Squatters take over former postal offices near Flagey

Squatters have taken over the former Bpost office building located at the corner of Rue du Belvédère and Chaussée de Boondael, down the street from Flagey. The former postal administrative centre has been empty for about a year.

Real estate magnate Dominque Janne, who owns about 40 properties in the Flagey area, bought the building of nearly 6,000 square metres last year. He has never said what he intends to do with it, but it has remained empty since postal service workers moved out.

According to the Brussels-Ixelles police zone, five people are living on the first floor. Police have checked to assess the situation and found that the occupants were not causing any trouble. The building is also in a good enough state so that they are not in any danger.

The squatters broke into the building and replaced the lock on the front entryway. They have been living there for a few weeks now, said the police zone, and have hotplates for cooking.

Squatting is technically a criminal offence in Belgium, but the owner must take action to have the occupants evicted. It appears that Janne has not done so.

Photo courtesy Google