Renovation of the Abbey of Forest can start
ABY-project for Forest Abbey obtains its planning permit
Wednesday, September 29, 2021 — The ABY project becomes reality. This project does not only include the renovation of the Forest Abbey site, but will also turn Rue des Abbesses into a park area. In addition, a house at Place Saint-Denis and two houses in Chaussée de Bruxelles will be demolished, a building in Rue des Abesses will be renovated and there will be three new buildings for a concert hall, a music academy and a library. The original project was submitted in September 2020 and has evolved considerably since then. Indeed, modification plans were submitted at the request of the Region and have strongly reduced the project’s impact. As a result, the auditorium was cancelled, while the music rooms were retained for the academy. The gallery, main hall and foyer were rearranged in the best possible way. The modified project saves 70 % of the trees that originally would be felled (from 169 to 62) and highlights the archaeological discoveries.
The Region, the federal government and Europe are supporting this project.
“We have taken an important administrative step towards the renovation of Forest Abbey. Together with urban.brussels and the Commission Royale des Monuments et des Sites, we have guided the municipality from the start. In this way, the historical heritage will revive and will be combined with contemporary uses,” said Pascal Smet, State Secretary for Urbanism and Heritage.
“This project unites heritage preservation with a new cultural purpose. After the planning permit is delivered, it can move forward. I am looking forward to the inhabitants of Forest getting to know this redesigned and renovated space,” explained Charles Spapens, alderman for Urban Revitalisation and Culture for the municipality of Forest.
“As a result of its broad cultural ambitions, the ABY project has received financial support of over 7.3 million euros from the ERDF programme of our region.
The new "ABY" cultural centre will enable various cultural, social and economic functions that are open to the city and accessible to all. This way, these functions will be contributing to the social cohesion and to the redevelopment of the Saint-Denis neighbourhood," rejoiced Minister-President Rudi Vervoort.