The long-awaited opening of a new socio-cultural centre in the historic centre of Schaerbeek has been confirmed. The new structure combines a former cinema and theatre and will house two performance halls, an exhibition and workshop space, and more.
One of the most densely populated areas of Schaerbeek, between Parc Josaphat and the town hall, will soon be enriched with a new socio-cultural centre. The project, developed as part of the Pogge Sustainable Neighbourhood Contract (CQDPO), involves the creation of a neighbourhood community facility that uses the promotion of cultural diversity as a catalyst for social cohesion and urban regeneration.
"The approach will focus on civic participation through expression, the production of knowledge and languages, creativity, experimentation, innovative initiatives and cultural exchanges," project leader at CQDPO, Hakim Belabes, told The Brussels Times. "By bringing people together and creating a social link, this facility will help to bring together the different populations living in or visiting the municipality."
The site is intended to compensate for the lack of public facilities in the neighbourhood. The project to create the space was first announced in 2018 and the opening was scheduled for 2022, but this was pushed back.
However, the project's completion is now finally in sight. The final touches are being made and work should be completed by early 2025, said Belabes. "The building will open gradually between February and August 2025, followed by a 'full and optimal' opening in September 2025 for the 2025-2026 cultural season."
Combining structures
The design by Ouest Architecture provides for the renovation and redevelopment of a complex of three buildings located on three adjoining plots: the now-closed 100-year-old Elite cinema, which faces Chaussée de Haecht, the building next door and Scarabaeus Theatre, a former garage converted into rehearsal and dressing rooms in 1994, located on Rue Creuse, the street running parallel.
The site will house Schaerbeek's cultural centre, as its current location on Rue de Locht was deemed too small for the municipality's population.
The light-blue part of the maquette represents the new structure. Credit: Ouest
The new infrastructure, covering 2,500 m², will consist of two performance halls – a larger auditorium seating 220 people and a smaller auditorium seating 90 – as well as three large multi-purpose areas, a workshop, two dressing rooms and offices for the cultural centre. The plans also include a bar, which will also be the ticket office, and a new outdoor terrace.
The construction has focused on preserving the building and reusing materials. The entire project cost around €13 million, and is almost entirely funded by regional and European subsidies (granted via the Wallonia-Brussels Federation as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan).
