The municipality of Steinfort is undergoing major changes. Numerous real estate projects are being developed in this dynamic and attractive border community.

The municipality of Steinfort, which is located on the Belgian border and directly adjacent to Arlon to the west, has no shortage of ambitions. "Our municipality has four entities, including Steinfort, Hagen, Kleinbettingen and Grass, and we are growing rapidly. We have passed the 5,000 inhabitant mark and this will increase in the next few years due to the many ongoing and future building projects", summarises Mayor Jean-Marie Wirth.

With its unspoilt natural environment, Steinfort is FairTrade certified and attracts new residents for the quality of life it can offer. It's like being in the country, but with all the facilities of the city. Our location is ideal, in the immediate vicinity of the main roads," says the mayor. The motorway allows you to reach Luxembourg City in barely twenty minutes, outside of rush hour of course. The north and south of the country are just as easily accessible via Mersch and Dippach. For those who prefer to travel by train, Kleinbettingen station is a popular point for both Luxembourgers and Belgians. In addition, the 222 bus line connects Steinfort with Luxembourg City and Kirchberg at a very regular pace throughout the day.

Hundreds of new homes in the pipeline

As far as housing is concerned, the construction machine is underway and is not ready to stop, with some very large projects on the schedule. It starts with the Aischzenter project on the Luxembourg road. "About 400 homes are planned in the heart of the village of Steinfort, with 29 residential and/or mixed-use buildings (shops, offices), as well as single-family homes," explains Jean-Marie Wirth. In the Rue de Kleinbettingen, the "Op Eechelter" project will be built with around 200 homes.

In Hagen, the municipality has taken the lead in developing a special development plan (PAP), known as "Kräizheck". It concerns a structure of about fifty dwellings, near the cemetery. Finally, on the site of the former campsite, some 250 housing units will be created in the coming years. "Alongside these large PAPs, there are other smaller ones. In all cases, we want to guarantee a high percentage of social housing. Some of them were recently inaugurated. We are also looking after the future of our young people. We have a housing project entirely for them. They will be able to enjoy a house at a low price, on the basis of a long lease for 99 years.

A new business park

Economically speaking, the municipality of Steinfort attracts numerous small and medium-sized companies looking for a privileged location. "Steinfort is the first site of the Syndicate "Zone d'Activités Economiques à caractère régional dans la Région de l'Ouest du Pays" (ZARO), created by the municipalities of Garnich, Hobscheid, Kehlen, Koerich, Mamer and Steinfort. We have created a business park in Graas, along the motorway, with a total area of 28 hectares, of which 17.3 hectares will be made available to companies wishing to set up there. In this business park, a project that is unprecedented in Luxembourg is taking shape. This is the development of a Parkhaus with a total capacity of 300 places. If mobility is a national problem, we wanted to do our bit," adds Jean-Marie Wirth. Everyone knows that decentralised business parks are all confronted with a parking problem. We have received the support of the Ministry of the Economy in this project, which could give ideas to others. For us, the aim is to make parking spaces available to the companies located on the zone, in the form of purchase or rental. But there will also be spaces for commuters, with shuttle buses to Kleinbettingen station, which is about 2 kilometres away. For those who wish to make the journey by bike, an mBox will be installed.

An eclectic social and cultural offer

Steinfort is regarded as the gateway to the beautiful Eisch Valley, where visitors can experience the charm and peace of the majestic forests.

At present, the municipality has a local commercial offer and the current development projects will allow trade to develop. Among the main infrastructures, the "Roudemer" sports and recreation centre, with its water feature, the indoor swimming pool, the Al Schmelz cultural complex, and the "A Backent" sports centre are all planned to be located on a single site. This project, which should take shape behind the "Aischzenter" site, will bring together a new regional swimming pool, a football stadium, tennis and beach volleyball courts, etc.

Steinfort also has its own inter-municipal hospital, which is now specialised in geriatric rehabilitation, with a nursing home, a day home and a day hospital. A preliminary project is underway to make the structure more modern and larger. In addition to all these attractions, there is also a rich and varied cultural offer around the Schmelz Kultur programme, which brings together a wide variety of events: theatre, cabarets, songs, concerts, readings, etc. The "Owesmart", the "Dag um Weier" and the Christmas market are activities in the Steinfort municipality which attract thousands of people every year... Enough to keep the population busy throughout the year with a wide range of events.

Article published in atHome Magazine - April 2017