Old Gesù church to become hotel and marketplace

The development firms that own the Gesù church in Saint-Josse, just across from Botanique, have requested a permit to turn the building into a hotel and marketplace. The building has not functioned as a church since 2004 and has sat empty.

While the original 19th-century gothic style church was built for the Jesuits living on the parcel of land in Saint-Josse, the familiar façade facing Rue Royale (pictured) was added on years later, with a distinctively art deco tower. Part of the 26,000 square-metre complex is owned by NV Rue Royale and part by a partnership between VDD Project Development and Redet.

The plans call for a 46-room hotel, privately owned flats, a food and non-food market with an emphasis on Belgian products, a bar, a restaurant and event space. The developers hope to get their planning permit approved by the end of the summer so that work can begin early next year.

“It’s time that something happens with this site because, sooner or later, it will become dilapidated,” said Alexandre Buyssens of Rue Royale.

Photo: A view of the front of Gesù church from Botanique
©Istvan Vizi/Wikipedia