Second phase of the NEO Brussels launched

The existing national stadium is next to the Atomium the center piece of the area of NEO Brussels, the urban transformation project of KCAP.  Renovation of the stadium is a radical shift in policy. Previously, the city intended to build a new football stadium on the nearby Parking C area. The city announced yesterday that these plans are now cancelled. The masterplan designed by KCAP, in collaboration with ARUP and Fakton, anticipated on four possible scenarios for the stadium: the renovation of the existing venue, a downsizing of the stadium, a newly built stadium at the same location, as well as the demolition of the stadium. In case of demolition and replacement by a new stadium at a different location, the site would be transformed.It is remarkable and in line with the flexibility that KCAP’s urban concepts offer, that the masterplan’s robustness allows for such a change in policy. Especially since the first and second stage of NEO development are already in planning. The first stage is the Europea project by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield/CFE/Besix, a retail center with cinema, leisure, a roof garden and housing. The second stage comprises of a 5.000-seat congress center with hotel, designed by Jean Nouvel. Meanwhile, also the sportspark is being transformed, following the design of Omgeving and Zwarts&Jansma.  The decision to keep the stadium in place is a tribute to the heritage of this site. The first stadium on this location was inaugurated in 1930 and this is the next step in a succession of transformations. The stadium is very well accessible by public transport with two metro stations. When renovated, it will offer an amazing sports and event infrastructure for the city of Brussels. Especially in combination with the adjacent trade fair facilities, the Palais 12 concert venue and the future congress center.Find here more info about the NEO ...

With the winning competition design for the international Convention center and Hotel by the consortium with CFE / Cofinimmo together with Ateliers Jean Nouvel, the second phase of NEO Brussels is taking shape. KCAP, masterplanner of the entire NEO Brussels project, is excited about the progress and the development of a high-quality Convention center. KCAP’s NEO Brussels masterplan prescribes the redevelopment of the Heysel Plateau, one of the most strategic locations in the Brussels Metropole Region. The urban design aims to strengthen the significance of the Heysel and to define it within a framework for sustainable development. The combined Convention center and Hotel will be a valuable anchor within the masterplan that extends the programmatic diversity of the urban development. Its location will tie together Brussels Expo with the larger collection of attractions and natural surroundings. The Convention center as a destination is supported by the high-quality public transport connections proposed in the masterplan and fits within the sustainability strategy of the larger development. The design likewise respects the historic nature of the context, the importance of the Atomium and the vital connectivity of the pedestrian and public space networks created in the masterplan. KCAP supervised the design development during the tender procedure and advised the client (NEO scrl whose shareholding is held by the City of Brussels and the Brussels-Capital Region) during the different dialogue phases. This was conducted in the context of a multi-disciplinary tender team in which experts from the fields of design, engineering, sustainability, legal and financial aspects closely worked with the client to achieve the best possible result. The winning design has been presented by Jean Nouvel on Friday, September 7th, 2018 during a press conference in Brussels.

Brussels will be one of 13 host cities of the Euro 2020 soccer championship. This was announced today by UEFA. A new stadium will be realized in Brussels to accommodate the event. The Eurostadium will be built on parking C within KCAP’s masterplan. After the tournament it will serve as stadium for the Belgian Rode Duivels and RSCA Anderlecht. KCAP, in cooperation with Arup and Deloitte and assigned by the city of Brussels, has prepared the bid book of Brussels for Euro 2020. Currently, KCAP is involved on behalf of the city of Brussels in the tender procedure in which 3 candidates compete for the commission. The final selection is expected in the beginning of 2015. The stadium will be realized by 2019.

On April 25, the Brussels City Council announced the awarding of the public contract for the first part of NEO Brussels on the Heysel Plateau. The construction of 590 homes, a shopping centre and a new leisure infrastructure has been entrusted to the Unibail-Rodamco / CFE / Besix consortium which was selected above two other competitors. The masterplan for NEO Brussels is designed by KCAP in collaboration with Arup and Fakton. The team has also consulted the city of Brussels during the tender procedure. The work should be able to commence in 2017. More information of this first part of NEO can be found on the project website of 'Europea'.

Last week, king Filip and queen Mathilde of Belgium made their joyous entry in Brussels. After a reception in the Brussel's Parliament they went to the main market (Grote Markt) and the city hall. There a few current topics about Brussels’ region were presented, one of them KCAP’s urban regeneration project NEO Brussels.

On Monday 7th May 2012 the local council of the City of Brussels decided to launch the two procurement contracts which constitute the second phase of the NEO project (redevelopment of the Heyzel Plateau as a strategic centre for international development in Brussels).   See [[file:tweedefaseneo]] for more information.