€4.3 million facelift for Sainte-Catherine facade

The north facade of Brussels' Sainte-Catherine church will undergo a major restoration next year, at an estimated cost of €4.3 million.

The side of the church facing the Fish Market has long been in need of a clean-up, as the masonry has been blackened by years of pollution.

The restoration will cover the stonework, doors and stained glass - as well as the gardens that run alongside the building.

The public urinals on the side of the building will remain and the pavement that runs alongside the north facade will be widened.

Federal public works body Beliris estimates that the works will begin next year and could last two years.

The church's west facade, with its entrance overlooking Place Sainte-Catherine, was recently given a facelift.

Because of the costs involved, there are no current plans to restore the building's other two facades, which are seen by fewer passers-by.