EU plans over €1 billion revamp of ageing Brussels headquarters

The European Union is considering a €1.1 billion renovation of one of its main power centres in Brussels, internal documents stated. The project would see a major overhaul of the Council of the EU’s Justus Lipsius headquarters — the site where European diplomats convene thousands of times a year to negotiate new legislation.

The proposed investment comes amid a period of fiscal restraint across the continent and tense negotiations over the EU’s next seven-year budget, with countries such as Germany ruling out further spending increases, Euractiv reports.

In documents seen by Euractiv, the Council argues that a “profound” renovation is necessary to bring the 30-year-old Justus Lipsius building into compliance with EU energy standards. Situated directly across from the European Commission’s headquarters in Brussels’ EU quarter, the building “already falls within the category of worst performing buildings,” one of the documents states.

Security concerns are also driving the project. The documents cite the need for “better blast protection,” noting that threats have increased since the 1990s.

The Council currently operates out of three buildings in central Brussels: the Justus Lipsius, the more modern Europa building — inaugurated in 2017 and now used for EU leaders’ summits — and the nearby LEX building. According to Euractiv’s Rapporteur newsletter, the Council intends to consolidate its operations into a two-building campus.

The renovation of the Justus Lipsius is expected to cost €803 million, with officials assuming that €65 million could be recouped through the sale of the LEX building. However, the Council — which brings together national diplomats and ministers — has yet to decide how to finance the project.

Two main options are under consideration: an increase in the Council’s budget or a loan, which would also require a budget boost to cover repayments. The Council notes that these two financing options could be combined. Should a loan be taken out, interest payments are estimated to add over €300 million to the total, bringing the full cost of the project to more than €1.1 billion.

The Council is expected to present financing recommendations to EU ambassadors by the end of the year or early next year. The initial phase would cover the tendering process, a detailed feasibility study, and the formal building permit application to Brussels authorities.

Following four years of preparatory work, construction is slated to begin in 2029 and continue until 2035, with the renovated building reopening the following year. So far, “no major objections” have been raised by member states regarding the current plan, one document notes.

By Vafa Guliyeva