Ancienne Royale Belge

The former Royale Belge headquarters in Watermael-Boitsfort (Brussels) is a functionalist office landmark inaugurated in 1970. Designed by René Stapels and Pierre Dufau, its cross-shaped plan (inspired in part by Eero Saarinen’s John Deere HQ) totals about 54,000 m² and features Corten steel with bronze-tinted glazing, set within landscaped ponds and greenery. After years of ownership changes and an abandoned U.S. embassy plan, it was protected and fully rehabilitated (completed 2023) into a mixed-use hub—offices, food court, hotel, spa, coworking—winning major awards in 2024.