Newsletter Pro-Realestate - Special edition Nr 1 - March 2012 Projet Urbain Loi on the move … and 'Delta' on the starting blocks Marie-Laure Roggemans has been designated by the Brussels region to take charge of the redevelopment programme for the European district of Brussels. In her role, she acts as a pivot between the European Commission, the various current property owners, the developers and the politicians. So going beyond the mere figures, she explained us how the project is progressing, both in terms of its progress through the various administrative formalities, and where the overall policy is concerned. [ Read the report...] Wind turbines in Brussels ? Cityscapes are quite the opposite of the vast open spaces sought for locating giant wind turbine masts. And yet the wind which blows through a city, or is caused by the buildings themselves, can also be put to use. But not in the same way as in the countryside. Technical evolution is necessary, along with the notion of ‘building integrated’. A European study into urban wind turbines is underway, and Brussels is part of it. [ Read the report...] Neo, a strategic hub for Brussels With the mixed-use NEO urban plan the City of Brussels wishes to exploit the huge potential of the Heyzel plateau for new economic and tourism opportunities. On an estimated surface of 18 hectares out of the 68 hectares making up the Heyzel Plateau, the development plan includes the building of an international-scale congress centre, a shopping mall, hotels, leisure facilities including a concert hall, sport grounds, along with new green areas and 750 homes. [ Read the report...] The Brussels office market is at the dawn of a new era The office market in Brussels and its periphery have experienced a substantial drop in take-up compared to the average of the past five years. The market vacancy is still above the 10% mark. There are new threats appearing too, such as the announced regrouping of State services which will lead to a reduction of 25 to 30% in the surface area occupied by civil servants, and the growing appetite of investors and developers for other market segments (residential, retail etc.). [ Read the report...] Green certification for buildings: cities are taking the lead In conjunction with various organisations and associations, the Brussels Region is working hard to ensure that its future built environment conforms to the highest ecological standards. Minister Evelyne Huytebroeck takes a very close interest, and is often to be found speaking at the inauguration of new developments. Nobody is better placed to explain current thinking and action in this domain. [ Read the report...] Another reasonable year for the Antwerp office market In Belgium, Antwerp can be considered as the second largest office market after Brussels. It represents around 10% of total Belgian office stock, some 2,355,000 m² including Mechelen. Although the take-up was down in 2011 - 117,000 m² take-up which is 10% lower than 2010 - prime rents increased, and there are a number of interesting projects coming along to rectify the predicted shortage of office space. [ Read the report...] A vision and a philosophy for major urban projects One of the most outstanding developments along the banks of the canal in Brussels is UP-Site, developed by Atenor. This mixed use development contains within it an iconic building : the highest residential tower in Belgium. Atenor CEO Stéphan Sonneville explains his company’s philosophy where UP-Site and the other major Atenor developments – Europa and the PUL – are concerned. [ Read the report...] Developing ‘industrial eco-systems’ ‘Eco-parks’ are developing all over Europe. The principle behind them is the creation of an ‘industrial eco-system’ within the context of sustainable development, setting up industrial areas and bringing together industrial processes with a reduced impact on the environment. This approach is based on cooperation and exchange of information, services, infrastructures, materials, water and energy between economic entities of various natures. [ Read the report...] Retail: an interesting market with little prime availability in 2011 Most retailers appear to have continuing confidence in the Belgian retail scene, with predicted increases in turnover over the coming year widespread. Transaction activity in high streets in Belgium, however, has been moderated in 2011 because there is little prime space available. The fee being asked for ‘key money’ in these prime locations when they do become available, is rising for the same reason. Despite this, the total number of transactions across all types of retail outlet increased by 21% in 2011 compared to 2010... [ Read the report...] Creating space for SME’s The Brussels Regional Development Agency (SDRB) basic mission has always been to create infrastructures for enabling companies to set up in the Brussels Region. Originally, one of the aims was to maintain industrial activity and therefore employment. The enormous evolution within Brussels, and the fact that it is geographically limited to 162 square kilometres, mean that industrial parks have tended to mutate into business parks and this also involves some office space. [ Read the report...] Forthcoming Brussels office buildings projects As a result of the vacancy level which currently stands at around 10%, the Brussels office market regulated itself. Some construction projects were put on hold or delayed avoiding a plethora of new speculative space to come onto the market. Arts Lux, Belview, Black Pearl, de Ligne, E-lite, Regent 4, UP-site, Silver Tower, Victor, … those projects which have made – or will make - their way through the various processes tend to be of high value and they increasingly carry green certification. [ Read the report...] Uplace, green light for 190,000m² of experiences ? Uplace Machelen promises to be anything but a traditional shopping centre, even if shopping is one of the core attractions of the whole project. It would be a city within the city, in which shopping, working and entertainment are no longer built in isolation from each other but woven together in a single space. Despite the fact that the building permit has been granted by Philippe Muyters, the Flemish planning minister, the Uplace mega-project still has the protectionists reaching for their armour. [ Read the report...]   Unsubscribe     |     Advertising     |     About us