Charles Rogier Square


Charles Rogier Square, is a major square in the Brussels municipality of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. It is named in honour of Charles Rogier, a former Prime Minister of Belgium who played a great political role during the Belgian Revolution of 1830.
The square is located on the transition between Brussels' historic city centre and the Northern Quarter business district, an exponent of modern Brussels. It is an important communication node in the city both in terms of road network and public transport. Many hotels, offices and shops adjoin it. Rue Neuve/Nieuwstraat, Belgium's second busiest shopping street, also ends there. It is served by the metro and premetro station Rogier.

History

Early history

The square was originally known as the Place des Nations or the Place de Cologne. In 1885, following the death of the liberal statesman and former Prime Minister of Belgium Charles Rogier, it was renamed in his honour.
Until 1952, the original Brussels-North railway station was located on Rogier Square. With the commissioning of the North–South connection, this terminus station was replaced, further north, by the current transit station. The old station building was demolished in 1955. The Rogier International Center, also called the Martini Tower, was erected in 1960 on the former site of the station, and housed the National Theatre of Belgium until 1999. The building was demolished in 2001, and replaced by the Rogier Tower.

Redevelopment (2008–2017)

In 2006, the Brussels-Capital Region decided to completely redevelop the square. The renovation lasted from 2008 to 2017, with most of the work carried out in 2013–2015. The project was the subject of an international architectural competition, with some of the entrances to the metro station also being opened and renovated.
Above the station, a large parasol-shaped translucent awning was built according to plans by the architect Xaveer De Geyter. The construction weighs 200 tonnes and has a diameter of.

Location and accessibility

Rogier Square lies at the conjunction of Avenue du Boulevard/Bolwerklaan to south with two smaller streets on its northern side; Rue du Progrès/Vooruitgangstraat and Rue de Brabant/Brabantstraat. Additionally, two sides streets lead into it from the north-west and north-east; Rue des Croisades/Kruisvaartenstraat and Rue Saint-Lazare/Sint-Lazarusstraat.

Notable buildings

Rogier Square is home to an important architectural heritage: