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Heritage developer VDD Project Development has presented plans for the long-awaited redevelopment of the Sint-Agneteklooster, later known as the Industrial School, in the centre of Ghent to the neighbourhood. VDD acquired the site in December 2021 following a public sale organised by the former owner, "GO! Gemeenschapsonderwijs". The plans were drawn up by British David Chipperfield Architects, which was awarded the Pritzker Prize, also known as the "Nobel Prize for Architecture", in 2023. This in collaboration with ATAMA architects and the restoration architects of aNNo. The internationally renowned Bureau Bas Smets was responsible for the design of the surroundings. This ambitious project came about after a thorough preliminary process and extensive consultation with the city departments involved, the Quality Chamber and the "Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed".

Close to the Botanic Gardens and the historic city centre, a new future for the iconic - but neglected - Gesù site has been sought for some 40 years. After years of vacancy and unsuccessful plans, developers VDD Project Development and REDET, and hospitality concept YUST unveiled the plans of their innovative redevelopment project "Royal Botanic" and the starting signal for the works was given.