Usquare

The transformation of a former barracks

In Ixelles, the former Royal Gendarmerie School, once closed and inaccessible, is undergoing a major transformation. Usquare, an ambitious 3.9-hectare redevelopment project managed by the SAU, aims to turn this historic site into a mixed-use, sustainable and innovative district, fully integrated into the city. One of its emblematic buildings has even been awarded a prize at the Brussels Architecture Prize. The project is expected to be completed by 2031.

The history of Usquare began in 2018 when the SAU acquired the former barracks and took charge of its redevelopment, in close collaboration with ULB and VUB. In order to retain long-term regional land control, it was decided that all projects would be developed on an emphyteutic lease basis.

The first phase of works focused on site and building remediation (soil decontamination, asbestos removal and demolition) as well as servicing, including rainwater management, installation of sewage and heat networks, and essential infrastructure (water, electricity, telecoms).

A new university hub

At the same time, heritage restoration works began on the former riding hall and the buildings along Boulevard Général Jacques. These buildings, which received the Public Prize at the 2025 Brussels Architecture Prize, have housed a new university hub since the start of the 2024 academic year. This joint project by ULB and VUB aims to bring together teachers, researchers and students in a spirit of collaboration and shared innovation.

An entrepreneurial incubator, StartLab.brussels, resulting from the recent merger of ULB and VUB student incubators, will also be located on the site, making Usquare a unique ecosystem for innovation and research in Europe. In addition, with the aim of opening the district to the city, the ULB-VUB FabLabs and their digital fabrication tools are accessible to local residents.

A pioneer in temporary use

While awaiting full redevelopment, the SAU implemented a first temporary occupation project (See U) from 2019 to 2022. The aim was to activate and secure the site by hosting a wide range of citizen-led, creative, entrepreneurial, educational and cultural initiatives. In total, more than 200 project leaders, 1,500 activities and 400,000 visitors were hosted during this period.

Building on this success, a second edition has been running since 2024. Named “UR Square”, this new temporary management approach focuses on culture, social initiatives, training, sustainable and local food, and the circular economy.

Led by the non-profit Wonder Meï, the project runs over three years and currently hosts more than 80 project leaders from various fields such as design, craftsmanship, artistic creation, social innovation, circular economy and sustainable food. These initiatives occupy around 4,350 m² of workspaces, complemented by shared areas designed to foster exchange, cooperation and community life.

UR Square is based on a participatory governance model, actively involving residents in the management, programming and evolution of the site. This structure fosters an engaged community capable of sharing resources, co-creating uses and developing collective projects closely linked to the neighbourhood and the academic community.

Since its gradual opening in autumn 2024, UR Square has also hosted a regular programme of events, workshops, exhibitions and gatherings, contributing to the site’s openness and local anchoring. The project illustrates the role of temporary use as a lever for urban, social and cultural activation.

The largest geothermal district heating network in Brussels

To supply all buildings on the site and allow for future expansion beyond the district, the SAU, in collaboration with ULB, has built a district heating network powered by 132 geothermal probes and a CO₂ heat pump. This network meets the heating and cooling needs of the entire site, contributing to the Region’s decarbonisation efforts.

The system is complemented by 400 photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of the Food Hall, generating approximately 145 MWh of green electricity per year.

New public spaces

The redevelopment also includes a complete redesign of public spaces. The former Cour d’Honneur has become Caroline Pauwels Square, named after the VUB rector who passed away in 2022. Fully renovated and planted, it is complemented by equipped and densely vegetated pathways and a future public garden open to the neighbourhood.

A first phase of works, led by architects Anyoji Beltrando, began in 2024 and was completed in summer 2025. Further redevelopment will follow progressively alongside the conversion of buildings into student and family housing.

Student and family housing

The site will include 460 student rooms, two auditoriums (200 and 300 seats), seminar rooms, a neighbourhood cinema and retail spaces. This development will take place in four existing buildings (approx. 20,000 m²), combining preservation, transformation and partial reconstruction depending on their condition and heritage value. The project by ARTAU – CONIX RDBM – SWECO won the 2024 architecture competition.

Based on principles of frugality, circularity and robustness, the project combines heritage reuse with sustainable construction, aiming to provide high-quality, adaptable and cost-efficient spaces.

Around 120 family housing units are also planned. The Brussels Regional Housing Company (SLRB) is finalising the conversion of the “Clos des Mariés” into 31 social housing units, while Citydev has launched a tender for at least 25 affordable homeownership units.

The Autism House

Designed to provide support, guidance and care for autistic people and their families in an inclusive environment, the new Autism Centre will be located in existing buildings at the corner of Fritz Toussaint and Juliette Wytsman streets.

Organised around a central courtyard, the complex offers a quieter setting while remaining integrated into the district. The SAU is overseeing the project and has conducted architectural programming studies with CENTRAL, working closely with COCOF.

