Renovation works have started on the Place Royale, an emblematic square in the heart of Brussels, known to be a busy, dangerous and pedestrian-unfriendly roundabout.
Located at the top of Mont des Arts, the Place Royale is considered to be one of the most beautiful locations in Brussels, but due to the chaotic nature of the roundabout located on the square, cars, trams and buses whizz around it randomly, posing a danger to pedestrians, many of whom change their luck to view the central statue of Godfrey of Bouillon.
To improve the situation here, it is being redesigned. Traffic will be directed to one side of the square, freeing up more space for pedestrians, and better highlighting its heritage.
Works on the first phase – between the rue du Hofberg and rue Royale – will start on Tuesday 5 March, Beliris confirmed. Currently, only 20% of Place Royale is reserved for pedestrians, while 80% is dedicated to motorised traffic, but by the end of the works, 85% of the emblematic square will be car-free.
Phased works
As part of the renovation, the current "roundabout principle" will be replaced by a T-formed junction by Rue de la Régence, Rue Royale and Rue Montagne de la Cour heading to Mont des Arts, with a secondary connection to rue de Namur.
All traffic (cars, buses and trams) will be concentrated into a two-way lane north of the statue, on the Coudenberg and Mont des Arts side, which will be demarcated by bollards. The rest of the square will become pedestrianised. The Bouillon monument will be located entirely within the pedestrian zone, making it possible to easily walk right up to the statue.
Around the base of the statue and opposite the Musical Instrument Museum and the Magritte Museum, benches in bluestone will be constructed, reusing the original material on the square.
Credit: Beliris - SM SWECO | West 8 | Cerau - ACT Lighting Design / Studio d’Urbanisme Jean-Pierre Majot
In total, the work will take about two and a half years. Depending on the permits to be obtained, the works will be divided into about seven phases to keep the square accessible at all times. "Traffic and pedestrians will always be directed around the closed work zone," Beliris noted. Only rue de Namur will be temporarily diverted when the area in front of it is rebuilt, as the ground will need to harden.
The total budget for the reconstruction project was originally estimated at around €5 million but the budget has since increased by €1.31 million.
