Historic Palais du Midi in Brussels faces possible demolition due to a new metro line construction.
The 19th-century architectural marvel is under threat from the proposed Metro line 3 project. Locals, retailers, and organizations have unified, forming a group named “Notre Palais / Ons Paleis” (our Palace) to protect the historic building.
Construction chaos ignites local resistance
Ongoing construction around the Palais du Midi for the metro line has plunged the region into turmoil for several years.
During a public meeting on Friday, a resident said, “This is killing the district.”
Isabelle Marchal from the Association of Neighbourhood Committees, Inter-Environment Brussels, emphasized the residents’ growing frustration, citing four years of living amidst “dust and filth.”
The Palais du Midi serves as the socio-cultural and economic heart of the Stalingrad-Lemonnier district. It houses 35 businesses, 37 sports clubs, and a higher education school with 1,200 students.
This lively hub now risks extinction, as the interior demolition required for the metro tunnel’s construction threatens the building.
Many fear that the Palace’s demolition could depreciate the district and gentrify it, causing far-reaching consequences. “They’re about to erase a meeting point for all our children,” a resident warned.
The “Notre Palais / Ons Paleis” collective is preparing an initiative to coincide with the next school term’s beginning. They aim to address the first city council meeting of Brussels City on 4 September and plan additional future actions.
