Work begins on City 2 makeover

Construction work will be carried out at the City 2 Commercial Centre on Rue Neuve in Brussels from the 18th of September 2017 to January 2019. AG Real Estate, which owns the building, says it aims to turn it into a place for living, meeting, discussion, relaxation and pleasure.

The mall will remain fully open and accessible over the next 18 months, especially since the construction work will be done at night, during closing hours, to limit any disruption to a minimum.

Inaugurated in 1978 and first renovated in 1999, City2 is the largest shopping mall in the Brussels city centre, with an area of 39,500 m2 and about 100 stores. Close to 13 million customers pass through its doors each year. AG Real Estate aims to completely transform it and “guarantee its positioning in line with what an urban shopping mall should be today”.

The new version of the mall will be lighter and brighter, AG says, with completely renovated floors, columns and ceilings, a much larger food court, and a new atrium, bringing the total to three. Access to and from the Rogier subway station will be completely transformed to make it easier and more convivial, while the connection to the parking area will be improved. Reducing the energy footprint will also be at the heart of the project, according to the owners.

AG Real Estate says it will do everything to make sure that the works do not have an impact on the shopping experience of visitors, especially in terms of cleanliness and noise, or on the work of the businesses at the mall.

The owners hope that the transformation of the mall, through the repositioning that it will bring about, will also be an opportunity to attract stores that are not yet represented in Brussels or even in Belgium – discussions are ongoing with “innovative” brands – and to woo a new clientele to the shopping centre.

Between 30 and 40 million euros will be invested in the renovation.


The author: Michel DEURINCK

Michel Deurinck, born in Brussels in 1950, started his career in the Belgian civil service, dedicating over 30 years to public service. Upon retirement, he pursued his passion for journalism. Transitioning into this new field, he quickly gained recognition for his insightful reporting on politics and culture. Deurinck's balanced and thoughtful approach to journalism has made him a respected figure in Belgian media.

Related posts

Leave a Comment