TRACK – BRUSSELS-NORTH STATION
Brussels, Belgium
JOIN US IN REIMAGINING A HISTORIC SPACE
Witness the rebirth of a railway landmark into a dynamic cultural hub, where industrial heritage meets creative innovation and community resilience thrives.
TRACK, housed in the former Train Museum of Brussels-North Station, stands as a bold response to the area’s complex urban history. The Northern Quarter (Noordwijk) was once a vibrant working-class district until the 1960s “Manhattan Project” erased much of its identity in favor of corporate development. Today, TRACK reclaims this narrative by transforming a forgotten railway relic into a space for art, collaboration, and social reinvention. Nestled between Rue du Brabant’s bustling commerce and Rue d’Aerschot’s gritty contrasts, the project bridges Brussels’ multicultural past with its future—proving that history can be preserved, repurposed, and celebrated.
A Historical Transformation: From Railway Hub to Cultural Center
Brussels-North Station has undergone significant evolution, reflecting broader urban and societal changes:
1835: The Birth of Continental Rail Travel
The Allée Verte/Groendreef station marked a pivotal moment in transportation history as the departure point for continental Europe’s first passenger railway service.
1952: Modernization and Expansion
Designed by architects Paul and Jacques Saintenoy, the current Brussels-North Station opened as a key transportation node, embodying mid-century modernist principles of functionality and efficiency.
2020s: Adaptive Reuse and Community Engagement
The former Train Museum has been repurposed as TRACK, demonstrating how industrial heritage can be preserved through sustainable renovation. By incorporating salvaged materials and hosting cultural programming, the project bridges historical preservation with contemporary urban needs.
This phased development illustrates how infrastructure can evolve to serve new purposes while maintaining connections to its past. The station’s transformation from transit hub to cultural venue represents a thoughtful approach to urban regeneration, balancing historical significance with modern utility.
Explore Our Revitalized Testbed Through Images
