Originally constructed around 180 years ago as an administrative building for customs, Café Waldhaff later became a well-known café and restaurant. However, it has now been eight years since the establishment closed its doors.
Although the ownership has since changed hands, the building itself has seen no progress, and it will likely be some time before new life returns to the restaurant.
Since 2023, the building and the surrounding land have belonged to the municipality of Niederanven. Previously, the state owned the property, but a land swap saw the former café-restaurant exchanged for another plot, which has since become the site of the new police station.
As Mayor Fred Ternes explains, before food and drink can once again be served at Café Waldhaff, the building must first undergo significant renovations.
One key issue is the addition of a lift, which would make the building accessible for everyone across its three levels, he says. Another is at the rear of the building, where the external lines are irregular and need to be straightened for energy-efficiency reasons.
However, these two changes are currently not permitted in a green zone.
A forthcoming legislative change is expected to address this situation. The new law would allow municipalities to reclassify constructions that are at least 20 years old and currently located in green zones, making it possible to carry out partial renovations.
While an initial draft of this law was introduced in mid-2023, the Council of State issued a formal opposition earlier this year, citing a lack of clarity around which modifications would be permitted.
It remains unclear when a revised version will be presented.
One person particularly frustrated by the ongoing delays is the well-known chef Tony Tintinger, who lives in Niederanven.
Tintinger, who has fond memories of dining at Café Waldhaff, and even served as an adviser during renovation works in the 1980s, believes the government should take action without further delay.
In his view, the various ministers responsible for mobility, public works, the environment, and home affairs should work together to break the deadlock. He warns that if the process drags on for yet another year due to further Council of State reviews and amendments, this could mean an additional five or six years of waiting before any progress is made.
Tintinger suggests that, as things stand, the local authority is unable to move forward because ministerial action is lacking, specifically naming Environment Minister Serge Wilmes as a source of frustration.
By contrast, Mayor Fred Ternes takes a more measured approach, noting that while delays are not uncommon in Luxembourg, both ministers and municipalities are bound by existing legislation, which must be followed.
At present, the municipality is not yet seeking a new operator for the future restaurant. That search will only begin once renovation works – expected to cost between €4 and €5 million – are underway.
Mayor Ternes explains that recruiting an operator at this stage would only risk conflicts arising before the building is ready. For now, the focus must be on securing project approval and overcoming current obstacles.
Only once work has commenced will it make sense to involve an operator, so their needs can be reflected in the interior design. The mayor also stresses the importance of giving the future operator certainty that they will be able to open the site within two years.
Although the municipality regularly receives enquiries from potential operators, it is not yet able to offer any concrete prospects.
Looking further ahead, Tony Tintinger urges the municipality to ensure that future rents remain affordable. He emphasises that Café Waldhaff should once again become a place where people from all walks of life can gather, just as it was in the past.
