Architecture in the Canal district

A visit to the Anderlecht Abattoir is a truly unique experience... unless you're a vegetarian! The industrial complex, in the Flemish neo-Renaissance style, was opened in 1890. In addition to the entrance gate and two entry kiosks, the site includes the vast 10,000m² covered market, several cattle sheds or remnants of cattle sheds and the administrative offices. (24 rue Ropsy Chaudron)

Head north-east to reach the site of the Tour à Plomb, which, from 1832, was an prominent site for lead production. The famous tower, built in 1898, is the last of its kind in Belgium and one of the last in Western Europe. It was in this very tower that, using a well-established process, lead was manufactured for shotguns. Today, the site houses a cultural and sports centre. (24 rue de l’Abattoir)

Next, we're sticking with the food and drink theme, but this time it’s all about beer! The buildings of the former Belle Vue brewery along the canal were built in 1916. This gigantic brick block, typical of Brussels' industrial heritage, still bears traces of its history on the facade, with terms like "malterie" (malt house) visible. These buildings have been repurposed and now house two hotels (one of which is the first passive hotel in Brussels). (33 quai du Hainaut)

Back to the metal industry with the site known as La Fonderie. The buildings on this site were built in the 19th century, in two phases. Occupied by two different factories, one of which produced, among other things, railway equipment, while the other, Compagnie des Bronzes, was the only one in Brussels to produce artistic pieces. You'll find evidence of the industrial era everywhere, whether in the park or inside the buildings, which now house the Brussels Museum of Industry and Work. (27 rue Ransfort)

Taking a brief break from industrial architecture, we head to the municipal square of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, to see the town hall. Constructed in 1886-1887 in an eclectic style, it stands prominently on the square with its distinctive dome and angular facade. (15a place Communale)

Just a few steps away, the Church of Saint John the Baptist has stood on this site since the 1930s. Its architect, Joseph Diongre, also designed the former National Radio Institute (INR) on place Flagey and the town hall in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. He chose the Art Deco style, which was very much in vogue at the time. The simple and elegant building features clean, geometric lines. Inside, you'll discover unexpected elegance, with its visible load-bearing structure in the form of massive reinforced concrete parabolic arches, smooth concrete walls and beautiful stained-glass windows.  The reinforced concrete structure is reminiscent of other churches like Saint Suzanne in Schaerbeek and Saint Augustine in Forest. (parvis Saint-Jean-Baptiste)

Let's head back towards the canal, crossing it and stopping for a moment in front of the Caserne du Petit-Château: welcome to medieval Britain! This former infantry barracks was built between 1848 and 1852 in the neo-Tudor style. This austere and imposing building doesn't exude much warmth. Since 1986, the site has been home to a reception centre for political refugees. (27 boulevard du Neuvième de Ligne)

Continue north along the canal. You'll soon arrive at Square Sainctelette, and your eyes will be drawn to a building with a curved facade: the former Société belge des automobiles Citroën, more commonly known as the "Citroën garage". With its 16,500m², this complex, built in 1933-1934 in the modernist style, was for many years the largest car garage in Europe. It combines metal, glass and concrete. Today, the site is home to Kanal-Centre Pompidou, a centre dedicated to modern and contemporary art. (21 square Sainctelette - 7 place de l’Yser)

Cross the canal again to reach the Tour & Taxis site. This vast industrial complex was built between 1900 and 1907. For almost a century, the site was the central hub for the transit of goods on the outskirts of the capital. All the buildings, including the Gare Maritime and the Royal Depot, are inspired by the Art Nouveau style. Today, the restored facilities house residential units, shops, workspaces and, of course, host major events. (86c avenue du Port)

Let's conclude our itinerary with a short tour of the city’s northern district. This area has had a unique history: in the 1960s, the entire district was the subject of the infamous Manhattan Plan, championed by the famous Paul Vanden Boeynants. What are we talking about? The plan aimed to demolish 53 hectares of urban fabric to recreate a New York-style business district in Brussels, complete with urban highways and heliport. Here it's what is known as "Brusselisation". While the plan originally envisioned 54 glass towers, only three glass towers were built and only one remains today, the World Trade Center III, along boulevard Simon Bolivar. The modernist Brussels North Station, built between 1938 and 1956, was spared during the redevelopment project. (30 boulevard Simon Bolivar and 80 rue du Progrès)

Worth the detour: a little way off our route, the Docks Bruxsel shopping centre opened in 2016. Did you know that this shopping centre partially occupies late 19th-century industrial buildings? The initiative was the brainchild of Godin, the entrepreneur who invented the stove that still bears his name today. On the site, you'll see an old, brick warehouse, which houses the Godin Museum on its 3rd floor. Right next to the industrial site itself, stands Godin's Familistère which provided accommodation for families, an idea developed by Godin. (1 boulevard Lambermont, or 163 quai des Usines)