Wow. Look at The Dome. This impressive building. It’s more than just shops and apartments. It’s a piece of Brussels history reborn.
The Dome. Originally called Grands Magasins de la Bourse. It opened in 1872. It was Belgium’s first department store. Imagine the bustle. The excitement. People flocking to this new shopping paradise.
A tragic fire struck in 1948. Much of the original building was destroyed. But it wasn’t the end. The Dome was rebuilt. It rose again in the Art Deco style. Only the mezzanine floor remained from the past. The city requested a new entrance. A tower with a cupola was added. Two extra floors. A mansard roof partially. The 1970s saw facade renovations. Upper floors became offices. Actiris moved in from 1982. Frequent renovations. Many historical elements were lost. The Dome today is an eclectic mix of styles. Inside and outside.
But The Dome’s story continues. Today it’s a multifunctional space. Twenty-one thousand square meters. Retail restaurants offices apartments. A culinary mecca. EATALY its first Belgian location. Three thousand five hundred square meters. Food court restaurants cafes a supermarket a training center. Delhaize will also be here. A new urban concept on the ground floor. A classic supermarket in the basement. Two thousand two hundred square meters.
The Dome’s base opens to the city. It interacts with the public space. Inspired by the original department store. The city will flow into the building. Modern offices fill the second third and fourth floors. A glass atrium links them. A rooftop garden. On the upper floors 55 apartments. Small but smartly designed. Shared spaces. Relaxation areas terraces gardens. Affordable sustainable housing.
The Dome is a sustainable project. Circular construction. Modern techniques. Solar panels heat pumps. Minimum energy consumption. Soft traffic. Bike parking. Shared electric vehicles. The Dome aims for a BREEAM Excellent certificate. It embodies Brussels’ ambitions. High-quality multifunctional forward-looking buildings.
The Dome project continues the revalorisation of Brussels’ city center. High-quality architecture. An attractive program. It’s a beacon. A meeting place for everyone. A new chapter. The Dome. A symbol of Brussels’ past and future.