In the heart of the North district, a spectacular transformation has just reshaped the Brussels skyline. Built in the 1970s, the iconic World Trade Center towers have embarked on a radical new chapter. Renamed ZIN, this iconic complex has reinvented itself as a true vertical village combining residential units, offices, a hotel, and green spaces. A visionary and eco-friendly architectural endeavor that is propelling Brussels onto the international stage: honored at the “Skyscraper Oscars,” the ZIN project has just been named the best skyscraper in Europe and the world. From the WTC towers’ past to this international success, discover the story of an exceptional urban renaissance.
From the Manhattan Plan to the vertical village: the incredible story of the North District’s transformation
Designed in the late 1960s as part of the “Manhattan Plan,” the World Trade Center towers were intended to embody Brussels’ new business center. Over the decades, these imposing structures long symbolized the capital’s modernist, office-oriented urban planning. But as time went on, the North District felt the need to reinvent itself. It was from this realization that ZIN was born—a large-scale project aimed at transforming the former Towers 1 and 2 into a mixed-use, sustainable complex.
Spanning over 110,000 m², ZIN breaks the mold by creating a true “vertical village” where work, housing, and neighborhood life intersect. The complex includes 75,000 m² of innovative office space, 111 contemporary apartments, a 200-room hotel (The Standard, Brussels), and a public greenhouse serving as a community gathering place. A model of environmental sustainability, the project preserved more than 65% of the original structure, making it a benchmark for circular construction.
The ZIN Project: The International Triumph of Brussels Architecture
The transformation of the former WTC towers has not only won over the people of Brussels; it has literally captivated the most prestigious international juries. At the prestigious CVU Awards in Toronto (often compared to the “Skyscraper Oscars”), ZIN prevailed against top-tier competition from Dubai, Singapore, Sydney, and Amsterdam. The project won the titles of Best Tall Building in Europe and Best Tall Building (100–199 meters), before receiving the ultimate accolade: the title of World’s Best Tall Building 2025.
This global recognition continued with the award of the 2026–27 International High-Rise Award, one of the world’s most prestigious honors. Competing against more than a thousand international projects, Befimmo’s development has thus joined a very exclusive circle alongside iconic projects such as the Bosco Verticale in Milan and the Via 57 West tower in New York. This international triumph proves that large-scale adaptive reuse combined with high aesthetic standards can make Brussels a model of urban planning for the 21st century.
