Royale Belge
Standing along the edge of the Sonian Forest, the iconic Royale Belge building is a monument to 1960s Belgian corporate architecture. Designed by René Stapels and Pierre Dufau, it consists of a cross-shaped tower and a wide two-story podium. Bovenbouw, Caruso St John and DDS+ are breathing new life into the monofunctional office building after years of neglect. The conversion pairs programmatic diversity with architectural humility and will include offices, coworking, and a hotel, health club and restaurant. A new circular atrium brings daylight deep into the building and is the beating heart of the transformation. Strategic wall openings connect the monumental entrance hall to adjacent offices and the restaurant. The modifications are anchored to the building's original character thanks to the careful reuse of materials. The minimal but purposeful interventions and integration of materials demonstrate humility. Reduced to the essentials, the modifications maximise future use. The guided tours will be led by the architects from Bovenbouw and DDS+.
Architect(s) : Bovenbouw architectuur - Caruso St John architects - DDS+ - MA2
Client : Souverain 25
Category (Brussels Architecture Prize) : Major intervention (honourable mention : Contemporary heritage)
Text : Fabian De Vriendt
Date
27/06/2026 — 14:00, 15:00
● BookingAddress of the visit
Boulevard du Souverain/Vorstlaan 25
1170 Watermael-Boitsfort/Watermael-Bosvoorde
Practical informations
PRM access
WC Access
Photos allowed
