Rive Gauche breathes new life into Charleroi

Charleroi is celebrating the opening of its long-awaited Rive Gauche shopping centre. The 10-year project is at the heart of a major urban regeneration project.

Comprising 90 shops, a four-star hotel to open in the summer, restaurants, apartments and underground parking, the 39,000m2 mall has been integrated
into the urban fabric.

It has seven entrances, bay windows and skylights, and incorporates the listed Neoclassic Passage de la Bourse.

Olivier Callebaut from architect firm DDS Architects said the aim was to be in dialogue with the town: “The idea was not to mimic the surrounding architecture. We used various materials: local brick, metal, copper and aluminium,” he said.

www.charleroirivegauche.info