La Tricoterie

La Tricoterie is one of the most unusual cultural venues in Saint-Gilles, a district just south of central Brussels. It occupies a former industrial building that, over more than a century, housed a pasta factory, then a shoe factory, and finally a furniture workshop before industrial activity on the site came to an end. Rather than demolishing the old complex, a group of local residents chose to give it a second life as a social and cultural hub — and that community-driven approach is what sets La Tricoterie apart from a typical theatre or concert hall.

Where does the name come from and how did the place start?

The project was launched by Xavier Campion and Joëlle Yana, who in 2010 set out to build a place that would combine culture, food and neighbourhood life under one roof. Instead of a conventional cultural institution, La Tricoterie was structured from the start as a cooperative: local residents become shareholders, contributing financially to the project and having a say in how it develops. The model proved effective, with the number of cooperators growing steadily over the years and forming a lasting community around the venue.

What can visitors find in the former factory today?

The renovated complex, spanning more than a thousand square metres, deliberately preserves the industrial character of the building — bare walls, metal structures and tall factory halls still recall its manufacturing past, giving cultural events a distinctive backdrop. The site today includes a restaurant serving dishes made from local, seasonal ingredients, a performance hall used for theatre and unamplified live music, and additional spaces for private events and community gatherings.

How has the venue grown over the years?

La Tricoterie's development didn't stop at its first stage. A separate theatre room was added later, dedicated to intimate performances and acoustic concerts. The real turning point came in 2021, when the organisation launched a major fundraising campaign under the banner of a "new beginning," aiming to buy the last remaining, previously inaccessible part of the old factory complex — an approximately 800-square-metre building next to the section acquired in 2010. The campaign drew a strong response: the number of cooperators multiplied several times over, and the funds raised exceeded half a million euros.

What came out of this expansion?

The new wing was officially inaugurated in September 2022. At its centre is a room called the Boudoir, an intimate performance space seating around 150 people, designed for classical music, light unamplified music and theatre. The expansion gave La Tricoterie not only extra floor space but also a new range of events it could host, reinforcing its position as one of the key cultural meeting points in southern Brussels.

Frequently asked questions

What was La Tricoterie before it became a cultural venue? The building had an industrial past, having housed a pasta factory, a shoe factory and a furniture workshop, before more than a century of production gave way to a cultural and social project.

Who is behind the project? The venue was founded by Xavier Campion and Joëlle Yana in 2010 and has operated ever since as a cooperative involving local residents as shareholders.

What can you do there besides watching a show? Alongside the theatre and concert hall, the complex includes a restaurant and spaces dedicated to private events and community gatherings.

What is the Boudoir? It is a new, intimate performance room seating around 150 people, opened in 2022 after the complex's expansion, dedicated to classical music, acoustic performances and theatre.