Brussels’ Hotel Métropole, situated in the city centre at the Place De Brouckère, is currently undergoing renovation works and is scheduled to reopen at the end of 2025. The hotel has been around since 1895 but had to close its doors in 2020, amongst others because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, the institution was bought by the Lone Star Fund and Centaurus Hospitality Management, who are now doing everything they can to restore the hotel to its former glory.
Built at the end of the nineteenth century, the Métropole building is a mixture of different styles. The Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements are just some that have influenced its current lay-out, which greatly evolved over the years. Now, the Brussels government’s Urban agency, the cultural heritage department and architectural firm Arter are joining forces to renovate the Métropole. Many of the building’s features, including the façade, the lower floors, the stairwell and Art Deco furniture by Adrien Blomme have been listed and therefore demand special attention.
The Métropole is ready for a facelift, while we will respect the character and main features of its interior.
Philippe Close, Mayor of the City of Brussels City
“Thanks to a restoration and renovation program that combines respect for heritage and contemporary challenges, the Hotel Métropole will experience a true rebirth,” Brussels secretary of state for town planning and heritage Ans Persoons explained. “Thanks to its history and its heritage features, a combination of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Modern Style, this hotel is one of the legendary monuments of 19th-century Europe and it still contributes to our collective identity today.”
During the works, all 267 rooms in the building will be renovated but that’s not all. A new spa, including a hammam, sauna, changing rooms and 90-square-metre pool will be added, as well as a small gym. Moreover, the façade will be insulated and the windows will be replaced, all while keeping with the building’s historical look. Even though many of the roofs will stay unchanged (yet repaired), 2,073 square metres of green roof space will be added to make the hotel more sustainable.
