Planning permit for a hotel in ‘Hôtel des Douanes’ on Tour & Taxis

The Brussels-Capital Region gives the green light for the development of a new hotel in the former customs building ‘Hôtel des Douanes’ on the site of Tour & Taxis.

This building was constructed between 1904 and 1907 and designed by the Brussels architect Ernest Van Humbeek. Many of the original architectural and decorative elements are still intact. Some examples are the cast iron columns, the concrete roof construction, the metal structures supporting the glass roof, the walls of the former counters, the granite stairs and the galleries.

The impressive former customs building will now be a hotel with 102 rooms. The project will be carried by Extensa. Respect for the building and its history play a central role in the renovation, during which new balconies and a terrace will be added. The design of the balconies and the terrace was slightly modified because of a request of the Brussels Region after the consultation committee. The double wooden door on the street side has been preserved.

‘The arrival of a high-class hotel in this iconic building is another major step in the development of the Tour & Taxis site. Thanks to the stunning Gare Maritime, that is nearly finished, the renovation of Hôtel des Douanes and many other developments in the neighbourhood, Tour & Taxis is turning into a multifunctional district. Unique of its kind in Belgium and maybe even beyond,’ says Pascal Smet, State Secretary for Urbanism.