The City of Brussels has acquired the American Theatre following an agreement approved by the Flemish government on Friday 24 May. The City plans to use the property to create a cultural and community hub with links to the Flemish Community.
Just a stone's throw from the Atomium, the iconic building was once envisaged as a modern-day Coliseum and was thought to be the largest circular structure in Europe. Designed for the grand 1958 World Expo, the building was subsequently used as the television studios of Flemish broadcaster VRT but has been unoccupied since 2012, save for periods of squatting by creatives.
A 99-year lease agreement has been settled and developments on the site can now commence, starting with an assessment of the cost of the investment, which will be carried out by the end of this year.
Situated at 2, avenue du Gros Tilleul in Laeken, the American Theatre is a relic of the 1958 World Expo. Until recently, it belonged to the Belgian State under the management of the Belgian Buildings Agency. It was vacated by VRT 12 years ago due to the building's dilapidated state. It has subsequently been rented to several non-profit organisations, though only on a temporary basis.
The City of Brussels and the Flemish government have long been exploring solutions, with the Federal Government selling the building to the City of Brussels for €3.9 million. The agreement – expected to be finalised by the City Council on Monday – means that the City of Brussels will give the building on a leasehold basis to Flanders, which will once again turn the iconic building into a cultural pole.
A technical room of the former VRT television studios. Credit: Belga
