Works will soon begin to turn Bourse into open gallery and beer attraction

Works will finally begin this summer on the landmark Bourse building on Boulevard Anspach. The city has been discussing for years how to transform the building into a tourist attraction with a focus on Belgian beer.

The plans are finally ready, and they show that the ground floor of the Bourse will be an open gallery where visitors can walk through anytime they want, 24 hours a day. The current doors on all four sides of the building will be made wider, inviting passers-by to stroll through.

“The large hall will be continuously accessible,” said Brussels finance minister Sven Gatz, who was once the director of the Belgian Brewers Federation. This will make it easier to walk from the Grand Place to the pedestrian zone without having to go all the way around the building.”

Sky bar

The lower levels of the building will also be open to the public and be used as event space. The second floor will be home to a beer experience centre, which will be a paid attraction. Above that will be a ‘sky bar’, including a rooftop terrace.

“There are about 100 Belgian brewers co-operation, so it will definitely not be just the biggest players,” explained Gatz. “Our goal is to introduce tourists to the Belgian beer culture. They can then sample the wares in the sky bar or in one of the city’s many cafes.”

But don’t make a reservation just yet. The works will begin this summer, but the new interior isn’t expected to make its debut to the public until 2023.

Photo: ©Olivier van de Ker/VisitBrussels