Renovation of the Brussels Royal Conservatory finally underway

Long overdue renovation works at the Brussels Royal Conservatory have officially launched in the presence of the authorities involved in the ambitious restoration project.

Interior minister Bernard Quintin (MR), Flemish minister for Brussels Cieltje Van Achter (N-VA) and minister-president of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Elisabeth Degryse (Les Engagés), were in attendance at the ceremony.

It was a long-awaited green light following several postponements due to the complexity of securing financing by the various parties.

Said Quintin: “Thanks to Beliris's recognised expertise in preserving Brussels' heritage, we are restoring the Conservatory to its former glory, firmly anchoring it in modernity… Work has finally begun on both the concert hall and the surrounding buildings. Bringing this project to fruition means respecting our history and giving Brussels a prestige befitting its status as the Belgian and European capital.

Funding is shared equally among the three stakeholders: the Belgian Buildings Agency, the Flemish Community and the French Community.

The project also benefits from the support of Beliris, a cooperation initiated in 1993 between the Belgian federal state and the Brussels region in order to strengthen the role of Brussels as the national and European capital. 

Sustainability at heart of project

After the large-scale asbestos removal and relocation of the conservatory’s iconic organ instrument, the project can finally begin in 2026. In addition to the restoration of the entrance hall, the main chain concert hall and the rehearsal room, the entire complex will undergo a complete renovation.

The neoclassical Flemish-style building, designed in 1872 by the architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar and located on Rue de la Regence near Place Poelaert, will also be expanded to accommodate a growing number of students.

A strong focus on sustainability lies at the heart of the project, with green roofs, two rainwater harvesting tanks and a heat pump all in the pipeline. The building will also be equipped with an optimised ventilation system and energy-efficient appliances (class A).

The first phase is scheduled for completion in autumn 2029, with an estimated budget of €74.5 million. A second phase will focus on renovating the residences of the director and secretariat, completing houses on Rue aux Laines and landscaping the Petit Sablon property’s inner courtyard gardens. 

Symphony concert to celebrate start of restoration project

Conservamus celebrates the launch of this new phase with a grand symphonic concert on 20 February 20 at Bozar.

More than 100 students from the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel  and the Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles will come together in the Conservamus Symphony Orchestra (pictured above).

Conducted by Nicolás Pasquet, the concert offers an exceptional programme featuring Richard Strauss (Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64) and Maurice Ravel (Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2) — a powerful musical celebration on the eve of the Conservatory's renovation.

Photos: (main image) KCB-CrB ©SMOrigin-A2RC-FVWW; Photos of works ©Beliris; KCB-foyer ©SMOrigin-A2RC-FVWW