The D'Ieteren Group to redesign its iconic headquarters in Ixelles

The D'Ieteren Group will undertake "a revitalisation project" of its historic headquarters on Rue de Mail in Ixelles, RTBF reports.

The site, which occupies an area of 67,000 m², was initially acquired by the company in 1906 to become the headquarters of the family business and one of the main sites of its automotive activity. It has housed various showrooms, mechanical and body shops, as well as the D'Ieteren Gallery - the museum that traces the history of the Group since its foundation in 1805.

"Following a design competition in which several renowned international architectural firms participated, the British office AL_A was selected to revive the site based on the values of the D'Ieteren Group, while ensuring maximum flexibility to meet future needs," the D'Ieteren Group said in a statement. "The architectural objective is also to reduce the density of the site and to open it up, in the image of an international group open to the world." The new site will house offices, shops and amenities as well as the D'Ieteren Gallery, as the company’s automotive activities have already been moved.

Contacts have been established with the municipal and regional authorities and an application for a permit should be submitted in the coming months. "Local residents and neighbourhood associations will of course be invited in good time to discuss this project," promises D'Ieteren.