What is it about?
The Bourse (Stock Exchange) has become a central meeting point, in addition to its cultural and tourism vocation (with a rooftop/sky bar, restaurant, brasserie, access to the archaeological site 'Bruxella 1238', a venue dedicated to the Belgian beer culture: 'Belgian Beer World').
The Place de la Bourse recently underwent a full renovation as part of the redevelopment of the city centre boulevards. The redevelopment of Rue de la Bourse, Rue Henri Maus and the link between Rue du Midi and Rue de Tabora behind the building are the logical next steps.
The project involves redeveloping these sites, which are currently in a poor state of repair. The redevelopment is an opportunity to improve the overall quality and reinforce its significance in the city. The new layout reflects the desire of the City of Brussels to extend the pedestrian zone in the city centre.
The project will strengthen the links between the public space and the built environment, with continuous development from façade to façade. The area will be clearer and safer, with pedestrians given priority, in line with the traffic management measures adopted by the City Council.
The redevelopment of public space will also have the effect of enhancing the buildings around Place de la Bourse, the boulevards and squares and the lower part of the city in general. Today, Place de la Bourse is already an urban theatre, with its wide gallery formed by the Stock Exchange stairs. In addition, bringing the archaeological site in Rue de la Bourse up to ground level will once again provide easy access along the side of the Stock Exchange building.
The entire area around the Stock Exchange will be covered in bluestone. In this way, Place de la Bourse will be perfectly integrated into the rest of the pedestrian zone, becoming an integral part of it. The landscaping will be almost at the same level and will improve pedestrian safety.
A contextual approach and an analysis of urban usage led to the proposal to plant two solitary trees in strategic locations: one at the front and a second at the back of the Stock Exchange building.
Large benches have been provided to encourage and improve the use of public space by everyone.
The redevelopment works began in October 2023.
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What purpose?
- Providing a network of calming public spaces by directing all types of parking to off-street car parks, in order to meet the needs of residents and visitors in terms of green spaces, tranquillity, high quality and events
- Coherent development of public spaces to highlight their heritage quality
- Ensuring accessibility to all transport methods for people with reduced mobility
- Ensuring peaceful coexistence between the various active mobility methods, particularly within the Pentagon
- Extending areas with limited or no access for motorised vehicles
