What is it about?
The North Quarter is undergoing a major transformation, marked by numerous renovation and urban planning projects. This development is attracting significant private and public investment. Housing is being built along the canal, office complexes are being renovated, major facilities are being created, and parks and public spaces are being developed, bringing many new residents to the area.
Currently located on Avenue de la Reine, the Brussels Capitale Ixelles police station will soon be moving to the future Rue De Ligne police station in the city centre of Brussels. The empty buildings will be renovated to accommodate new functions.
The project consists of three parts:
Housing (Palais building)
The main building of the former police station is ideally suited to a housing scheme, subject to certain alterations to the floor plan (roof extension) and extension into the neighbouring empty plot. La Régie Foncière de la Ville de Bruxelles is planning to build sixty homes on the site. A range of housing types will be on offer, from studio apartments to 4-bedroom flats, which will appeal to a variety of households.
Equipment (Factory building)
This now-vacant characterful building, representative of the district's industrial past, will become a new urban catalyst. Boasting a strong identity, its flexible general spaces will host socio-economic undertakings. The plan is to create a courtyard giving access to the various spaces on the ground floor and offering a wider view of the site. The courtyard, planted partially with trees, will run the length of the building. The roof terrace will be accessible to all.
Within the block - outside space
The project includes a new shared space with a communal garden and an edible garden. The communal garden will be planted with tall trees, which will eventually form a canopy, offering optimal thermal control in an urban environment. The edible garden will include a greenhouse-workshop. This will provide a place for all co-owners to meet and share gardening know-how.
What purpose?
This project meets the following ambitions and objectives:
- To strengthen the social mix by increasing supply of affordable housing for all and developing provision of local amenities and shops to meet the needs of future residents
- To prioritise the re-concentration of the city's facilities and services within multi-purpose, shared neighbourhood facilities hubs
- To implement pilot projects to reduce soil sealing and make inner city blocks greener
- To mobilise and equip municipal properties with urban agricultural facilities (vegetable gardens/greenhouses/chicken coops)
- To encourage continued productive activities within mixed-use blocks
- To address the lack of public facilities
- To encourage the reuse of materials within the construction sector
