(B) Kortrijk, Tissage & filature Camille De Stoop, III

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We went back with our ladder today (people passed by when we pushed the ladder under the fence, but they ignored us), to catch the nice orange sunlight coming from the sunset (see the set of I climbed onto the roof and had a view on Kortrijk.
No spectacular adventures today ;-)
But we saw a hole in the floor in the place where we had lightpainted and jumped around in the dark on our previous visit... none of us remarked it then, and fortunately neither did we fall in...

1st visit: 2007/03/10
2nd visit: 2007/04/22

(B) Kortrijk, Tissage & filature Camille De Stoop, II

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It was already dark and we thougt it would be nice to play with our pocket-torches. We went totally crazy with the lights and had a lot of fun ;-)
I wonder what the neighbours across the street were thinking of it...

1st visit: 2007/03/10

(B) Kortrijk, Filature KTM, II

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While being in there, an alarm went off twice. We don't know what or who caused it, but we met no police or security-guards, luckily.
On the ground floor there were some rectangular holes filled with water or some kind of fluid, we had to watch our steps.

1st visit: 2007/03/18

(B) Kortrijk, Filature KTM, I

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The early 1990's are the beginning of the end of the once so flourishing cotton industry of Kortrijk. Every year more companies stop production.

The Kortrijkse Textiel Maatschappij (KTM) was a spinning mill. The comapny went bankrupt in 2001 due to the debts they had. The production went well, but the costs of machines and buildings were to big for the company.

The oldest buildings date back to 1950, and the newer halls were built in the 1970s. In their peak year during the 1980s there were 800 employees. But automation of the production was the final end.

While exploring, we heard some doors and windows slamming... it was the wind.

Info source: http://www.urbex.nl

News (Dutch):

• 2001/08/28: Textielmaatschappij legt de boeken neer
  
• 2001/08/30: "Einde van gezond bedrijf"

(B) Kortrijk, Tissage & filature Camille De Stoop, I

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This spinning mill was built in 1908 and a newer part was build in 1927. The company was founded by Camiel de Stoop.

The factory started as Tissage et Filature Camille De Stoop. Later in 1928 it became Tissage et Teinturerie Le Canal. The spinning was replaced for textile production.

The building is a classic Manchester style, it reminds you of an medieval castle. It was the first spinning mill who hadn't the classic sheddak roofs.

The last compagny in this building was Beklon Spinning Mills and some years later Belplast Delorge. They recycled plastic waste. The compagny went bankrupt in 1990 after a fire in one of the buildings.

The building got protected status in 2003 and will be transformed into lofts soon.

When we wanted to go the the first level, a very solid closed door blocked our way. After somewhat looking about, we saw the floor of the first level but could not reach it. On the ground level there was a huge door which we lifted up and put against the wall, as some kind of ladder. It was pretty steady but still not very reliable. The guys went up, I also tried but was afraid that I would slip away or wouldn't be able to go back anymore. We'll return later with a real ladder ;-)

Info Source: http://www.urbex.nl

News (Dutch):

• 2002/05/04: Nieuw leven voor oude fabrieken
  
• 2003/07/25: Industrieel erfgoed is de moeite waard
  
• 2005/05/13: Lofts in Stoops fabriek
  
• 2007/03/07: 42 lofts in Stoops fabriek