Region shortlists five teams for design of new sports facility at Vergote Dock

Following the presentation of an analytical report drawn up by the Urban Development Corporation (SAU) in consultation with the City of Brussels, the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region has shortlisted five teams from the 58 applications received in response to the European public procurement process relating to the construction of a sports facility of regional significance by the Canal, between Quai des Armateurs and Allée Verte.

The project is being organised within the framework of Urban Regeneration Contract 1 ‘Citroën-Vergote’. It complements other projects planned along the Canal and in particular the redesign and extension of Maximilien Park, the redevelopment of the Monument to Labour esplanade and the creation of facilities on Avenue du Port, such as the Magasin 4 concert venue.

The five multidisciplinary architecture teams(1) that have been shortlisted for the second phase of the process and invited to submit a bid including a sketch of their project are as follows:
- B-architecten NV
- Bel architecten – Crit architects – Weinand
- Dierendonckblancke – Robbrecht and Daem architecten
- Label architecture – Muoto
- URA – RRA

The sports hub, with an approximate total floor space of 5,400 m² on a site measuring around 2,600 m², must include a multipurpose sports hall, a gymnastics hall, a climbing hall, a number of padel courts and a cafeteria. The regional government has given the project management role to the Urban Development Corporation (SAU), which is thus responsible for seeing it through to completion. Once constructed, the facility will be managed by the City of Brussels.

Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region, commented: ‘This emblematic project of the first wave of Urban Regeneration Contracts (CRUs) offers a response to the lack of sports facilities for people in this part of Brussels and more broadly for the entire population of Brussels. It also aims to bring new life to this area between the Canal and the Quartier Nord by attracting a more diverse public.’

Gilles Delforge, director of the SAU, stressed: ‘The number of applications that the SAU has received demonstrates the interest generated by this ambitious regional project to revitalise a site that’s unknown to the vast majority of Brussels residents. I’m really happy about this, as it bodes very well both for this project and for the development of the Canal Area in general – something in which the SAU is involved in connection with other projects relating to public facilities, such as the Magasin 4 concert venue, fire stations and so on.’

(1) Architecture, stability, building services engineering, environmental and sustainability expertise, safety and health coordination, acoustics.