The Ancienne Belgique, more commonly known as "the AB" and considered one of the top music venues in the capital, will be renovated from next summer onwards, which will include the creation of a rooftop terrace with gardens.
Since it first opened its doors and invited top talents to its stage in 1979, the AB is the reference point for venues, having hosted some of the biggest music artists – from Herbie Hancock to David Bowie and The Clash.
With a new renovation project, the venue now wants to become a space also for intimate concerts, a meeting place, an exhibition space and workshops, while also strengthening its links with the neighbourhood and the city.
This openness will be reflected in the new design as part of the building's renovation, for which the Brussels Region granted planning permission, State Secretary for Urban Development Pascal Smet announced on Thursday.
"The renovation of the legendary AB is a wonderful project that also underlines our ambitions in terms of urban planning," Smet noted, adding that the new design of the building will be very open, making it more accessible, and reflecting its new purpose.
Panoramic views
Most notably, the creation of a rooftop terrace, in line with the region's ambition to make better use of these spaces, alongside gardens is expected to draw in new crowds to the venue.
The new café-restaurant offering a panoramic view of the city centre which will be ecologically responsible — think local products, short chain, less food waste and vegetarian options — is expected to become "one of the neighbourhood's must-sees."
"With this project, we not only increase the public comfort and the general appearance of the AB, but we also seize the opportunity to put down stronger roots in the neighbourhood," said Tom Bonte, general manager of the AB.
Visual of what rooftop terrace will look like. Credit: Ancienne Belgique
To achieve these goals, there will be a renovation project in Rue des Pierres, a side street of Boulevard Anspach, on which the AB is located.
A stairwell connecting all the spaces, including the rooftop terrace, will be located on the outside wall of the building.
Both this hallway and the walls surrounding the main concert hall will be acoustically insulated to limit the noise for direct neighbours.
Inside the building itself, the main concert hall will be made more accessible, as an additional passageway will be created to access the first balcony to ensure that visitors do not have to walk through the AB Club as is currently the case.
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An adapted lift will allow access to all floors without assistance and sanitary facilities will also be made more accessible for those with mobility impairments.
The venue is one of the major cultural institutions of the Flemish Community, which has freed up a budget of more than €5 million for the works, scheduled to start this summer.
