Schoten (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Schoten, Belgium is building a new town centre with a theatre (300 seats), party hall, brasserie, and café. Construction, led by Alderman Paul De Swaef, finishes in 2026, opening in the summer of 2027.
Schoten, Belgium is building a town centre. The town recently held a ceremony to mark the start of construction for the new buildings on the Marktplein. This project started a year ago with the demolition of the old buildings. The town official in charge of historic buildings said a new floor will be added every 3 months.
He mentioned that if everything goes according to plan, the building will be finished by the end of the year. The project is about more than just building new things. He said it’s also about keeping Schoten’s culture and community spirit alive. The town wants to make sure the Marktplein remains a place where everyone can come together.
“From now on, you will be able to see that a floor is added every three months. The shell should be there by the end of the year,”
Says Alderman for Heritage Paul De Swaef.
When will Schoten’s new town centre open with theatre and café?
Local art students decorated the first stone laid for the new buildings. They used bold colours inspired by the famous artist Henri Matisse, turning the stone into a piece of public art. Officials mentioned that Schoten’s new buildings will include a large theatre hall that can hold 300 people. This space will be used for performances, events, and meetings.
Alderman Paul De Swaef mentioned that theatre is important for Schoten’s cultural identity. The new buildings will also have a party hall, a brasserie, and a café. These spaces will offer residents and visitors places to meet, eat, and celebrate.
“The theatre hall will be the heart of the building with room for 300 people,”
Says De Swaef.
The new development will also have rooms for the Academy and the Harmonie. The building can hold up to 1,000 people. Construction is expected to be finished by the end of 2026, with the final interior details being added. According to Alderman De Swaef, the goal is to open the venue by the summer of 2027.
“Then the finishing touches will be added to the inside of the building and we would like to open it by the summer of 2027,”
Says the alderman.
