Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Restoration of Hall 9 in Leuven has started, turning the historic railway hall into a new youth centre with studios and a covered play and sports zone, set for completion in 2031.
As VRT News reported, restoration work is now underway at Hall 9 in Leuven. They mentioned that the restoration of Hall 9 will protect the building’s original structure. The steel frame, the wooden parts and the brick walls will all be repaired. The team wants to preserve as much of the old material as possible. Modern updates will be added.
How Will Leuven’s Historic Hall 9 Transform into a Youth Hub with €17M Upgrade?
The project also brings major energy upgrades. Heat pumps and solar panels will be installed, and an underground system will store heat and cool air so the hall can act as a small energy source. The Monument group is carrying out the work. The city is investing €17 million and is receiving support from the Flemish government.
“It will be the new children’s and youth hub in Leuven,”
says Alderman for Youth Liesbeth Vandermeeren (CD&V).
“An open, welcoming space where they can discover, learn, invent, and create. We’re collaborating with educational partners and providing space for leisure time, holiday activities, and a dedicated teen hub.”
“A space where young people can discover, learn, invent and create.”
Liesbeth Vandermeeren, Youth Councillor
“We’re bringing together heritage, sustainability, and social value. We’re preserving the soul of this iconic building, but giving it a future-oriented purpose. This hall will not only generate energy, but also give it energy to young people, families, and the entire neighbourhood,”
says Alderman Dirk Vansina (CD8V)
The historic hall dates back to 1863, when it was built as an engine workshop for the Central Workshops of the Belgian railways. It was a key site where locomotives were repaired and maintained, and its structure reflects the practical style of 19th-century railway buildings.
After the Second World War, Hall 9 was rebuilt with materials taken from the former Grand Central Belge railway company. This gave the hall a rare mix of elements from different railway periods. The building is now a protected monument, and the new restoration aims to secure the structure, preserve its industrial look, and ready it for future use.
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