The first phase of renovation works has started to convert the Forest Abbey from a place of religion to one of culture, education and youth. The €22 million project will give the historic site back to Brussels residents.
Near the centre of the Brussels' municipality of Forest lies a large monastic complex built by the renowned architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez in 1764. However, the only surviving neoclassical elements of the construction are the entrance porch, the semicircle of outbuildings and the two residential buildings. The site has been sporadically used for cultural events but is run down.
"The Abbey of Forest and its gardens, together with the town hall, church and Place Saint-Denis, form the historical centre of the municipality," said Beliris, in charge of construction, renovation and restoration projects in the capital. "Over the years, the building became increasingly neglected, prompting a rethink of its use and layout."
The Abbey in its current state. Credit: Inventaire du patrimoine architectural / Beliris
The Forest municipal council, which owns the site, has wanted to restore the site to its former glory for some time. The eagerly awaited first phase of the renovation work to achieve this goal started this week.
Bringing back life
The project goes beyond restoring a listed heritage, Beliris noted. Expanding the range of cultural activities, bringing life back to the building and putting it at the service of citizens is at the heart of the abbey's redevelopment.
Illustration of the redeveloped site. Credit: Beliris
The site will be reopened as the 'ABŸ Cultural Centre'. It will house several cultural, arts education and youth activity institutions that are currently spread out across the commune. These include the Academy of Music, Word and Dance, the French-language Library, the cultural centre BRASS and the Youth House of Forest.
The plan is to add a new theatre, youth centre, a small auditorium, a toy library and a café-restaurant to the 9,000 m2 site. The run-down gardens will also be given a facelift, with 400 new trees planted. Some soil remediation has already been carried out, and plants have been added.
Credit: Beliris
The historical buildings in a semicircle, the castle and the monastery will be restored and completely renovated. A new building will be constructed for the French-language municipal library and toy library.
Overall, the renovation works will be carried out over three years and in three phases. The first phase of works, which started this week and will last until June 2026, will focus on the demolition of the old restaurant, the construction of the French-language library and the renovation of the exterior of the south wing. Archaeological research will also be carried out in the area.
Credit: Beliris
The second phase, focusing on a different part of the abbey, will start in November 2025 until January 2027. The final phase will run from July 2026 until April 2027, when the project is expected to be finalised. During the works, access to the Abbey site will be limited and will no longer be accessible from Place Saint-Denis.
The total cost of the renovation is estimated at almost €22 million, financed by the Brussels-Capital Region, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and the European Union through the ERDF programme.
