The historic Sint-Gorikshallen in the heart of Brussel is to return to its original function as an indoor market. The not-for-profit group that manages the building that was constructed in the early 1880s hopes that soon it will house numerous stalls that will sell local specialties such Geuze beer, black pudding and Brussels cheese.
The Head of Patrimonium and Culture, the not-for-profit organisation that manages the Sint-Gorikshallen Thierry Wauters hopes that it will become a hotspot for Brussels culinary culture. Mr Wauters promises that it will be somewhere for everyone, not just hipsters.
The plan is to return the entire ground floor of the magnificent neo-Flemish Renaissance building to its original function as a market similar to the Marché des Enfants Rouges in Parijs or the Markthal in Rotterdam. In order to achieve this 9 traders are being sought. The will sell either food to eat at home (bakers, butchers, cheese shop,…) or prepared food to take away (sandwich shop). All the stall will sell products that are produced in Brussels or the surrounding area.
The aim is to find local “artisan” traders rather than the big names found elsewhere. Mr Wauters says that what he has in mind for the Sint-Gorikshallen is not comparable to a “food market” such as Wolf or Fox.
“The aim is really to showcase intangible heritage by restoring the hall (built in 1881) to its original function. We want to offer traditional Brussels dishes and all stalls must also offer goods at affordable prices. It won't be anything too posh”, Mr Wauters told the Brussels regional news platform Bruzz.
He also points to the lack of local shops in the neighbourhood and says that the aim is to fill the gap and to make it easy for local residents to pop in for groceries and mingle with passers-by or tourists that come to buy a sandwich, have a drink or simply admire the building.
Mr Wauters cannot yet say who the stall holders will be. The aim is for the market to open by March 2026. A building permit has already been granted. In time, he also aims to organise a weekly market around on the square around the Sint-Gorikshallen.
In recent years, the Saint-Gorikshallen have housed an information and exhibition centre dedicated to the (material) heritage of Brussels. This will continue on the second floor and in the basement of the halls.