Project Citygate I - Marchandises officially inaugurated
Project Citygate I - Marchandises officially inaugurated
Brussels, 1 October 2024
Kairos & Citydev.brussels, in collaboration with BAM Interbuild, today officially opened CityGate I – Goederen in the Kuregem district of Anderlecht. The ceremony took place in the presence of Fabrice Cumps, Mayor of Anderlecht, and Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region. This inauguration marks the completion of the third phase of the CityGate I programme, a significant milestone in the transformation of the former industrial site into a mixed-use, sustainable new neighbourhood.
A comprehensive, innovative development
CityGate I – Goederen comprises 97 social housing flats, a crèche for 56 children, an underground level with 130 parking spaces and 107 cellars, and 276 cycle parking spaces, all constructed by BAM Interbuild.
The project stands out for its multi-purpose building of just under 4,000 m², featuring 9 homes at market price on the top floor, 4 studios on the ground floor, 3 floors for commercial activities, 5 multi-purpose spaces, and terraces on the upper floors.
Between the initial design set out in the master plan in 2012 and the start of construction, the building had to be adapted to comply with current town planning regulations and to reflect commercial and economic realities. Fixed and flexible elements have been optimally balanced, with an emphasis on the reversibility of the spaces. This reversibility is incorporated into the planning permission, with studios on the ground floor, residential units on the upper floors and offices in between.
Architecturally, this is achieved through a double-height plinth on the ground floor, a multifunctional tower on the upper floors, a compact central circulation core, with a modular floor plan and façades, and spaces delivered as shell units that future users can fit out themselves.
Benjamin Cadranel, Chief Executive of citydev.brussels, is delighted:
The completion of this third phase of CityGate I marks a significant step in the transformation of the Kuregem neighbourhood and represents the first tangible achievement of our objectives regarding mixed-use development. With this third phase now included, the entire CityGate I programme comprises more than 250 homes, an integrated health and social centre, spaces for production activities, and local shops. With the inauguration of this multi-purpose building, we are once again emphasising our desire to play a pioneering role: we want to drive innovation in the city by ensuring a functional and social mix.
And what about sustainability?
The buildings were designed by A2M, Urban Platform and ORG with a focus on the use of sustainable materials and techniques, and comply with the latest energy standards.
The project comprises the equivalent of approximately 30 per cent zero-energy homes. Their heating, hot water and domestic electricity requirements are offset by electricity generated by solar panels.
Rainwater management has been optimised and the green roofs contribute to greater urban biodiversity. Around 500 m² of the green roof is accessible to residents. There is also a communal garden and a green inner courtyard.
1.5 million euros in ERDF funding
A total of 43.9 million euros has been invested, including 11.15 million in regional government funding.
Thanks to the substantial ERDF grant of 1.5 million euros, the project also includes a crèche. This is essential for strengthening the neighbourhood’s social infrastructure. The European funding addresses the urgent need for accessible and affordable nurseries. It helps young families to improve their work-life balance. This applies not only to families who have recently moved into the neighbourhood (in the Kuborn and Grondels developments), but also to those who will be living in CityGate II and III in the future.
Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of Brussels:
The ERDF’s funding of the crèche illustrates how European cooperation can directly benefit local communities. The project not only provides childcare places, but also creates jobs in the care sector and strengthens social cohesion in Anderlecht.
Fabrice Cumps, Mayor of Anderlecht:
This project, situated between Grondelsstraat and the railway line, creates a link between the neighbourhood’s industrial past and its future. What was once an industrial heartland is now an urban hub where people live and work in a green and accessible environment. This kind of urban regeneration promotes social cohesion, economic development and Anderlecht’s appeal.
Future prospects
CityGate I is the first phase of a comprehensive masterplan to transform the Kuregem neighbourhood. In the subsequent phases – CityGate II and III – further homes, schools and community facilities will be added. In the long term, CityGate will breathe new life into more than 130,000 m² of urban space.
