Renovations on the front facade of the Brussels Palace of Justice are nearing a milestone, with the central section recently completed and the right side finished in May 2025. According to Vanessa Matz, Minister of Public Action and Modernization, the entire front facade is expected to be clear of scaffolding by this summer, marking the conclusion of the project’s first phase.
Current Status and Ongoing Improvements
Work is now focused on the building’s left wing, which will feature the installation of a platform lift to improve accessibility for people with reduced mobility. The Regie des Batiments reports that the project also includes restoring the palace’s bronze doors and four statues located on the main staircase. Additionally, a new grille is being manufactured to match the historical design removed during the interwar period.
The Palace of Justice has been obscured by metal scaffolding for so long that an entire generation of Belgians, including those currently 40 years old, has never seen the building without it.
Future Phases and Long-Term Planning
Following the completion of the front facade, the project will move into its second phase, focusing on the facades at the base of the dome. This work is likely to begin by early 2027, as the Regie des Batiments is currently preparing the necessary public contracts. Subsequent phases will target the facades along Rue de Wynants, Rue aux Laines, and Rue des Minimes.
While the exterior restoration is scheduled to conclude by 2035, the building’s utility remains in flux. The completion of a feasibility study for interior renovations suggests that the site may remain an active construction zone for the foreseeable future, even after the exterior scaffolding finally comes down.
Project Timeline and Scope
The comprehensive restoration of the exterior is slated for completion by 2035. Beyond these four external phases, the government has already finalized a feasibility study aimed at the eventual restoration and interior redesign of the structure, indicating that the current exterior work is only the beginning of a broader modernization effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the front of the Palace of Justice be finished?
The right and central sections are complete, and the entire front facade is expected to be finished by this summer.
What happens after the front facade is finished?
The project moves to the second phase, which involves restoring the facades at the base of the dome, with work expected to start in 2027.
Will the construction end in 2035?
The exterior work is expected to be finished by 2035, but an interior restoration and redesign study has already been finalized, suggesting further work may follow.
How do you think the removal of the long-standing scaffolding will change the perception of the city’s skyline?
