Cohabs transforms the historical and architectural Passage du Nord in Brussels into a unique coliving space
Cohabs, a leader in the coliving industry, is reopening the doors of the iconic Passage du Nord. Nestled in the heart of Brussels, next to the majestic Place de Brouckère, Passage du Nord stands as a testament to timeless elegance and architectural grandeur.
After years of planning and renovating, this beautifully restored landmark now features 60 fully furnished bedrooms across four units, each with its own kitchen, lounge, and dining room. Additionally, each unit has its own cinema rooms perfect for movie nights, a peaceful coworking space, and plenty of space for new members to hang out. The gym and the open-roof terrace on the fourth floor offering a wonderful view of the Brussels cityscape are shared with the 60 members.
Located within walking distance to Gare Central, La Monnaie, and several other Brussels hotspots, Passage du Nord now offers a unique coliving experience in the heart of the city, perfectly blending history and contemporary living.
Cohabs is a coliving community network specializing in providing furnished homes with private bedrooms and shared living spaces. Cohabs opened their first house in Brussels with 9 members in 2016 and today their network consists of more than 100 houses around the world with a community of 1300+ members. Cohabs is expanding fast and will open a further 25 homes this year, including in Washington and Marseille.
They created a network of shared homes where people can have a new experience of living together. Cohabs is dedicated to enhancing the well-being and happiness of its members by creating a comfortable and cozy environment with stylish design and by giving opportunities for connection within a vibrant community. Coliving is an affordable, sustainable, and community-focused response to societal problems such as rent increase, environmental pollution, and loneliness. Cohabs' mission is to rethink how people live together by giving its community an environment designed to create memorable moments.
A history worth protecting
Passage du Nord has always been a place where communities gathered. Since its inception in 1881 by architect Henri Rieck, it has been a commercial and social hub with a lavish glass roof and elegant ironwork, a bustling center for luxury and everyday shopping set in the heart of Brussels. Over the years, the city’s needs evolved, and the stunning arcade was adapted to include a hotel and a movie theater. Despite changes in tenants, it has always retained its charm and importance as a historical landmark.
Located right in the centre of Brussels, the Passage du Nord is one of the best-preserved buildings from the last quarter of the 19th century. The front facade overlooking Place de Brouckère, the rear facade overlooking Rue Neuve 40-44, and the interior facades - including the caryatids, the footbridge and the cast-iron lamps, the paving and the glass roof - were listed by decree of the Brussels-Capital Region Government on 8 September 1994. Once a museum, then an extension of the neighbouring Hôtel Métropole, then a conference centre in the 1990s, the Passage du Nord is now preparing for a new life in a revitalised city centre. The use of the ground and mezzanine floors as retail premises has remained unchanged since the original building was constructed, encouraged by the recent high-quality restoration of all the interior facades.
The upper floors, on the other hand, were deprived of their original decor at a very early stage and underwent several transformations, and have been awaiting a new use for many years.
Renovation to redefine a new era
Supported by funding from Brussels, this ambitious project, overseen by Atelier d'Architecture du Congrès, involved a diverse team of experts, including specialists in heritage frames, facades, rooftops, and artisans who restored the historic domes.
The coliving programme allows the original volumes and structures to be maintained, or even restored, to a large extent, in order to accommodate private and communal spaces, enhanced by a patio and a rooftop with panoramic views over the city centre. This highly appropriate new use will finally breathe new life into the floors of a building that is difficult to live in, but has remarkable architecture.
The historic gallery also gets back its two domes - which were destroyed in 1910 - to embellish the building, which has been part of Brussels' exceptional heritage since 1995. The domes will also be used to create living spaces to complement the accommodation recreated on the upper floors of the gallery. The project reallocates the upper floors, which have been derelict for years, transforming them into co-living spaces.
The restoration balanced the original architectural details with contemporary needs, incorporating structural changes like new high ceilings and an elevator, all while meeting modern energy and safety standards. The team has been painstakingly careful while preserving the building’s heritage and creating a coliving space for new memories and stories.
The project revitalized a long-abandoned structure, showcasing Cohabs' dedication to preserving its historical essence. The design of Passage du Nord respects its Néo Classic heritage while aligning with Cohabs' sustainable values. Extensive common areas with high ceilings and units combine history and modernity, inspired by local Belgian artists and cultural references. The preserved stained glass and vintage features are seamlessly integrated, making this a significant addition to Brussels' architectural scene.
Opening on 12 September
Cohabs is organising an event to celebrate the opening of Passage du Nord on September 12th.
Please confirm your attendance to the opening party on September 12, 2024 by emailing to albane@clubparadis.be
If you wish to visit on another date or time, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Contact
For media inquiries, please contact:
Albane Paret
Club Paradis
+32 (0)476 57 37 82
albane@clubparadis.be
Images
The façade of Passage du Nord (download here)
Images of Cohabs passage du Nord
About Cohabs
Cohabs was founded in 2016 by three Belgian entrepreneurs: Youri Dauber, François Samyn, and Malik Dauber. Cohabs is an integrated coliving platform that both owns and operates its real estate assets.
They provide a comprehensive experience through fully furnished, premium accommodations. The company has a current portfolio of 3.000 bedrooms across seven cities (Brussels, Paris, New York, Madrid, London, Milan, and Luxembourg) and a passionate international team of 90+ employees.
Driven by a community-first approach, Cohabs prioritizes the experience of its members through a tech-centric and flexible process.
Cohabs is committed to limiting its impact on the environment by focusing on a global sustainable approach and strives every day to shape a better tomorrow.