1. Completed projects
Public space - Utilities
This project marked the first phase in the development of the future public spaces of the Usquare.brussels site, facilitating site preparations for the work to come (housing, facilities, shared services...). Here is where the essential infrastructures for integrated storm water management, wastewater drainage, a district heating system that runs on geothermal power (with funding from the European Regional Development Fund - ERDF), and the utility (water, gas, electricity, telecom) networks were built.
- Contracting authority: SAU
- Contractors: COLAS/EQUANS and VEOLIA
- Completed in October 2024
University buildings and food hall
This scheme encompassed the renovation, restoration and transformation of buildings A, B, C and the former riding school, including the creation of two new public access routes to the site. Situated along boulevard Général Jacques, buildings A, B and C will henceforth house academic activities (the House of the European University Alliances, the research centre for urban and socio-environmental transformations, an OpenLab for participatory research combining academic and citizen expertise…). The gendarmerie’s former riding school will be converted into a place that celebrates sustainable food and should become one of the quarter’s great amenities. The conversion of these buildings has received funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
- Contracting authority: ULB-VUB (buildings A, B, C and access) + SAU (building M)
- Contractor: BPC
- Completed in May 2024
Asbestos removal
This project involved the complete removal of asbestos from all the buildings at the site. It was phased to minimise any nuisance to the temporary project See U, in particular during the 2022 summer season.
- Contracting authority: Beliris
- Contractor: De Meuter
- Completed in March 2023
Demolitions
Buildings X, W, Z, O6 and the ASTRID mast had to be demolished to make way for the site’s future public spaces. The place where buildings X, W and Z once stood will be turned into a public garden. Building O6, on the other hand, will become a new access route to the site, via rue Juliette Wytsman.
- Contracting authority: SAU
- Completed in October 2022
Soil remediation
When the site was purchased, all the relevant studies were carried out to assess the extent of the soil contamination. The clean-up of the few pockets where old heating-oil tanks were found has been completed.
- Contracting authority: Beliris
- Contractor: De Meuter
- Completed in March 2021
2. Ongoing building projects
Development of the public spaces
SAU is currently working on the redevelopment of the public space near the university centre, which has been operational since September 2024. This project involves the refurbishment of the former courtyard into a new multi-purpose public space, complete with a canopy of trees.
- Contracting authority: SAU
- Contractor: COLAS
- Contact number in the event of an incident:
- Due to be completed during the summer of 2025
Repurposing of the “clos des mariés”
BinHôme contracted SLRB to completely convert the buildings formerly known as the barracks’ “Clos des mariés” (buildings S, T, U and V). Once the work will have been completed, 31 new social housing units will come on steam, which will be managed by the Public Service Real Estate Company (SISP) BinHôme.
- Contracting authority: SLRB
- Contractor: Louis de Waele
- Contact number in the event of an incident:
- Due to be completed in the course of 2027
3. Provisional planning for the next stage in the quarter’s development
Student accommodation - Contracting authority: SAU
- Architecture competition: in progress
- Design study and submission of the planning application: 2025 and 2026
- Planning permission expected to come through: 2027
- Duration of the works: 30 to 36 months
- Commissioning: September 2029
The House of Autism - Contracting authority: SAU
- Architecture competition: in progress
- Design study and submission of the planning application: 2025 and 2026
- Planning permission expected to come through: 2027
- Duration of the works: 18 to 24 months
- Commissioning: early 2029
University centre dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship (Ecopole) - Contracting authority: ULB/VUB
The universities already carried out extensive renovations in 2018 which resulted in the creation of an interuniversity (ULB/VUB) FabLab. The 2nd phase of the renovations has yet to get underway (property still in use) and will focus on improving the BER rating:
- Design study and submission of the planning application: 2025 and 2026
- Planning permission expected to come through: 2027
- Commissioning: September 2029
The other family housing units - Contracting authority: SLRB and citydev
- Design study and submission of the planning application: between 2026 and 2028, depending on the areas
- Duration of the works: from 2028 until 2031, depending on the areas
- Commissioning: between 2030 and 2031, depending on the areas
Shared services - Contracting authority: SAU The ground floor of building E and buildings J and K will roll out a programme that caters for the needs of the quarter. The work to accommodate these shared services will be timed in such a way that the services will be available when the new users (residents, visitors...) arrive.