The sale and leaseback of the ING headquarters located at Cours Saint-Michel in Etterbeek was announced at the beginning of last summer. The aim was to find the ideal buyer who would come up with and redevelop a landmark project in an innovative environment inspired by "smart cities" and taking into account, the future of our city.
“The project is in line with the values of ING Group, who will leave the site in a few years in order to redevelop the site strategically located on the Mérode train station, between the European district and the eastern districts of Brussels” said Sandra Gottcheiner, Development Director at IMMOBEL, in charge of the matter. “The site to be redeveloped is a hotspot of the European capital and at the same time enjoys a green setting”, added Raphaël Legendre, Project Director at BESIX RED.
IMMOBEL and BESIX RED very naturally joined forces on this issue. “It's a best fit”, exclaimed Marnix Galle, Executive Chairman of IMMOBEL Group. “IMMOBEL has unrivalled know-how in joint urban projects and an extremely competent Brussels team for this kind of redevelopment”, he explained. As for BESIX “As a multi-services Group operating in construction and real estate development, and true to our purpose – excel in creating sustainable solutions for a better world, we enthusiastically participate in this project which will bring real added value to the community and improve the life quality of citizens. ", said Rik Vandenberghe, CEO of the Group.
This decision is another milestone in the strategic redevelopment of the entire Brussels region and will allow the partners to add a new flagship project to their portfolio. After Chambon, Solvay and Lebeau, the construction of this new joint urban project on a very attractive site allows IMMOBEL to demonstrate its expertise. It will complete an impressive Brussels track record for BESIX RED, such as the Canal District project (urban integration of 200 apartments in the heart of Brussels) and the development of the Val d'Or district in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (more than 500 housing units in 10 years).
This decision is another milestone in the strategic redevelopment of the entire Brussels region and will allow partners to complete their portfolios with this flagship project. After Chambon, Solvay and Lebeau, the construction of this new mixed urban project allows IMMOBEL to confirm its expertise. It will also complete the Brussels record track of BESIX RED, illustrated in particular by the Canal District project (urban integration of 200 apartments in the center of Brussels) or the development of the Val d'Or district in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (more 500 dwellings in 10 years).
“For us, it is essential to assure an adequate mix between innovative offices (NWOW, ...) inviting corporates and European-oriented organisations but also community spaces oriented on start-up, human services as well as different kinds of dwelling units", explained Alexander Hodac, CEO of IMMOBEL. “We are proud to further contribute to the skyline of Brussels, thanks on the one hand to our expertise in the integrated development of urban spaces, and on the other hand to the expertise of our Group in engineering and contracting" concludes Gabriel Uzgen, Managing Director of BESIX RED.