The Buildings Authority has issued a tender to renovate the Porte de Hal, the historical building and museum located in Saint Gilles.
Works will begin in autumn and conclude at the end of 2025, focusing on the replacement of roof tiles and the restoration of external wooden features. The building will remain open to visitors during this time.
The Authority deemed renovations essential to address stability issues, leakages and visitor safety. Tiles have detached from the roof and woodwork is in poor condition.
"I am determined to preserve the integrity of Porte de Hal to ensure its survival as a jewel of Belgium's heritage," said Mathieu Michel (MR), State Secretary of the Buildings Authority. "These works reflect our commitment to preserving our common history."
Contractors have until 18 March to submit their interest in the project.
Inside the Porte de Hal tower. Credit: Regie de Batiments
The Porte de Hal is part of the Royal Museums of Art and History (KMKG) and houses a collection of medieval artefacts. Built between 1381 and 1383, and renovated the museum constitutes one of the last remnants of the walls that surrounded the city of Brussels.
The building has also served as a prison and archive in the past, and now, its future may contain something more commercial. The Brussels-Capital Region issued a separate call for ideas in August, asking citizens and civil society how they think the site should be "revived".
The call, which concluded on 1 September 2023, did not exclude "(partial) commercial exploitation," and invited public authorities and private entrepreneurs to turn part of the building into accommodation (such as a hotel), a café, a restaurant or offices.
