‘Thuis’ Forced to Move After 30 Years as Studio Decays
After three decades in the same location, Flanders’ most beloved soap opera, ‘Thuis’, is being forced to relocate from its iconic Manhattan studio in Leuven. The production will move to a new purpose-built facility in nearby Herent this summer, driven by a leaking roof, poor insulation, and an unexpected resident — a protected pine marten living in the roof space.
The End of an Era
‘Thuis’ (English: “At Home”) has been a cornerstone of Flemish television since its premiere on 23 December 1995, airing weeknights on VRT 1 and regularly attracting 800,000 to 900,000 viewers. The series has filmed at the Manhattan studio in Leuven since 1996, when it moved from VRT’s original Reyerslaan studios in Brussels. The building itself has a storied past — originally a Marie Thumas cannery before becoming a famous discotheque and then a television studio.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the building’s condition has deteriorated to the point where it is no longer viable for modern television production.
Why the Move Became Unavoidable
Peter Bouckaert, Managing and Creative Director of Eyeworks Film & TV Drama, detailed the litany of problems plaguing the aging facility. “The roof leaks, meaning in some rooms a bucket has to be placed to catch rainwater. We’ve even had water damage in the electrical room,” Bouckaert told HLN. “The building owner does patch it up, but the building is clearly finished — at least for the needs of a modern fiction series.”
Adding to the woes, a protected pine marten has taken up residence in the roof. “A marten also lives in the roof, a protected animal that occasionally brings prey inside,” Bouckaert explained. Poor insulation means noise from rain or passing helicopters interferes with recordings, while offices are scattered across the building, forcing staff who need to make phone calls to step outside.
The situation was compounded when the building changed ownership in 2022. The new owner, a project developer, terminated the lease, though a temporary extension allowed production to continue until now.
A New Home in Herent
The production will move to a site on the Mechelsesteenweg in Herent, less than five kilometers from the current studio. The new facility, built on the grounds of a former trucking company, is being developed by project developer ION.
As VRT NWS reported last October, the new studios are designed for the long term. The space — 2,400 square meters, the same total area as the current studio — will be divided into three studios instead of two, offering greater flexibility. The new facility will feature better insulation, solar panels, underfloor heating, consolidated offices, improved costume and makeup departments, and ample parking.
“The new Thuishuis is not bigger, but more comfortable and efficient,” Bouckaert said. The production has also modernized its workflow, switching from multi-camera live cutting to a dual-camera post-production editing system.
No Disruption for Viewers
Despite the massive logistical undertaking — moving all sets, costumes, and technical equipment during the summer break — viewers should notice no difference. Bouckaert revealed that storylines have been planned around the move for two years. “Some stories will be completed just before the move, allowing those characters’ sets to disappear. Other stories will be launched with new sets,” he explained.
The last filming in Leuven is scheduled for the end of June 2026. The move must be completed by 3 August, when the first recording day in the new studios begins after the traditional summer break.
The Outsourcing Controversy
The move is the physical culmination of a controversial decision that reshaped the show’s production. In April 2022, VRT announced it would outsource ‘Thuis’ production as part of cost-saving measures. Eyeworks Film & TV Drama, a Warner Bros. subsidiary, won the contract in November 2022, sparking protests, strikes, and an open letter from cast and crew.
Two former crew members sued VRT over changed working conditions. On 30 April 2026, the Brussels labor court ruled against them, though one received a symbolic €1 in moral damages. Another case is still pending.
Looking Ahead
For the cast and crew, the move represents a fresh start. Bouckaert expressed optimism about the future: “The past 30 years, ‘Thuis’ was recorded in Leuven. We’re now going to a place where we can hopefully continue making ‘Thuis’ for the next 30 years under optimal conditions.”
Koen Demedts of ION, the project developer, emphasized the sustainability focus: “We want to prepare ‘Thuis’ for the future. We ensure gains in production efficiency and focus on sustainability, including better water management and de-paving of the site.”
As the production prepares for its summer relocation, one question remains: what will become of the historic Manhattan studio building, with its rich history as a cannery, discotheque, and television landmark? For now, the focus is firmly on the future — and ensuring that Flanders’ favorite soap opera continues without missing a beat.