Mortsel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Mortsel officially opens its renovated City Hall this weekend. Mayor Michiel Hubeau and Alderman Hubeau lead the ribbon-cutting. Renovation took 7+ years, €27 million, adding a library, Café Modern, and a multifunctional hall.
As VRT News reported, Mortsel, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, will officially open its renovated town hall this weekend.
“The intention is for it to be an open house for the people of Mortsel,”
says Mayor Michiel Hubeau.
Alderman Hubeau of the Green Party will lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The reopening marks the start of a weekend full of activities for the community. The building now hosts the city library, which has been moved to the town hall. Residents can borrow books or read them on-site.
“Besides the traditional services of a city hall, you’ll find plenty of places here where you can simply enjoy yourself. Previously, city services were spread across four different locations, but now you’ll find them all under one roof.”
What can residents expect at Mortsel’s €27M renovated City Hall this weekend?
The building also features Café Modern. Another major addition is the new multifunctional hall, a space that has been in demand for years. The hall is large and versatile, suitable for quizzes, performances, lectures, and events organised by local associations. It provides a professional and well-equipped environment for community activities.
This weekend, Mortsel residents can visit the newly renovated City Hall and explore every part of the building. Some areas will be closed later. Alderman Mon invited all residents to come and see the improvements for themselves. Inside, parts of the old town hall are still visible, giving a glimpse of its history.
“Nothing was demolished that didn’t need to be demolished. Behind every stone and tile is a story. That’s fun to discover,”
says Hubeau.
“We’re very happy to find our new home here,”
says Karl, an employee at the city of Mortsel.
“It’s especially nice to be able to share a single workspace with all our colleagues. Before that, we were spread across different locations.”
“We find each other very easily here, we can consult with each other more quickly, and we can now do so in a pleasant and bright work environment. I think that’s a positive thing.”
“And now that the library and a city café have also found a home here, we can browse through the books during our lunch break, or grab a coffee with some colleagues. These are added bonuses and make working here even more enjoyable,”
says Karl enthusiastically.
“I never expected the inside to be so much more beautiful than the outside,”
says Eline, who, as a resident of Mortsel, was very curious about the renovation.
“I’ve seen the offices of the aldermen and the mayor. I’m also struck by how wheelchair-friendly the building is. There are a lot of stairs, but the halls and restrooms are all accessible for people with limited mobility.”
“I’m definitely planning to come to the library often. It’s a multifunctional building, so people will likely bump into each other here more often,”
she says enthusiastically.
“The result is impressive, after 100 years,”
he says with a laugh.
“I’ve been coming to the library for years, four times a week. What surprises me is that when you look at the walls, it feels like you’re in a shell. But that’s probably the intention, such a modern style. I’m certainly going to enjoy coming here.”
The festive opening continues throughout the weekend with activities for everyone. The celebrations will end Sunday evening, Nov 23, 2025, with a silent disco. The full renovation of City Hall took more than 7 years and cost €27 million. This is considerably more than the initial budget.
Mortsel City Hall was originally constructed in 1930 to serve as the main municipal building for the city. It had updates with some small renovations in 1965 and 1992; however, by the 2010s, it was noticeable that Mortsel City Hall needed serious renovation and upgrades. The city government initiated a large renovation project in 2016 to restore, modernise, and upgrade the city hall for improved functionality.
