You’ve probably walked past it a hundred times without being able to go inside. After years of construction fences, cranes, and rumors, Kanal-Centre Pompidou finally has a date: November 28, 2026. And judging by what’s taking shape behind the windows of the former Citroën garage, the wait was worth it.
A 1934 Citroën dealership transformed into a cathedral of art
You’re familiar with the building: that immense glass structure overlooking Place Sainctelette, along the canal. Built in 1934 by architect Maurice-Jacques Ravazé, it was used to assemble and sell cars. Purchased by the Brussels Region, it was entrusted toAtelier Kanal —a trio comprising noAarchitecten (Brussels), EM2N (Zurich), and Sergison Bates (London)—under a rather lovely motto: “a stage for Brussels.” The result: 40,000 m², five levels of galleries, and a bill of 230 million euros, fully funded by the Region. The international press is already calling it Brussels’ future Tate Modern. We’ll see… but it certainly has the makings of one.
20,000 m² that you can enter for free
It’s the detail that makes all the difference—and it’s not getting enough attention… Half of the building —about 20,000 m²—will be open to the public free of charge. “The focal point will be the free public spaces,” summarizes Executive Director Yves Goldstein. Ten exhibitions will require an admission fee, spread across fourteen spaces. The rest of the building, you’ll be able to wander through just as you would in a train station or a library. These open areas will feature a library, a bakery, a print shop, seven filtered water fountains, a free coat check, and a quiet room. Brussels residents will also be eligible for subsidized memberships.
Ten exhibitions, a playground, and a rooftop open until midnight
On opening day, ten exhibitions will launch simultaneously. The centerpiece, “A Truly Immense Journey, ” brings together more than 350 works from the Centre Pompidou and will run through January 2028. Next door, “No Show” brings together some twenty Brussels-based artists focused on performance and sound; an installation by Nigerian artist Otobong Nkanga is on view in the building; and an exhibition explores Citroën’s colonial propaganda from 1925… A bold move, given the location. As for the rest: an indoorplayground designed by the London-based collective Assemble, a gourmet restaurant (Jeanne), a brasserie with a terrace overlooking the water (Carrosserie), and a rooftop bar open until midnight.
A fire nearly ruined everything
There was a minor scare along the way: on July 6, a fire broke out on the seventh floor of one of the towers, in the technical roof area, destroying a large portion of the air conditioning systems. Firefighters brought it under control in three hours, with no injuries and no damage to the artworks —they hadn’t been moved there yet. The archives center for the Architecture section, however, suffered water damage. The verdict: the November 28 opening will go ahead as planned, but Kanal Architecture will open only partially, featuring its bookstore, library, and workshops.
📍 Address: Square Sainctelette 21, 1000 Brussels
📆 Opening date: November 28, 2026
