Bruges (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Bruges city council approved ION’s Sint-Pieters project with 5 buildings from 4 to 9 stories, including retail, offices, 125 above-ground and 155 underground parking spaces and a renovated slaughterhouse pavilion.
As VRT News reported, the city council of Bruges has granted approval for a new residential and retail development at the old slaughterhouse site in Sint-Pieters. Developer ION has submitted 2 applications for permits: one for dividing and one for demolishing the old slaughterhouse. Both applications are now approved.
The plan includes 2 building clusters with 5 buildings ranging from 4 to 9 stories. The ground floors will have retail spaces, including an interior design store and a supermarket. The permit mentions a possible Jumbo store, but the supermarket chain has not confirmed its participation. The project will also include small offices.
What’s next for Bruges’ Sint-Pieters Slaughterhouse redevelopment?
The plan keeps the original slaughterhouse front building. This building will be repurposed as a community pavilion containing restaurants and cafés. Officials noted that the design features a novel building design and a focus on preserving the history of the site.
During the public consultation process for the 2 permit applications, 5 objections were put forward. Residents and stakeholders indicated concerns about traffic, noise, and parking service pressure in the Sint-Pieters area.
The city reviewed these concerns. Officials concluded that the environmental impact had been studied in detail. They also determined that disruption to the neighbourhood would be limited once construction begins.
The project plan includes parking solutions for both retail visitors and residents. There will be 125 above-ground parking spaces for the shops and 155 underground spaces for people living in the new buildings.
According to the developer, construction would start in early in the year. It should take 3 to 4 years to complete the project. Neighbours opposed to the application can still appeal the decision at the municipality, even with the permit approved.
The former slaughterhouse site in Sint-Pieters, Bruges, has been empty for over 3 years. In Brussels, the Abattoir site in Anderlecht, established in 1888, was redeveloped starting in 2008. The old slaughterhouse was transformed into a mixed-use area with housing, shops, public spaces, and cultural facilities. The redevelopment preserved the industrial heritage while creating a vibrant neighbourhood.
