European Parliament OKs half a billion-euro renovation for Brussels parliament building

The European Parliament bureau – the parliament’s president, 14 vice-presidents and five treasurers – took the final decision on 11 December. The Paul-Henri Spaak Building, where plenary sessions are held, will be renovated. The news has been confirmed by the European Parliament's press service. The proposal was approved unanimously.

Renovation is necessary because the building, which is only 30 years old, no longer meets current standards. For instance, the building is not sufficiently safe should an attack occur. Energy standards are also not met. It is cold, there are water leaks and there are problems with the roof. The technical installations and facades also need a major overhaul.

455 million euros

Europe is now releasing €455 million for the renovation. In addition to the construction costs themselves, which amount to around €350 million, another 30 per cent in overheads are envisaged: the cost of design, experts, consultancy, coordination, risk and general costs. Which adds up to €455 million.

This is a cheaper option than the renovation project from JDS Architects that came out tops in a European competition.  It provided for a transparent roof garden. Parliament eventually decided not to go with that option.

French resistance

The decision was delayed for a long time because Strasbourg, home of that other European Parliament building, opposed the renovation. The Social Democrat group was also very apprehensive, worried about a perception of a money-hungry European Parliament, but the decision has been made.

Alain Hutchinson, Brussels commissioner for Europe, is highly pleased: "The bureau has finally decided!", he told Brussels media outlet BRUZZ. "This offers a very good perspective in Brussels, and it confirms the anchoring of the European Parliament here in Brussels."

"The formula chosen is also a good one as the building will be renovated rather than demolished and rebuilt. This will be done in successive stages which will minimise the unavailability of the Brussels chamber and, last but not least, the whole operation will cost much less than the projects that emerged from the original architectural competition."

The European Parliament press office also confirmed that the renovation works will not interfere with the plenary sessions. "They will have no impact on the presence of staff, assistants or MEPs in Brussels, nor on the Brussels city economy."

2025 to 2030

The preparations will start next year, with the works themselves starting from 2027 and lasting until 2030, the European Parliament press service says. "No building permit application has yet been submitted to us" says the office of the Brussels Town Planning secretary.

The bureau's decision now has to pass the budget committee, where the proposal must pass a vote.