Belgium

Our real estate experts know the market values and rental values of each of Belgium’s main real estate markets, including Brussels. At the centre European Union, Brussels is both a major tourist and business destination. Brussels Airport passenger traffic reached 21.8 million in 2016. The city’s business district, “Quartier Nord,” is home to Belgium’s tallest skyscrapers, a shopping mall and several international chain hotels. The city is connected to most major European capitals via the North railway station In addition, the city centre of Brussels is easily accessible by public transport: train, tram, metro, bus and water taxis connect the surrounding suburbs to the city’s main business districts. The Gare du Midi neighbourhood, home to the city’s international railway station, has long attracted international occupiers, investors and banks thanks to the government’s extensive renewal efforts in the area. 2018 will see the arrival of a significant amount of new public space, a renovated transport hub (L’Esplanade de l’Europe) and the construction of a number of mixed use buildings in the area. These elements contribute to property value in the Brussels property market.

In addition, Brussels has an urban revitalisation programme in place to increase the number of sustainable neighbourhoods in the city. The programme has successfully increased the number of public spaces and has succeeded in converting different parts of the city into affordable housing and commercial property, from Place Fernand cocq plein and Germoir Muiteru to Chausse de Wavre.

Our property experts in Belgium are able to estimate the property value of your assets across Flanders Province, which includes the city centres, Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp. The region encompasses 45% of Belgium's total territory. It is an important logistics and retail hub.

Major multinational automotive companies are active within its borders. In addition, the Flemish economy is heavily based on SMEs that supply those companies. In recent years, urban renewal projects have transformed the region’s capital and largest city, Ghent. Renovation** in the city of Ghent includes housing, renovation of docks at Handelsdok Oost as well as new pedestrian and cycle bridges and mixed housing projects such as Skipper’s Quay. The Skipper’s Quay project combines residential, neighbourhood parks and public facilities. Neighbouring Vilvoorde has also had its Watersite district renewed to enhance the city’s waterfront promenade along the Zenne river banks.

Furthermore, neighbouring Antwerp is a major logistics hub thanks to the Port of Antwerp, one of the largest in Europe. The port covers 12,068 hectares***, and accepts a wide variety of goods: from liquid and dry bulk to container cargo and break-bulk. Its location in the centre of mainland Europe makes it an attractive port for European trade. The city is also home to a historic diamond district (Diamantkwartier), where over 300 workshops provide diamond selling, sculpting and cutting services to international clients.

Whether you’re an occupier, bank or investor, our property experts are ready to answer all of your questions about the Belgian property market.
 

*Source: World Bank
*Source: Congrès Brussels
***Source: Portofantwerp.com