Vilvoorde (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – POM Vlaams-Brabant and Vilvoorde plan to revive the former Fobux site near Brussels. Project manager Ilse Demeulenaere seeks entrepreneurs for the redevelopment of the historic 1920–1970 foundry.
As VRT News reported, the Provincial Development Agency of Flemish Brabant (POM Vlaams-Brabant) is working with the city of Vilvoorde to restore the former Fobux site. Ilse Demeulenaere, project manager at POM Flemish Brabant, said the goal is to give the site a new economic future by attracting entrepreneurs.
“We’re primarily looking for entrepreneurs,”
she explained.
“Our ambition is to give the site an economic purpose. But we’re also open to creative and innovative projects that offer social value. We are not looking for developers who want to turn it into a residential complex.”
What plans do POM Vlaams-Brabant and Vilvoorde have for the Fobux site?
According to officials, earlier efforts to bring new life to the building have failed because of high renovation costs. The structure is still good, but the property is little more than an empty shell that needs major upgrades.
“The windows must be replaced, and there is no water or electricity connection,”
Demeulenaere said.
“These are large investments that POM cannot handle alone.”
Due to these limits, POM Flemish Brabant is looking for a financially strong partner to take on the challenge.
The site is located on the edge of Vilvoorde, adjacent to the Brussels border. It was originally the site of Les Fonderies Bruxelloises (Fobux), a metal foundry producing stoves and cookers from the 1920s until 1970. The factory had great significance in the industrial history of this region and employed many local people.
The site had since been a battery factory operated by Exide Technologies, which began operations in 1995. The factory ceased operations at the end of 2016, and the buildings were empty for years. The entire site was bought in late 2021 by the Provinciale Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij Vlaams-Brabant (POM Flemish Brabant), which is now in the process of preparing the site for a new future.
Since then, several plans have been discussed to give the location a new role in the local economy. However, contamination issues, outdated facilities, and the lack of water and electricity have made progress difficult. The 2023 annual report from POM confirmed that the site still faces many challenges but remains a priority for future redevelopment.
