2020.01.21 - The symbolic foundation stone of the flagship project of the ‘Petite Senne’ Sustainable District Contract in Molenbeek was laid in a ceremony on Monday 20 January. The renovation of La Grande Halle, an industrial building dating from the 1920s, should revitalise the area around the Canal and the Heyvaert district.
The project, developed by the team from the ZAmpone Architectuur(*) studio, will include 4,434m² of partially covered public space for cultural, sporting or festive activities and a French-speaking crèche with a capacity of 72 children.
Restoration of cranes
A new link for pedestrians and cyclists only is to be created between Rue Heyvaert and Quai de I’Industrie.
There will also be an emphasis on restoring direct access to the Canal. The approaches to the Canal will be accessible at street level via the 2,000m² redevelopment of Quai de l’Industrie. The two cranes towering over the site, which are part of Brussels’ heritage, will be preserved and will undergo extensive restoration.
The work, costed at 7,771,000 euros, will be financed by the public authorities (the Region, Beliris, the ERDF and COCOF). It is scheduled for completion in spring 2021.
Housing and spaces for non-profit organisations
Nearby, at Quai de l'Industrie nos. 75, 77 and 79, another, smaller-scale project will also be carried out. Awarded to the Brussels architecture firm B612, it involves the creation of eight dwellings and spaces for the use of non-profits, which will hold workshops there.The work, to be funded by the Region, will cost 5,446,800 euros.
(*) ZAmpone Architectuur - L'Escaut architectures - BESP - MK Engineering