In 2024, 37 applications were received, and the cooperative Karbon’ was selected to design the renovation. The project emphasises bio-based and reused materials and a participatory approach involving stakeholders and professionals.

A historic site serving the architecture of tomorrow

Usquare aims to embody a more sustainable, innovative and inclusive city. This transformation prioritises renovation, reuse and post-carbon construction.

In this spirit, the site hosted the “Materia” exhibition in its restored hall, showcasing 40 contemporary projects using earth, stone and plant fibres. Co-produced by Pavillon de l’Arsenal, Les Grands Ateliers, amàco and Compagnons du Devoir, the exhibition highlighted technical, ecological and aesthetic excellence while promoting local know-how.

It was accompanied by professional events, including the SAU conference “Circularity in Practice”.

Did you know?

The former Fritz Toussaint barracks was long a closed military site. Built in the 1870s for the Belgian army, it later housed the Royal Gendarmerie School.

After being bombed in 1943 and until 2015, additional buildings were constructed as it evolved into Federal Police offices.

Designed by Belgian architect Henri Van Dievoet, the main façade along Boulevard Général Jacques features Flemish neo-Renaissance style.

In 2018, the SAU acquired the site to develop the Usquare project.

Timeline

• In the spring of 2018, the SAU-MSI became responsible for the operational development of the project for the conversion of the former Ixelles barracks. In particular, it is supporting the universities (ULB and VUB) in the launch of its international architectural competition for the construction of its new academic activity centre and the restoration of the old riding school into a food hall.
• In the spring of 2019 until the end of summer 2022, the SAU-MSI is carrying out a large-scale transitional management on the site of the former Barracks. At the time, the largest temporary occupation project in Belgium (called See U), hosted more than 200 project initiatives, programmed more than 1500 events and activities and welcomed several hundred thousand visitors.
• At the beginning of 2020, the SAU-MSI appointed a Franco-Belgian multidisciplinary team, led by the Anyoji Beltrando architects and urban planners agency, to ensure the design and monitoring of the construction of the 20,000 m² of public spaces on the Usquare.brussels site as well as the construction of a geothermally powered heating network.
• At the end of 2020, the Brussels-Capital Region issued planning permits for the first two renovation and repurposing operations of emblematic buildings on the site : the first permit was issued to the SAU-MSI for the renovation and conversion of the former Manège into a hall focused on sustainable food; the second was issued to the ULB and VUB universities for the renovation and reallocation of the buildings located on the front of the Boulevard Général Jacques into a centre of academic activities
• In December 2020, See U, the temporary occupation of Usquare.brussels, was awarded at the Visit.brussels Awards.
• At the beginning of 2021, the SAU-MSI began an innovative participatory process on the design of public spaces.
• At the end of 2021, the first conversion of the emblematic buildings of the former barracks began.
• In the summer of 2022: the SAU-MSI obtains its planning permit to build the heating network, drill the geothermal probes, completely repair the sewers, set up integrated rainwater management infrastructure and completely redevelop public spaces.
• Early 2023: work on the construction of the underground infrastructure begins.
• February 2024: the new academic activity center is inaugurated and will welcome many professors, doctoral students, researchers and students from the academic meeting of September 2024.
• March 2024: publication of the tender to appoint the management team for the new temporary use.
• April 2024: publication of the call for expressions of interest for the temporary use.
• April 2024: completion of the geothermal district heating network works.
• April 2024: launch of the tender to appoint an architectural firm to design 460 student housing units.
• May 2024: appointment of the temporary use management team.
• June 2024: selection of project holders במסגרת the temporary use.
• July 2024: invitation to submit tenders to four shortlisted teams for the design of the 460 student housing units.
• October 2024: provisional acceptance of the restoration works of the former riding hall, to be converted into a Food Hall.
• October 2024: appointment of the contractor for the renovation of the “Clos des Mariés” to develop 31 social housing units (SLRB/BinHôme).
• November 2024: official launch of the new temporary use, Usquare.
• December 2024: award of the contract for the redevelopment of the former Cour d’Honneur and its surroundings.
• March 2025: tree planting on the new Caroline Pauwels Square.
• April 2025: appointment of the ARTAU – CONIX RDBM – SWECO architectural team to design 460 student housing units and several facilities.
• April 2025: publication by Citydev of a tender for the construction of at least 25 subsidised homeownership housing units.
• April 2025: appointment of the Karbon’ cooperative for the design of the future Autism Centre.
• June 2025: completion of the development works for Caroline Pauwels Square.
• July 2025: installation of 400 photovoltaic panels.
• October 2025: “Materia” exhibition on 40 eco-construction projects using bio-based and geo-sourced materials (stone, earth, fibre).
• October 2025: MSI conference “Circularity in Practice”.