color transformations that rival Kyoto. City Park provides immediate green space for morning runs or evening strolls, while the surrounding Limburg countryside unfolds into cycling paradise along the region's extensive network of knooppunt routes connecting through orchards, nature reserves, and medieval villages. Herkenrode Abbey, four kilometers distant, anchors the region's cultural heritage with its preserved Cistercian architecture and the spectacular relocated stained glass now housed in Hasselt's cathedral.
The villa's interior architecture commands attention from the entrance hall. Two marble fireplaces anchor the main lounge, their original hearths radiating warmth during Belgium's misty autumn and winter months. Ornate glass-inlaid double doors connect reception spaces, while the authentic wooden staircase curves upward through three full floors, its bannister worn smooth by over a century of hands. Each of the 10 bedrooms carries individual character, ranging from compact 15-square-meter rooms perfect for guests or staff to the commanding 58-square-meter suite on the first floor that spans the building's width. The second-floor suite, at 35 square meters, offers potential owners a private retreat above the main living areas, while the four modern 19-square-meter rooms provide turnkey rental units or guest accommodations.
The fully excavated basement reveals the property's investment-grade infrastructure. Climate control systems maintain consistent temperatures throughout 760 square meters of interior space, while the industrial kitchen meets commercial standards for continued hotel operation or ambitious private entertaining. Direct garage access from the street facilitates deliveries, grocery unloading, or discrete arrivals, a feature that elevates daily convenience substantially. Solar panels reduce ongoing energy costs, while the electric car charging station positions the property for Belgium's accelerating transition to sustainable transport.
Outdoor space distinguishes Villa Saporis from typical urban properties. The 1,022-square-meter plot extends behind the villa into an unexpectedly private garden where the natural swimming pond creates a resort atmosphere within city limits. Summer terrace areas capture southern exposure, ideal for morning coffee service or evening aperitifs overlooking water that remains swimmable from May through September without chemical treatment. This outdoor room transforms the property's appeal, offering seasonal use that extends living space substantially during Belgium's temperate summers.
Hasselt's strategic position enhances investment logic considerably. Brussels lies 75 kilometers west along the E314, reachable in 55 minutes, placing the property within commuting range of European Union institutions and Belgium's international business community. Maastricht sits 40 kilometers east, connecting owners to the Netherlands' sophisticated dining and shopping scene. Liège, Antwerp, and Eindhoven all fall within 60-kilometer radii, positioning Hasselt as a central hub for exploring Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany's border regions. Brussels Airport and Liège Airport both serve the area, with Brussels offering intercontinental connections to North American and Asian destinations.
The property's current hotel operation provides documented rental income and established systems that new owners can maintain, modify, or discontinue based on objectives. Belgium's short-term rental market remains robust in secondary cities where hotel inventory cannot meet demand from business travelers, family tourists, and cycling enthusiasts exploring Limburg's trails. Alternatively, the villa's scale and layout accommodate multi-generational family use, with sufficient bedrooms for adult children, visiting relatives, and household staff while maintaining private zones. Professional conversion would suit legal practices, consulting firms, or medical specialists seeking representative space near the courthouse, which sits within walking distance.
Belgium's property ownership structure welcomes international buyers, with no restrictions on foreign ownership and straightforward notarial procedures that typically complete within 12-16 weeks. Transfer taxes in Flanders currently stand at six percent for primary residences, though investors should consult Belgian tax advisors regarding optimal ownership structures. The property's good condition status indicates move-in readiness, though ambitious owners might envision updated kitchen facilities, bathroom modernizations, or restored period details that would elevate the villa to exceptional status.
Hasselt's cultural calendar extends beyond jenever festivals. The biennial Pukkelpop music festival, held just outside the city, attracts 180,000 visitors over three August days, filling hotels and generating substantial rental demand. Fashion Museum Hasselt celebrates Belgian design innovation, while the city's compact center supports year-round restaurant and cafe culture along pedestrian streets where locals gather for afternoon coffee and evening drinks. Sundays bring families to nearby Bokrijk Open Air Museum, where 130 historic buildings recreate Flemish village life across centuries.
Climate considerations favor year-round use. Hasselt experiences Belgium's characteristic maritime-influenced weather: mild winters averaging 3-5 degrees Celsius, pleasant springs with April cherry blossoms, summers reaching 22-25 degrees, and colorful autumns when surrounding forests transform into gold and amber. Rainfall distributes evenly across seasons, though summer thunderstorms provide dramatic afternoon breaks between sunny stretches ideal for outdoor swimming and garden relaxation.
Key Property Features: Ten ensuite bedrooms spanning 15-58 square meters each, two marble fireplaces with working hearths, original Art Deco and Art Nouveau architectural details, 760 square meters of interior space across four levels including full basement, natural swimming pond requiring no chemical maintenance, ten private parking spaces in city-center location, solar panel installation reducing energy costs, electric vehicle charging station, climate control throughout all floors, commercial-grade industrial kitchen with separate storage, integrated garage with direct street access, 1,022-square-meter plot with private garden, wooden window frames with double glazing, flood risk score P-A and G-A indicating no flood concerns, current hotel operation providing documented income model, 500 meters from Grote Markt and Hasselt's central shopping district.
Villa Saporis offers international buyers something increasingly rare: substantial scale in a genuine European city center, surrounded by authentic Belgian life rather than tourist infrastructure. Whether you envision summer weeks swimming in your private pond while exploring Limburg by bicycle, winter weekends warming by marble fireplaces after Christmas market visits, or a income-generating asset that appreciates while you decide its ultimate use, this property delivers flexibility that few European holdings can match. The combination of immediate usability, documented rental history, and transformation potential creates multiple pathways to ownership satisfaction. Contact Homestra today to arrange your private viewing and experience how this 1907 architectural achievement continues creating new stories for those who recognize its exceptional position in Belgium's vacation property landscape.
