Aalst (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Aalst belfry, a UNESCO site, is being renovated by Artes Woudenberg. Main upgrades include insulation, fire safety, and an elevator. Opening planned in 2027, says Aldermen Blommaert and De Meerleer.
As VRT News reported, the famous Aalst belfry, where the city council usually meets, is being renovated. Because of the work, the council has moved to a service centre on the Dender’s right bank. The company Artes Woudenberg is doing the work, mainly focusing on the interior of the building.
They said that the purpose of the belfry is to ease the use, save energy, accomplish safety, and all while making the structure beautiful in keeping with the historical look. While there will be some cosmetic work on the outside, most of the changes will be on the inside. This work will entail putting in additional windows for better insulation, insulating the attic, and changing the heating and ventilation systems.
When will the renovated Aalst belfry reopen to the public?
According to officials, the Aalst belfry renovation goes beyond just saving energy. It includes important fire safety improvements, like adding fire barriers on every floor. They’re also fixing a long-standing damp problem in the cellar to protect the building. Making the space easier to get around for people with disabilities is part of the plan, but the exact details are still unknown.
They stated there would be challenges with the project due to the location of the belfry in the middle of the Grote Markt, a public gathering place for large events like the Aalst Carnival, as well as a Christmas market.
The official mentioned that construction on the belfry should be constructed during good planning, so it will not cause problems during these significant events. After the project is completed, the belfry will be a preserved historical feature, as well as a modern, environmentally friendly building finished and ready for the future.
“It takes a lot of planning to move the yard facilities. These are major works, because there will also be a lift on the three floors”,
Says alderman Maarten Blommaert (N-VA).
The Aalst belfry’s outside work will keep going until the summer of 2026. People will see scaffolding on the Kattestraat side until November 2025. Then, in March 2026, they are going to relocate the scaffolding to the other side, the side facing the Grote Markt. They’re cleaning the old stone, repairing it, strengthening the building, and enhancing its appearance, because it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After working on the exterior finishes, they will start to work on the interiors of the Aalst belfry, so that everyone can get around easily. They are going to install a new elevator so that people can finally access the top floor of the city hall.
It’s currently open only occasionally, but once the work is finished, it will be open 12 months a year for visitors. Alderman Caroline De Meerleer said the building will transition from a building that people just look at to a building they need to visit. It is expected to open in 2027.
