On Wednesday 8th July 2020, the Belgian Buildings Agency and AG Real Estate presented the new Namur Courthouse to the building’s future occupants, the judicial services.
On Wednesday 8th July 2020, the Belgian Buildings Agency and AG Real Estate presented the new Namur Courthouse to the building’s future occupants, the judicial services.
With the standstill period now over, AG Real Estate was officially awarded the contract for the financing, redesign, construction and commissioning of the Courthouse.
A visual presentation of the future 34,600 m² complex that will be built on the former site of the “Casernes Léopold” took place in the great hall of the Court of Assizes in the old courthouse.
“I am delighted that the construction of the new Namur Courthouse can finally start thanks to this public-private partnership. This much-needed investment will provide the jurisdictions of Namur with a modern, high-quality and secure accommodation that addresses their needs. I would also like to acknowledge the patience of the judicial authorities of Namur and of the magistracy in particular, who have followed the preparation of this project closely and with understanding.” commented Laurent Vrijdaghs, General Administrator of the Belgian Buildings Agency.
To assist them in the implementation of this approach, AG Real Estate has selected two trusted partners: CIT Blaton and BPC (one of the subsidiaries of CFE).
Xavier Denis – Chief Development Officer at AG Real Estate, explains with enthusiasm: “AG Real Estate has expertise in the field of DBFM (Design, Build, Finance & Maintain) thanks to our “Scholen van Morgen” programme that will provide 133,000 Dutch-speaking pupils with more than 150 new modern and secure infrastructures in less than 7 years. Now more than ever, our aim is to walk alongside the public authorities to redesign the city of tomorrow together to address its occupants’ needs.”
The objective is to deliver the entire construction in the 36 months following the notice to proceed. The work should begin in September 2020 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
The Belgian Buildings Agency will sign an 18 year-lease with an option to purchase.
The occupants
« A modern Justice requires an adequate logistical framework. » says Jean-Paul Janssens, President of the FPS Justice
The relocation of the departments of the FPS Justice to the new building is planned for 2023.
It concerns the Court of Assizes, the Court of First Instance, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Juvenile Prosecution Service, the Police Court, the Labour Tribunal and Court, the Labour Auditorate, the Commercial Court, the Justice of the Peace and the Bar.
This complex will also accommodate the new DAB service (Security division) of the Federal Police and the criminal section of the Dinant division of the judicial district of Namur (in practice: the examining magistrates, the deliberation room and the criminal court).
A resolutely modern architectural vision
This future complex will be built around the “salle des pas perdus” (main entrance hall). This public space, whose main perspective will be directed towards the urban park implanted in its axis, will provide a direct pedestrian connection to the city centre.
The Courts of Justice will be situated on both sides of this hall, which will be covered by a magnificent glass roof filling it with light. The Courthouse will have 14 courtrooms, spread over the east and west wings, as well as a Court of Assizes. The upper floors will be reserved for staff and magistrates’ offices. They will also be connected to the courtrooms via a private and secure circulation. Those rooms will be separated by various patios offering large skylights. The underground car park will be reserved for staff only.
The entire project falls within an environmentally friendly approach and will meet high energy performance criteria.
“Namur Innovative. Cultural. Generous. Attractive.”
The construction of the new Courthouse is part of a broader qualitative urban development programme led by the city of Namur under the slogan “Namur Innovative. Cultural. Generous. Attractive.” Quentin Dupuis – Development Officer at AG Real Estate, confirms: “The awarding of this public procurement contract is the culmination of a revaluation of the barracks block, which will enable the different actors at its heart to create an entirely new district providing various residential, cultural, professional and social functionalities. This new space aims to make the district a good place in which to live and work.”
Some key numbers
- Total area; 34,600 m²
- Courtrooms: 14
- Courts of Assizes: 1
- Parking places: 79
- Number of floors: GF+4
- Start of the works: 09.2020
- Duration of the works: 36 months
- Commissioning of the building: 2023
- Term of the lease: 18 years
Technical data sheet
- Contracting authority: Belgian Buildings Agency
- Future occupant: FPS Justice and Federal Police
- Property developer: AG Real Estate
- Multidisciplinary design office:
- The AdP² joint venture consisting of the architect firm AUPA, the Atelier d’architecture de Genval and CERAU
- Consultancy offices Bgroup - GREISCH and Socotec
- Area of the site: 3 ha 61 acres
- Net area of the Courthouse: 34 600 m²
- Duration of the works: 2020 - 2023
- Term of the lease: 18 years (with an option to purchase at the end of the lease)
- Annual rent: €6.5 million
About AG Real Estate
AG Real Estate, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AG Insurance, is an integrated property operator active in Belgium, France, Luxembourg and on certain select European markets with expertise in different lines of business: Asset & Property Management, Development & Construction Management, PPP and real estate financing, as well as in Car Park Management through its subsidiary Interparking.
A company active in urban real estate, AG Real Estate has more than 250 employees with varied profiles and areas of expertise.
With a portfolio of more than €6.5 billion under management for its own account and on behalf of third parties, AG Real Estate is endeavouring to provide a responsible response to new urban needs and to implement a sustainable development policy as to make its projects even more meaningful.
About the Belgian Buildings Agency
The Belgian Buildings Agency is the real estate manager of the Belgian federal state. They provide federal officials with a high-quality work environment and work for the preservation of the federal architectural and historic heritage.
Their extensive real estate portfolio represents 983 complexes (6.9 million m2), of which 2/3 are owned by the Federal State and 1/3 is rented. Please consult their website for more information: www.regiedesbatiments.be.
Press Contact
Johan Vanderborght (FR/NL) + 32 (0)2 541 65 05 | + 32 (0)479 31 26 91
Catherine Cardoso Nunes (FR) +32 (0)495 21 06 86
