Centre Monnaie to transform into mixed-use space with hotel and flats

Development plans for the complete renovation of the Centre Monnaie building in downtown Brussels are open for public scrutiny as of Wednesday. The project includes a new hotel with more than 300 rooms, 120 new apartments, a total renovation of existing office space and bicycle parking.

The landmark office building, constructed in the late 1960s, was sold by owners Bpost and Brussels-City to the Whitewood investment firm a couple of years ago. It currently serves as Bpost headquarters and houses some Brussels-City staff.

Bpost will move out this year, as Whitewood will work with development firms on transforming the building into a more diverse space known as Cityzen. The project is now at the public debate step, where anyone can review the plans and provide feedback to the city.

The 65,000 square-metre office complex is located above The Mint shopping centre, which itself was renovated a few years ago. One floor below that is the De Brouckère metro station.

An architectural competition to transform the current office building into a new mixed-use living, hotel and working space was won by Binst Architects of Antwerp, in collaboration with Norwegian firm Snohetta. “The winning design distinguishes itself through respect for the architectural value of the existing building and its integration into the urban context,” says Binst on its website.

Besides developing hotel rooms and flats in the building, gardens will be created on the multi-tiered structure, and skylights will bring natural lighting into much of the space below. The exterior will be transformed to allow more windows, while keeping the original cross-shape design.

Photos courtesy SHL Architects