Brussels Activists Revive Dexia Building as Cultural Hub
A group of young Brussels residents active in the cultural sector is breathing new life into the former Dexia headquarters building in the heart of the Belgian capital. The new sociocultural space, named Hexagon, will open its doors on Saturday, September 5, with a grand celebration, according to RTBF.
The initiative revives the space previously occupied by the Reset Club, which was forced to close in late November 2025 after the City of Brussels reduced its subsidy by more than 80% due to budgetary constraints. The project is entirely financed by private funds, primarily by Willem Langlet, one of the initiators and coordinator of Hexagon.
A New Chapter for a Landmark Building
The De Ligne building, designed by architect Marcel Lambrichts, was the former headquarters of Dexia bank. Located on a triangular plot at the junction of Rue Montagne de l’Oratoire, Rue de Ligne, and Rue de la Banque, it sits between the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula and Brussels’ administrative core. The building spans 33,000 m², of which approximately 5,000-6,000 m² have been made accessible for the cultural project.
After Dexia’s dismantling following the 2008 financial crisis, the building was left vacant. In February 2016, the City of Brussels purchased it for 27 million euros to house the central police station for the Brussels Capital-Ixelles police zone, as reported by RTBF at the time. The renovation project, designed by B-architecten and Osar architects, aims to transform the building into a modern police center of 35,240 m², housing 1,837 police officers and administrative staff, according to Bruxelles City News.
The Legacy of Reset
Reset was a temporary cultural occupation project operated by Arty Farty Brussels, which won a call for projects by the City of Brussels for temporary cultural use of the building while awaiting its transformation into a police station. During its three years of operation, Reset hosted over 250 events with more than 150,000 visitors, including concerts, exhibitions, theatre plays, conferences, debates, and club nights.
The venue was known for its alternative electronic music programming and its inclusive, low-cost events. It also housed the Reset Atelier (visual arts space), Reset Studios (music production studios), and the Abrupt Festival.
However, the Reset Club was forced to close after the City of Brussels reduced its subsidy by over 80%. Mayor Philippe Close confirmed the closure, saying the decision “breaks my heart,” but emphasized that “our current budgetary situation is extremely difficult,” as reported by BX1.
The closure was part of a broader “nightlife crisis” in Brussels, with several other iconic venues also closing or announcing closures around the same period. According to The Brussels Times, the crisis was driven by public funding cuts, real estate pressures, stringent regulations, and a decrease in purchasing power affecting ticket sales.
Hexagon: A New Vision
With the creation of Hexagon, the initiators hope to “maintain affordable nights” for Brussels residents. The development of a music studio space occupies a central place in the project. The programming will include concerts, club nights, film screenings, conferences, and exhibitions.
“In our financial plan, we anticipate revenues from collaboration with major partners through B2B contracts,” Langlet explained. “Companies will be able to organize events there. The revenues thus generated are immediately reinvested in Hexagon’s social activities and its long-term development.”
Hexagon aims to become a place where Brussels artists can develop their projects. “Creators in precarious situations or without papers will have the opportunity with us to develop and present their own project,” Langlet added, as reported by La Libre.
A Temporary Home
The project is temporary by design. After 2027, the De Ligne building will become the headquarters of the Brussels police force. However, the new concept will be able to remain in the space until then.
Dorian Meeus, founder of Reset and artistic director of Arty Farty, had previously expressed concern about the broader implications of the closures. “There will always be an alternative and underground scene in Brussels, even without a budget,” he told The Brussels Times. “The public will always support it, but we can no longer occupy spaces that impose too many costs.”
Morgan Loge, project manager at Brussels by Night, warned that “if nothing changes, there is absolutely a risk of more closures.” The emergence of Hexagon, privately funded and community-driven, represents a creative response to these structural challenges.
What to Watch For
As Brussels continues to grapple with its nightlife crisis, the success of Hexagon will be closely watched by cultural actors across the city. The project’s hybrid model—combining private funding, B2B partnerships, and social programming—could offer a blueprint for sustaining cultural spaces in a challenging economic environment.
The grand opening on September 5 will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the landmark building, even if it remains a temporary one. For now, the former banking headquarters will once again pulse with music, art, and community life in the heart of Brussels.