Citroën building sold to Brussels-Capital Region

After months of discussions, the Brussels-Capital Region and French car manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroën have agreed on the terms of sale for the Region’s purchase of the historic Citroën building at Place de l’Yser, where the Brussels government intends to house a new contemporary art museum, report Belgian media.

The agreement also provides for a real estate project at the site, and maintains a certain level of commercial activity by the PSA group in the Canal Zone.

Brussels minister-president Rudi Vervoort in 2013 expressed his desire for a modern art museum in the city. According to the coalition agreement in 2014, it was determined that the project should be realized in the Canal Zone. According to Vervoort, the museum could attract half a million visitors per year, further adding to Brussels’ appeal as a tourist destination.

"After several months of discussions with the PSA group, I can now confirm that the former Citroën garage at Place de l’Yser is the location for the new museum of modern and contemporary art,” Vervoort announced. "The Region can finally start the study for the restructuring of the site and take the necessary steps for the creation of the museum."