The urban planning saga surrounding the redevelopment of the Tour & Taxis site, along the canal in Brussels, dates back to the 1990s. In the absence of a coherent policy and vision, this strategic area fell into private hands, but the slow progress of the project enabled the regional authorities to impose certain principles.

It was at the start of the 20th century that a large warehouse and a major goods yard were built on the Tour & Taxis site, named after the German-Italian aristocratic family Thurn und Tassis, who once used the land to graze their post horses. It was here that all imports destined for the Brussels metropolitan area were stored and inspected by customs. During the last quarter of the 20th century, the site rapidly lost its significance following the unification of the European market and the growth of road traffic. Faced with the decline in activity at this vast site, what would become of the 45 hectares situated a stone’s throw from the city centre?