Schroders Capital announces the completion of the Plaza Redevelopment Project at Bastion Tower, Brussels. This landmark project, located at Place du Champs de Mars 5 and delivered in three stages between May 2023 and June 2024, represents a significant investment into one of Brussels' most iconic office towers.
Schroders Capital has transformed Bastion Tower’s 35,000 sqm of office and retail spaces, expertly tailored to meets occupiers' expectations in terms of amenities and modern work environments. The asset has been repositioned as a place to work, live, and shop, offering diverse services such as a hospitality-minded reception with a business centre operated by Welcome at Work, a trendy café run by Léopold Café, a fitness centre managed by Jims, and coworking spaces provided by Servcorp.
Focusing on operational excellence, the project has been particularly well-received by the market and has resulted in several leasing transactions over the past three years, accommodating both renewing tenants and new occupiers. This has led to the full occupation of the office area. Combined with outstanding fit-out works managed by both the landlord and tenants, Bastion Tower represents the future of workspaces.
In line with Schroders Capital Real Estate’s three pillars of its sustainability approach, “Creating sustainable places”, “Protecting our planet” and “Investing in people”, a key part of the project has been the redevelopment of external areas. Accessible to the public, the aim has been to create versatile green and water spaces where people can sit and enjoy diverse planting.
In collaboration with the Alderman’s Office for Culture and the Museum of Ixelles, commemorative plaques have been placed on the square to honour artists advocating for freedom. As Square Bastion marks the beginning of a culturally diverse district, it has been the frequent site of demonstrations related to people’s rights. Additionally, a focus was placed on visibility and lighting to enhance the sense of security for passers-by.
An agreement was also reached with STIB[1] and the Brussels-Capital Region to fully replace the main metro station exit at Porte de Namur/Naamsepoort, with the project being managed by Bastion Tower. This, together with the refurbishment of the underground area, will result in a fully renovated metro station, making it a central hub in Brussels.
The project is targeting sustainability certifications BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-Out (RFO) "Very Good"[2] and Fitwel "One-star"[3].
Hideki Kurata, Head of Real Estate France at Schroders Capital, commented:
“The Plaza Redevelopment Project not only enhances the building's infrastructure and aesthetic appeal but also aligns with our commitment to providing high-quality, sustainable space for our tenants. This continued investment underscores our dedication to maintaining premier assets in key locations and adapting our buildings to new ways of working, with a focus on sustainability, operational excellence, and innovative solutions to meet emerging trends.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to all contributors and officials involved in this project. Their unwavering commitment and expertise have been integral to the successful transformation of Bastion Tower, reinforcing its status as a landmark in Brussels.”
The project to redevelop the tower and the public space was designed by the well-known studio ArtBuild Architects, based in Brussels for 35 years.
Bruno Caballé, ArtBuild’s senior partner, said:
“We are proud to have given this tower and the public space a new, sustainable identity that benefits both users and the community”.
[1] Société des transports intercommunaux de Bruxelles
[2] BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out Standards provide a framework to deliver projects to a high performing and sustainable standard, support commercial success and create positive environmental and social impact. BREEAM Refurbishment and fit out
[3] Fitwel® is a people-centric real estate certification platform committed to building health for all Fitwel — Project Solutions | About The Fitwel Standard & Scorecards
For further information, please contact:
Mathias De Meester | +32 472 93 32 94 | mathias.demeester@schroders.com |
Justine Crestois, PR Executive | +44 20 7658 5186 |
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