Quai des Matériaux - Materialenkaai

Quai des Matériaux – Materialenkaai is a canal-side park in the Tour & Taxis district of Brussels, built on a former industrial quay along the Brussels Canal. Its name — "Quai des Matériaux" in French and "Materialenkaai" in Dutch — translates directly to "Materials Quay" in both languages, a straightforward reference to the site's original purpose.

Where does the name come from?

The quay was formally laid out by the City of Brussels on 15 January 1909, during a period of intense expansion of the canal's port infrastructure. Before that, the stretch of bank was undeveloped land linked to the construction of the Jonction Dock (today's Béco Dock), completed in 1905. The quay's creation was part of a broader plan to expand the river port to serve the needs of a rapidly growing city.

How was the quay used?

True to its name, Quai des Matériaux served for decades as a hub for unloading, storing, and distributing building materials — timber, sand, stone, and other raw resources needed to construct modern Brussels. Its position directly on the canal made it a key logistics point, allowing goods to be transferred easily from barges to carts and, later, trucks. From the end of the quay's first decade of existence until 2013, construction-related businesses lined its length, erecting warehouses, storage yards, and offices that gave this part of Tour & Taxis its distinctly industrial character.

What is there today?

After industrial activity ceased, the site underwent a thorough transformation. The former materials quay was converted into a modern public green space — a park inaugurated in November 2024. It quickly established itself as one of the notable additions to Brussels' network of green spaces, blending the site's industrial past with a new role centered on recreation and ecology. The redevelopment drew attention from the architecture and urban planning community, earning both the Brussels Architecture Prize and the Public Space Prize for its innovative, inclusive, and ecological approach to repurposing former industrial land.

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Quai des Matériaux / Materialenkaai mean? Literally "Materials Quay" — a reference to the site's former role as a storage and transit point for construction materials.

When was the quay created? It was officially laid out on 15 January 1909, as part of the expansion of port infrastructure along the Brussels Canal.

What was the quay used for before its redevelopment? From the early 20th century until 2013, it functioned as a logistics hub for the construction industry, storing timber, sand, stone, and other materials.

What is the site today? A modern public park, opened in November 2024, recognized with awards for its innovative and ecological redevelopment of former industrial land in the Tour & Taxis district.

Where exactly is it located? Along the Brussels Canal, within the Tour & Taxis district of Brussels.