The former Raymond Mallien fur factory redeveloped thanks to VDD Project Development
The former Mallien fur factory, one of the jewels of the Grand Sablon in Brussels, is to be given a permanent lease of life. VDD Project Development, a property developer specialising in the restoration of historic sites, is the new shareholder of the Sablon NV heritage company, which owns the iconic building. The developer's aim is to make the Grand Sablon 40 an essential meeting place in Brussels.
This prestigious building, located at number 40 place du Grand Sablon in Brussels, on the corner of Petite rue des Minimes, was built in 1920 at the request of the former "Manufacture de Fourrures Raymond Mallien". At the time, Raymond Mallien, the king of the Belgian fur industry, enjoyed a fine reputation as far afield as Paris, and wanted to set up his salesrooms and fur workshops in a majestic building overlooking the Grand Salon. At the time, this square was actively frequented by the wealthy bourgeoisie of the Roaring Twenties.
The building was designed by architects Victor Diricks and Jacques Barbotin in the lush Beaux-Arts style, strongly influenced by the neo-Louis XIV style. The workshops were located on the upper floors, while the ground floor was given over to sales and fitting rooms for the factory's wealthy customers. Lavishly decorated, the salons were furnished with numerous mirror cabinets, stained glass windows, chandeliers, figurative paintings and romantic murals depicting fur-bearing animals.
In 1971, the imposing building was occupied by the Musée des Postes et Télécommunications. In 2003, it was refurbished as an auction room for the highly reputed Pierre Bergé auction house, a former companion of the late couturier Yves Saint Laurent. In 2006, the building was listed as a historic monument, confirming its status as a timeless symbol of Brussels' heritage. Empty for a number of years, the building has remained in good condition.
VDD Project Development plans to create a hospitality project in this impressive 4200 square metre corner building, making the most of the building's historic architectural features. Over the coming months, VDD will take the time to choose the right concept, possibly in collaboration with an (inter)national player.
We want to give this heritage site, located at an emblematic address on the Grand Sablon, between the historic centre and the upper town of Brussels, an exceptional future use. It must become a legendary and unmissable place when visiting Brussels. The building will become a meeting place and a place to exchange ideas. We were completely won over by this exceptional building a few years ago, and we're delighted to be able to include it in our portfolio.
While we await the necessary permits and in order to give the building a temporary infill, we are looking for tenants. If interested, reach out to us via hello@vddprojectdevelopment.com
Fourth VDD project in Brussels
Grand Sablon 40 is VDD Project Development's fourth project in Brussels. The imposing building on the Grand Sablon follows in the footsteps of other VDD projects: "de Mérode" in the Tenbosch Park in Ixelles; "The Dome", the conversion of the former Actiris building on the Place de la Bourse; and "Gesù", the conversion of the former Jesuit convent in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, where the sale of apartments will soon commence.