SAU tasked with building new concert venue for Magasin 4
An agreement between the City of Brussels, the Brussels-Capital Region, the Port of Brussels and the Urban Development Corporation (SAU) will allow Magasin 4 to gain permanent premises. Brussels’ alternative punk rock concert venue will eventually move into a new building to be constructed by the SAU at the corner of Avenue du Port and Rue de l'Entrepôt.
The accord between the partners provides for a concession between the Port and the City of Brussels for the land, the financing of the building under Urban Regeneration Contract 1 ‘Citroën-Vergote’, and an agreement between the City and the SAU, which will act as project manager for the construction of the new concert venue.
Gilles Delforge, director of the SAU, thanked the City of Brussels ‘for the confidence it has placed in the SAU by entrusting it with the project management of the future building for Magasin 4’. He added: ‘The SAU will launch the procedure to appoint the multidisciplinary architectural team that will design the building very shortly. The first step will be the launch of a call for expressions of interest through the Region’s Chief Architect. The SAU is delighted to be playing its role here as coordinator of Brussels' development, in charge of the implementation of major urban development projects and public facilities of regional significance.’
Pending the construction of the building at the corner of Avenue du Port and Rue de l'Entrepôt, the City is working on a transitional solution. The Mayor of the City of Brussels, Philippe Close, commented: ‘Everyone is familiar with Magasin 4, a key facility for alternative culture in Brussels. The City regards this exceptional venue as indispensable. So we’re happy to have succeeded with our partners in ensuring the continuity of this legendary venue.’