The central post office in Liège was a sad sight for 20 years. Known as La Grande Poste, the Neo-Gothic building was completed at a time when Liège was one of the world’s great industrial cities. But the city went into steep decline in the 1970s when its steel works and coal mines shut down. And the 1901 post office was eventually abandoned.
But Liège has changed. The city is now taking off as a centre for innovative technology and ambitious urban plans. The latest project is the restoration of the old post office on the Meuse waterfront.
The building reopened in 2021 as a coworking space aimed at young innovative startups. Meanwhile, the ground floor has become the setting for a food hall and craft brewery. You can pick up street food at one of seven stands or head up to the rooftop terrace for a beer. And if you think you might want to launch a company here, you can book a guided tour of the building.
Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.
