After 40 years of being hidden behind a cage of scaffolding, Brussels' Palais de Justice will once again be laid bare and its façades renovated. The renovation won't stop there though, as plans to refurbish the interior are also now underway.
At the end of this summer, over 40 years since the scaffolding first went up, the Palais de Justice restoration works will finally begin on both the exterior and interior of this monumental courthouse, visible from almost every location in the capital.
Since April last year, visitors have been able to marvel at the protected monument's stunning architecture and imposing grand hall, which is over 100 metres high when including the dome structure. While the interior is impressive, it clearly requires a refurbishment as it has been plagued by mould and damp.
Plans are now underway to restore the courthouse to its former glory and make it more sustainable, State Secretary for the Buildings Agency (Régie des Bâtiments), Mathieu Michel, confirmed at a conference on Tuesday morning.
Credit: The Brussels Times / Lauren Walker
"The Palais de Justice is a symbol of our country, on the outside but also on the inside, which requires a thorough restoration. I am happy to announce today that, after a complete restoration of the façades by 2024, will take down the first scaffolding on the façade facing the Place Poelaert and will initiate the restoration of the Palais de Justice's interior," Michel said.
21st-century justice system
While the general works were approved by the Council of Ministers in 2016, a vision for the renovation was missing. On Tuesday, the Poelaert Foundation and the Arts District associations presented the results of studies they had carried out to enable the restoration, presenting a more succinct idea for the building's future.
The building will also be adapted to fit the needs of a modern justice system, bringing the entire correctional chain to one location. "Currently, this system is fragmented, with various institutions spread across the city. Once the works are finished, the Palais will provide one place for all elements of the justice system," Michel's spokesperson Koen Peumans told The Brussels Times.
A feasibility study will be carried out in 2024, which will analyse the current state of the building, its historical worth and develop proposals focusing mainly on the technical aspects of the renovation, such as the materials used, sewerage and safety. The study will also identify the needs of the building's users and this will be followed by the launch of a public contract.
The feasibility study will give more insight into the costs and renovation schedule of the interior. However, Michel noted that the aim is to finalise the renovations by 2040 and estimates the cost to be between €100 million and €300 million. The works themselves will be carried out in several phases so the courthouse can remain operational at all times.
