Brussels Launches Ambitious Sablon Square Redevelopment

The City of Brussels has officially launched a major transformation project for the Sablon district, one of the capital’s most historic and prestigious neighborhoods. Announced on May 26, 2026, by Alderman for Urban Planning Anaïs Maes (Vooruit), the redevelopment aims to turn the iconic square into “a living, welcoming, and accessible place for all,” with a strong emphasis on greening, pedestrian and cyclist comfort, and preserving the area’s unique character, as reported by La Libre Belgique.

A Historic Neighborhood at a Crossroads

The Sablon is one of Brussels’ oldest quarters, dating back to the 13th century when it was a marshy meadow outside the city’s first walls. From 1320 to 1754, the Grand Sablon served as a horse market, known as “Peerdemerct.” Over centuries, it evolved into an aristocratic enclave, then declined, and experienced a revival in the 1960s and 70s when antique dealers displaced from the Mont des Arts moved in — a process that coined the local term “sablonisation,” Brussels’ own word for gentrification, according to Wikipedia.

Today, the neighborhood is a refined blend of art galleries, antique dealers, master chocolatiers, and luxury boutiques including Rolex and Tag Heuer, with a Hermès boutique expected to open soon. The nearby “Lebeau” project is transforming the former Belgacom site into high-end apartments, further cementing the area’s upscale character.

A Participatory Approach to Urban Renewal

Rather than imposing a top-down plan, the City of Brussels has chosen an extensive participatory process. A public survey has been launched for residents, shopkeepers, and users, followed by social cartography, stakeholder meetings, and ultimately a citizens’ jury convening throughout 2027. The final project is expected in 2028, with construction not anticipated before 2030, as detailed by BX1.

“We know that many interests are at stake, from residents to passersby, from restaurateurs to antique dealers. That’s what makes the Sablon so unique,” said Frederik Ceulemans (Anders), Alderman for Citizen Participation. “That’s why we have chosen a participatory approach, in which all stakeholders will be brought together in due time to develop a project supported by all.”

The Parking Dilemma: Mobility vs. Heritage

The most contentious issue is the central parking lot on the Grand Sablon. A survey of 600 people found that 89% want to enhance the heritage, but a quarter want to maintain car access for customers. According to 7sur7, a December 2025 memorandum found that only 17% of Sablon customers arrived by car, while 43% used public transport, and the rest came on foot or by bicycle.

Anaïs Maes has been clear: without removing the central parking, “we won’t have much to redevelop,” noting that thousands of parking spaces already exist nearby. The liberal MR party, which initially proposed a more conservative plan in March 2026, advocates for partial pedestrianization that maintains car traffic around the square.

Political Dynamics and Broader Context

The project reveals interesting cross-community dynamics in Brussels’ complex governance. Anaïs Maes (Vooruit, Flemish socialist) holds the Urban Planning portfolio and favors ambitious transformation. David Weytsman (MR, Francophone liberal) initially proposed a more conservative approach reflecting business concerns. Frederik Ceulemans (Anders, Brussels green party) emphasizes the participatory dimension.

The Sablon redevelopment is part of a larger urban transformation of Brussels’ historic center, following the pedestrian zone transformation, developments around Rue de la Régence and Place Royale, and major projects like Tour & Taxis’ Lake Side development. As Maes told La Libre Belgique: “After the transformation of the pedestrian zone and its surroundings, a coherent urban vision is taking shape. The redevelopment of the Sablon is fully part of this dynamic.”

What Lies Ahead

The project’s dual ambition — honoring the past while embracing the future — will be tested in the coming years. The integration of a contemporary art piece alongside heritage preservation, the fate of the weekly antique market, and the balance between luxury development and the area’s historic character all remain open questions.

With the participatory process running through 2027 and construction not expected until around 2030, Brussels residents will have ample opportunity to shape the future of one of their most beloved squares. The outcome will serve as a bellwether for how historic European cities can reconcile heritage preservation, sustainable mobility, and the demands of modern urban life.