A European Commission building in Brussels will be partially converted into some 75 refurbished flats and commercial spaces once the lease ends.
The office complex, located near Parc du Cinquantenaire on Avenue des Nerviens in Etterbeek, was bought by sustainable property developer Revive on Monday, which announced it will breathe new life into the building once the Commission's lease ends at the end of 2026 and transform it into housing.
"The future residents will live in one of the greenest and most beautiful environments of our capital," said Business Developer at Revive, Max Tans.
"In terms of mobility, this location also scores very well. You can drive your car onto the motorway in five minutes. If you want to move around within the city, you are spoilt for choice with the metro, bus and tram stops just around the corner."
Sustainable development
The plan envisages some 75 refurbished flats and studios, suitable for a variety of residents from families to couples and single people, meaning most of the building will be re-allocated for residential purposes.
"We want to minimise our carbon footprint and aim for energy-neutral conversions," noted Senior Project Developer at Revive, Stefano Cincinnato. "One of the ways we achieve this is by reusing materials from the existing building and creating almost energy-neutral flats."
Revive is also considering a community garden in the courtyard and a rooftop garden to strengthen the social bond between residents. The ground floor of the nine-storey building "can be filled in as offices, retail or another neighbourhood support function."
If the permit application for the conversion project is granted, work will begin in the first quarter of 2027. Sales of the flats will begin in the second half of 2026 while the first residents will be able to move in by 2029. The building along Avenue des Nerviens is the eighth project in Brussels to be given a new purpose by Revive.
